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Passkeys Explained: How Passwordless Login Works

More services now support "passkeys," which let you log in using a fingerprint or face scan instead of a password. Here's how it works.

What is a passkey

An authentication method that lets you log in using a fingerprint, face recognition, or your device's screen unlock instead of a password. Based on a standard developed by the FIDO Alliance.

How public and private keys work

Registering a passkey creates a "private key" stored on your device, while only the matching "public key" is stored with the service. Because the private key never leaves your device, even if the service's data is breached, it's considered much harder to use that breach alone for unauthorized login.

Why it's considered resistant to phishing

A passkey only works with the genuine site or app it was registered to, which makes it far less vulnerable to the kind of damage that happens with passwords when someone is tricked into entering credentials on a fake site.

Using it across multiple devices

By linking with the password management features built into your smartphone or computer's OS, a passkey tied to the same account can sometimes be used across multiple devices.

Not every service supports it yet

Support is growing, but not every site or app supports passkeys yet, so using a traditional password alongside it is still necessary in some cases.

What fundamentally differs from a password

A password verifies identity by having you type a string of characters "only you know" — but that string always carries the risk of reuse or leaks. A passkey uses a key stored on your device instead, so there's fundamentally no string of characters to memorize or type at all.

What happens if you lose your device

Since the private key is stored on the device itself, recovery methods after losing a device vary by service and OS settings. In most cases, guidance is provided for restoring account access using another device or a backup mechanism — checking each service's recovery process in advance is reassuring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does using a passkey eliminate the need for passwords entirely?

For services that support it, you can log in with a passkey alone — but many services still don't support it, so using both together will remain common for a while.

Is using a passkey free?

There's generally no extra charge just for using a passkey. That said, support and setup vary by service and OS, so it's worth checking the specific guidance for the service you want to use.