Today, Google Account users worldwide received passkeys. A year ago, Google, Apple, Microsoft, and the FIDO Alliance agreed to enable seamless passwordless logins across devices, operating systems, and browsers.
Multi-factor authentication and password managers increase username/password security, but they have drawbacks. For example, For example, SMS authentication codes can be intercepted, and third-party password management software might be a burden.
Passkeys allow users to login into websites and applications using the same biometrics or screen-lock PIN they use to unlock their smartphones. Since bad actors need physical access to the user’s device, remote account access is harder.
Google, Apple, and Microsoft embraced FIDO’s passwordless sign-in standard but had to sign into each website or app with each device before using it. However, since the alliance, the trio has implemented the standard across their browsers (e.g., Edge, Safari, and Chrome) and operating systems (Android, MacOS, and Windows). This implies a Windows laptop user may access their Google Account with an iPhone passkey.
Apple added passkey support to iOS in September, allowing iPhones to log into any compatible website or app. In addition, in October, PayPal, Shopify, Kayak, and Docusign supported iOS passkey.
Google Account users can utilize passkeys now. Logging into Google Accounts activates passkeys, although passwords and other multi-factor authentication options are still available. Google stated that Workspace admins could activate passkeys for their users “soon.”