If at any point you suspect someone else can access your account, or if you lose the only device that the passkey is stored on, you can revoke passkeys in the Google account settings. Once you've done this, you will be asked to place your fingerprint on your device as you normally would to unlock it, at which point the passkey will be created. You will be asked to select 'Continue' to set one up for the device you are using, or 'Use another device' for a different one. They will also be able to share it to other devices from the OS using services such as iCloud or password managers like Dashlane and 1Password.Įnter your password to access your account, then click 'Create a passkey'. Users can create and store a passkey on any compatible device they use – such as iPhones running iOS16 and Android devices running Android 9. This reduces the need for people to remember a wide range of username and password combinations to log in to different services, which has often led to passwords being reused across multiple accounts.Įxperts have previously warned that this is one of the biggest security risks in the digital world.

This is a feature already in place for Apple devices, where someone wearing an Apple Watch can unlock a phone or MacBook. The tech giants said the new system also allows people to use a fingerprint or facial scan authentication on their smartphone as a way of signing in on another device nearby, regardless of which operating system or browser they are running. It was created by industry body the FIDO (Fast Identity Online) Alliance and World Wide Web Consortium, with Google, Apple and Microsoft the primary drivers. Ebay, PayPal and Docusign are already using the passkey, too, along with a number of other businesses.

Full Exposure by Amy Jo Cousins