Everything you need to know about google making passkeys the default sign in option for all personal google accounts
A new security update from Google has made passkeys the default method of logging into personal accounts. All of the main web browsers and operating systems, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and ChromeOS, support the feature, which can be configured on any device with a Google account.
Ankush Pandey
INTRO
- Passkeys are now the standard way to log in to all personal Google accounts.
- Passkeys can be configured by users using their Google account.
- Passkeys allow you to sign in using a PIN, fingerprint, or face scan by substituting a digital key for passwords.
Google has declared that all personal Google accounts across all of its platforms and services will now be authenticated using passkeys by default. Users can now access their Google accounts without entering a password or utilising 2-Step Verification (2SV) after you have set up a passkey connected to a device.
Google claims that passkeys are an easy and safe way to replace conventional passwords. In May 2022, the California-based tech behemoth first unveiled passkeys, and in October 2022, Chrome and Android OS both began to support them. Google extended passkey support to individual Google accounts in May 2023. Notably, Passkeys work with Windows, macOS, iOS, ChromeOS, and all other major web browsers and platforms.
Passkeys are safer than passwords
Google emphasises that by substituting a distinct digital key connected to your account for conventional passwords, passkeys provide a more secure option. Passkeys eliminate the need for users to commit passwords to memory. Instead, they can use their fingerprint, face scan, device screen lock, or PIN to access their Google account. Passkeys are also thought to be more successful in defending Google accounts against dangers like phishing.
Google has now made passkeys enabled by default, whereas they were previously optional. By encouraging users to generate passkeys to unlock accounts and devices using a fingerprint, face scan, or PIN number, Google is rendering passwords obsolete. Google said in a blog post, "We'll keep pushing the industry to switch to passkeys, which will make passwords rare and eventually outdated."
Google promises to keep supporting traditional passwords for the time being, and users can completely eliminate passkeys by turning off the "skip password when possible" feature on their account.
How Google passkeys work
WebAuthn is a cryptographic protocol that powers Google passkeys. A standard protocol called WebAuthn allows websites and applications to use the biometrics and PINs that are already present on users' devices to authenticate them.
Users must first create a passkey on their device before they can use it to log into a website or app. Any website or application that accepts passkeys can be accessed by using the passkey once it has been generated.
How to set up passkeys for your Google account
You must take the following actions in order to set up passkeys for your Google account:
- Go to Google.com/myaccount.
- Select Security.
- After scrolling down, select Passkeys.
- Click. Make a passkey, then proceed.
- Observe the instructions displayed on the screen.
- Unlock your gadget.
- Any Google website or app that accepts passkeys can be accessed by using the passkey you have created.
Notably, each device will require a unique passkey. Your device is prompted to sign a special challenge using the private key when you log in.
