Passwords have become one of our biggest security weakness instead of protecting us. A decade of data breaches, hacks, and phishing attempts has changed what once kept us safe into a risk. What exactly is a passkey and why does it matter? It’s the password replacement you’ve been waiting for.
Research from Digital Shadows shows a staggering 6.7 billion unique username and password combinations exposed on the dark web. The tech industry is moving faster toward a passwordless future. Apple and Google have already updated their software to adopt passkey technology. Passkeys are different from traditional passwords because nobody can phish or steal them. The real advantage of passkeys over passwords is simple – you don’t need to remember multiple strings of characters, yet they’re much more secure. Passkeys use advanced cryptography that makes signing in easier and safer.
Below, we will covers everything about passkeys – from simple concepts to real-world use. You’ll be ready to step into the passwordless future that’s already here.
What is a passkey?
Passkeys have emerged as the next development in digital security. A passkey is a digital credential that uses your device’s built-in authentication methods to verify your identity when logging into websites and apps—you don’t need to remember or type any character strings.
Simple definition
A passkey replaces traditional passwords and lets you sign in the same way you unlock your device—with your fingerprint, face scan, PIN, or pattern. Your device handles the authentication automatically, so there’s no need to remember or type complex strings of characters.
Passkeys work like digital keycards to your online accounts. Your device creates two cryptographic keys when you set up a passkey—a private key stays safe on your device and a public key goes to the website or app. This split makes passkeys easier to use and much more secure than traditional passwords.
How passkeys differ from passwords
Passkeys and passwords have several key differences:
- Creation method: You create and remember passwords, while passkeys are cryptographic keys generated automatically.
- Security approach: Servers store passwords as shared secrets, making them vulnerable to breaches. Passkeys keep private keys only on your device, with no valuable data on servers.
- User experience: Passwords require typing complex strings. Passkeys need only your device’s biometrics or PIN.
- Phishing resistance: Fake websites can steal passwords. Passkeys work only with specific sites and apps, which makes them naturally phishing-resistant.
Passkeys also solve many common password problems. You never create, remember, or look them up—this makes them more convenient and secure.
Why passkeys are gaining popularity
People’s awareness and use of passkeys has grown significantly since their launch. A recent survey shows that 57% of people know about passkeys, up from 39% in 2022. About 62% of consumers have started using passkeys on at least one account.
Apple, Google, and Microsoft actively support passkeys through their work with the FIDO Alliance. 20% of the world’s top 100 websites now support passkeys as of mid-2025.
Online threats have pushed more people to adopt passkeys. This year, 53% of users reported seeing more suspicious messages and online scams. This increase has sparked interest in better ways to protect accounts.
How do passkeys work?
Passkeys may look simple on the surface, but powerful technology works behind the scenes to protect your accounts. Let’s see how this technology actually works.
Public key cryptography explained
Passkeys work their magic through public key cryptography, a system that dates back to the 1970s. Your device creates two mathematically linked keys for each account. The private key stays safe on your device while the public key goes to the website or app.
The login process is straightforward. A website sends a random challenge to your device. Your private key signs this challenge to prove who you are without revealing the actual key. This method is different from passwords because no secrets travel across servers or get stored on them.
Role of authenticators and devices
Authenticators handle your passkeys through hardware or software components. They come in two types:
- Platform authenticators: These are built right into your device (like Touch ID, Face ID, or Windows Hello)
- Roaming authenticators: These can be external devices (like security keys) or smartphones that work across multiple devices
Before a passkey can be used, authenticators check your identity using biometrics or PINs. This adds security without the need to remember complex passwords.
Device-bound vs synced passkeys
You’ll find passkeys in two main forms:
Device-bound passkeys stay put on the device or security key that created them. You can’t move them anywhere else. They’re super secure but not so convenient if you use multiple devices.
Synced passkeys live in credential managers (like Apple Passwords or Google Password Manager) and work across all your devices. These passkeys get encrypted before syncing, so you can access them from any device while staying secure.
