How to Say Goodbye to Passwords: 5 Easy Ways to Use Passkeys

By now, you may have heard about passkeys—a more convenient and secure replacement for traditional passwords. With passkeys, you don’t need to remember complex combinations of numbers, letters, and symbols. They also offer an added layer of protection against phishing attacks, which is increasingly important given the rise in online scams.

While many people I talk to are enthusiastic about the idea of using passkeys, they often feel uncertain about how to start. Fortunately, it’s incredibly straightforward! The first step is deciding how you want to store your passkeys. Here’s a handy guide to the various options available:

1. Your smartphone. This is probably the easiest choice, particularly for those who use their phones more than computers. Most apps and browsers automate the process of creating passkeys on mobile devices, whether you’re using iOS or Android.
2. Your tablet. The experience with tablets is similar to that of smartphones. This can be a great alternative for anyone who leaves their tablet at home but is concerned about misplacing their phone along with all their passkeys.
3. Your PC. If you create a passkey on a Windows laptop or desktop, your computer will save it for you, making the process seamless.
4. A hardware security key. Devices like YubiKey or Google Titan Security Key not only serve as effective two-factor authentication tools but can also store your passkeys. Make sure your hardware key supports the FIDO2 protocol if it’s an older model!
5. Your password manager. While traditional passwords aren’t going away just yet, password managers will still be useful for storing passkeys. Just be cautious if you’re using a cloud-based manager; ensure your account is protected with a strong password to safeguard against breaches.

If you’re curious about how passkeys work, we have a comprehensive guide available, but in essence, all you need to do is create them and verify your identity using biometrics (like a fingerprint) or a PIN. This means they are highly secure and cannot be hacked, even in the event of a website breach.

The primary drawback? If you misplace the device where your passkeys are stored, you won’t be able to access them. However, this issue is easily manageable. While individual passkeys can’t be backed up (since each is unique), you can create additional passkeys on other devices, providing alternative log-in methods. Retaining an old password is also a practical backup, especially if you combine it with two-factor authentication for extra security.

Support for passkeys is on the rise. Leading services like Google, Apple, and Microsoft have already adopted this technology, along with major retailers such as Target and Best Buy. Although passkeys haven’t entirely replaced traditional passwords yet, those who’ve switched over some accounts to passkeys often find it significantly simplifies their online experience.