Forget Passwords. Google rolls out secure passkeys. Here’s how to use it

Passkeys are the new passwords. Google has started rolling out the password replacement known as passkeys, the easiest and most secure way to sign in.

This step by the tech giant will take the pressure off people to create a unique password combining upper and lower case, numeric, and special character and the frustrating task of remembering it too. It will also protect against threats like phishing, scams, and poor password practices.

“For the first time, we’ve begun rolling out passkeys, the easiest and most secure way to sign in to apps and websites and a major step toward a passwordless future,” Google announced. The news comes nearly a year after Google, Apple, Microsoft and the FIDO Alliance announced a partnership to create the passwordless sign-in standards across devices and platforms.

What are Passkeys?

Passkeys are a more convenient and safer alternative to passwords and other sign-in systems like two-factor authorization (2FA) or one-time SMS codes. This is a new way to sign in to apps and website and works across all platforms and browsers.

With passkey, you can authenticate your account without having to enter a username, password, or provide any additional authentication factor.

Passkeys allow users to sign in by unlocking their computer or mobile device the same way they unlock their devices – with their fingerprint, face recognition or a screen lock PIN. The passkey are safer because it only exists on your device, not in the cloud.

How do I set up Google Passkey?

Passkeys for Google Accounts are available from May 3, 2023.  

• You can set up your Google Passkey at g.co/passkeys.
• If you have an Android phone already signed into Google account, you may have been automatically registered for a passkey and the device will be listed under Automatically created passkey. Tap the Use passkeys button to access it.
• If you don’t have any passkeys yet, tap Create a passkey > Continue. Follow the instructions. To complete the passkey creation, you may be required to unlock your device. When the pop-up appears, hit Continue.
• Follow any prompts and use whichever biometric your device asks to confirm your identity. Once you complete these steps, your passkey will be created for that device.

Google passkey requirements

Before you set up your Google passkeys, you must meet these requirements.

• For mobile devices, you must have at least iOS 16 or Android 9.
• For computer, MacOS Ventura or Windows 10 is required. Also, your web browser must be at least Chrome 109, Edge 109 or Safari 16.

What happens if I lose a device with passkey?

If you lost a device where you created a passkey or want to opt out of passkey, you can simply remove a device from your list of passkeys.

1. Go to your Google account.
2. Select Security in the left-hand column, and find How you sign in to Google. Then tap Passkeys.
3. Under Passkeys you created, tap X next to the passkey you want to delete.

To remove a passkey automatically created on your Android device, you need to remove the device from your Google Account.

1. Go to your Google Account.
2. On the left navigation panel, select Security.
3. Find Your devices panel and select Manage all devices.
4. Select the device > Sign out.