What Is a Passkey?

A passkey is a replacement for your website or app account password.

For example, with Windows 11, you might use theWindows Hellofunctionality to sign in to various services.

‘Security’ and ‘Passkeys and Security Keys’ highlighted on Google My Account site.

Passkeys have multiple advantages over passwords.

The main one is that, unlike passwords, it is borderline impossible to steal passkeys.

Another advantage is that passkeys are almost completely impervious to phishing.

‘Create a Passkey’ highlighted on Google My Account site.

What Platforms Support Passkeys?

Many popular sites and apps support passkeys, as this is a quick and convenient way to enter.

Some services that support this feature are:

You canfind a list of passkey-supported platforms on the Passkeys site.

A ‘Windows Security’ prompt for creating a passkey.

From there, youll create the key and then save it to your PC.

In this guide, well demonstrate how to do that with a Google account.

Begin by launching Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Brave web surfing app on your PC.

‘OK’ highlighted in the ‘Windows Security’ prompt.

Head toGoogles My Account siteand sign in to your account.

After logging in, from the left sidebar, select “Security.”

Google will likely prompt you to input your account password.

‘Sign In’ highlighted on Google.

Do so and continue.

When the following page opens, at the top, click “Create a Passkey.”

Youll see a “Windows Security” prompt.

The ‘Email or Phone’ field and the ‘Next’ button highlighted on Google’s login page.

Authenticate yourself using your PIN, facial recognition, or fingerprint scanning.

end the window by selecting “OK.”

And thats it.

Youve successfully created a replacement for your Google account password.

‘Try Another Way’ highlighted on Google’s password page.

Heres how to do that for a Google account.

LaunchGoogle.comand click “Sign In” in the top-right corner.

put in your Google account username and click “Next.”

‘Use Your Passkey’ highlighted on Google’s alternate password options.

On the password page, click “Try Another Way” to see alternate options.

Select “Use Your Passkey” to utilize the saved passkey to access to your account.

Select “Continue” and Google will trigger the “Windows Security” prompt.

‘Continue’ highlighted on Google’s passkey usage page.

After youve authenticated yourself, youll be signed in to your account.

In the left sidebar, click “Accounts.”

On the right pane, choose “Passkey options.”

A ‘Windows Security’ prompt for signing in to Google with a passkey.

On the “Passkeys” page, youll find a list of saved passkeys.

To retrieve a specific passkey, use the search box at the top.

In the open prompt, confirm your action by selecting “Delete.”

‘Accounts’ and ‘Passkey Settings’ highlighted in Windows 11 Settings.

Windows 11 has removed the chosen passkey from the database.

Remember toset up two-factor authenticationon all of your important accounts, too!

The search box and the saved passkeys highlighted in Windows 11 Settings.

‘Delete Passkey’ highlighted for a passkey in Windows 11 Settings.

‘Delete’ highlighted in the passkey removal prompt.