Passkeys vs Passwords: Which are better?
The advantages of passkeys over traditional passwords are clear. Traditional password-based systems remain a big source of security vulnerabilities. Verizon’s 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report shows that phishing continues to grow over the last several years.
No need to remember anything
Passkeys eliminate the mental burden of password management. Users find it difficult to remember dozens of complex passwords, which leads to a frustrating experience and password fatigue. The typical user resets 3-4 passwords each month because they forget them.
Passkeys make this frustration disappear:
- Users don’t need to remember anything, which makes password resets almost non-existent
- Biometric login takes only 2-3 seconds compared to 12-15 seconds for typing passwords
- Your fingerprint, face scan, or device PIN verifies your identity
Phishing resistance and security
Phishing poses a massive threat—Microsoft blocks more than 4,000 password attacks every second. Passkeys are built to curb this problem. Each passkey links to specific domains and won’t work on fake websites.
No shared secrets or reuse risks
Passkeys eliminate several basic security risks that passwords face:
Passkeys resist database breaches because servers store only public keys. Attackers can’t use these public keys to sign in without the private keys stored on your devices, even if they steal the database.
Every passkey uses unique, strong encryption algorithms. This solves the password reuse problem—users often pick identical passwords across multiple sites.
Why 2FA is still vulnerable
Two-factor authentication greatly enhances security but has vulnerabilities that passkeys don’t. Fake sites can capture and forward your one-time codes from SMS or authenticator apps to real sites.
Only 28% of users activate MFA because of its complicated recovery processes and extra steps. Passkeys offer better security than traditional 2FA alone and match the simplicity of single-factor authentication. They combine something you have (your device) with something you are or know (biometric or PIN).
How to start using passkeys
Passkeys have quickly become accessible on everyday devices and platforms. In 2025, almost half of the world’s top 100 websites will use passkey technology. The time is right to start using this secure authentication method.
Which platforms support passkeys
You can use passkeys on all major operating systems and browsers:
- Operating Systems: Windows 10+, macOS Ventura (13)+, iOS/iPadOS 16+, Android 9+, and ChromeOS 109+
- Browsers: Chrome 109+, Safari 16+, Edge 109+, and Firefox (with ongoing improvements)
Google, Amazon, Microsoft, PayPal, Discord, GitHub, and many other popular sites already support passkeys.
How to create your first passkey
Each platform has a slightly different setup process:
- iPhone/iPad users will see a prompt to save a passkey with Face ID or Touch ID when signing up on supported sites
- MacOS users can set up passkeys through System Settings’ Passwords section
- Microsoft account holders can visit mysignins.microsoft.com, select “Add sign-in method,” and choose “Passkey”
- Android users will find passkey options in their Google account security settings
Using passkeys across devices
Passkeys offer seamless cross-device functionality. Your passkeys sync automatically across devices when stored in iCloud Keychain, Google Password Manager, or Windows Hello.
The process is simple for unlinked devices:
- The new device creates a QR code
- Your phone scans the code with your stored passkey
- You confirm with your biometric data or PIN
This nearby verification protects your passkey from remote attacks.
Tips for managing passkeys securely
Cloud sync through iCloud Keychain or Google Password Manager makes your passkeys available everywhere. You should remove passkeys from unused accounts. Also, your devices need regular updates for the latest security features and passkey improvements. Setting up recovery options like backup phone numbers helps you regain access if you lose your main device.
Conclusion
Passkeys mark a breakthrough in online security. They solve some of the core problems that plague traditional passwords. We’ve discussed how passkeys remove the need to remember complex character strings and provide better protection against phishing and data breaches. Passkeys prove that security and convenience can work together. The transition will take time as more services welcome this technology, but the benefits are worth it.
Complex passwords will soon be history. Passkeys give you a simpler, safer way to protect your digital life—and that future begins today.
Contact PTS for help implementing passkeys and improving your company’s cybersecurity posture today!
