Tired of all the hassle with passwords and 2FA? Then there’s finally some good news for you (and for me). The good news is: “Passkeys are coming instead of passwords.”
A passkey (in Dutch: sleutelcode) is a new and easy way to log in to websites or apps, without needing to remember a password. This blog aims to explain how that works.
In plain and simple language
Imagine you have a secret door to your favorite playground on the internet. In the past, you always had to type a password like Password123! to get in. But that’s annoying, because you have to remember it and no one else is allowed to know it.
With a passkey, you don’t need a password anymore. Your phone or computer knows who you are – for example, by using your fingerprint, showing your face, or entering a PIN. Once you do that, the door opens by itself.
Benefits of Passkeys Instead of Passwords
Easier (no need to remember anything),
Safer (because no one can guess your password),
And faster (you’re in right away).
A passkey is a smart digital key that works just for you, letting you log in securely without a password. So, passkeys are replacing passwords. Nice!
Now, for a slightly more formal explanation — though it quickly gets a bit technical:
A passkey is a modern and secure way to log in without using a password. Instead of typing something, you authenticate with something like your fingerprint, facial recognition, or a PIN that your device already knows.
Here’s how a passkey works:
A unique digital key is created that only works on your device.
When you want to log in to a website or app, your device checks if it’s really you.
Once confirmed, you’re logged in automatically — no password needed.
Advantages of a Passkey
No more remembering or writing down passwords.
It’s harder for others to pretend to be you.
Logging in is faster and more secure.
In short: a passkey makes online logins easier and safer. The YouTube video below explains it in English in just 4 minutes.
What are passkeys that replace passwords, according to Google?
‘The beginning of the end of the password’
Google
Passkeys offer a modern way to sign in to apps and accounts. They make the login process faster, simpler, and most importantly, more secure than using traditional passwords.
Many people don’t use unique or strong passwords and often fail to enable two-factor authentication. As a result, their accounts are easy targets for cybercriminals.
Passkeys change that: even if an attacker manages to obtain part of your digital key, it’s useless on its own.
So how does signing in with passkeys work instead of passwords?
Passkeys: A Technology on the Rise Although passkeys are still in their early stages, you can already use them on devices running at least iOS 16 or Android 9. If a website supports passkeys, a prompt will automatically appear to create one. Don’t ignore it — just follow the instructions.
No Prompt? If you don’t receive a prompt, check your device’s settings manually for the passkey option — setup is quick and easy.
Still in Its Early Stages
At the moment, only a limited number of websites and apps support passkeys. Think of major names like Apple, Google, Microsoft, eBay, and WhatsApp. However, the use of passkeys is expected to grow rapidly in the near future.
Below is an example of a website that offers the option to use a passkey.
If you choose “Sign in with a passkey”, you’ll need to already have one set up. While we won’t be using GitHub as the example here, the steps are listed below for completeness.
Creating a Passkey on a Windows 11 Device
There are two ways to do this: via a Microsoft account or a corporate (work) account. A Microsoft account includes addresses like Outlook.com or Hotmail.com, etc.
