Most people have more online accounts than they can comfortably keep track of. Email, banking, shopping, social media, work tools, streaming services, and cloud storage can all demand a password. Reusing one password makes life easier—until a breach or phishing scam puts several accounts at risk.

Passkeys are designed to make signing in simpler while reducing some of the weaknesses built into passwords. They are already supported by major operating systems, browsers, and many online services. You do not need to understand cryptography to use one, but knowing what a passkey does—and what it does not do—can help you protect your accounts more confidently.

What a passkey is and why it is different

A passkey is a digital sign-in credential connected to a specific website or app. Instead of typing a password, you approve the login using the security method on your device, such as a fingerprint, face scan, device PIN, or screen lock. Depending on the service and the passkey provider, the credential may be securely synchronized across your devices or stored on a particular device or hardware security key.

The important difference is that a passkey uses a cryptographic key pair. The website stores a public key, while the private key stays protected by your device or passkey provider. During sign-in, the website sends a challenge and your device proves that it holds the matching private key. You do not type a reusable secret into a login page.

That design helps defend against common phishing tricks. A fake website cannot simply collect a passkey the way it can collect a password typed into a convincing-looking form. The FIDO Alliance explains that passkeys are tied to the account’s website or app and are designed to provide phishing-resistant sign-in: FIDO Alliance’s passkey overview.

Passkeys are not magic, however. A compromised device, a poorly protected recovery process, or someone gaining access to your unlocked phone can still create risk. You should keep your devices updated, use a strong device passcode, and understand how each important account can be recovered if your phone is lost.

A password manager can still be useful. It can store unique passwords for services that do not yet support passkeys, help you generate strong passwords, and organize recovery information. CISA’s mobile communications guidance recommends using a password manager and protecting important accounts with additional safeguards. Read its mobile communications best-practices guidance.

How to start using passkeys safely

Start with the accounts that matter most: your primary email, password manager, financial accounts, cloud storage, and social accounts used for work or business. Email deserves special attention because it is often the recovery route for other services. If someone takes over your email, they may be able to reset passwords elsewhere.

Open the official app or type the service’s known web address yourself. Visit its account security or sign-in settings and look for an option labeled passkeys, passwordless sign-in, or security keys. Follow the service’s instructions to create a passkey using your phone, computer, or supported password manager. Avoid creating a passkey from a link in an unexpected message; go to the service directly instead.

Before relying on a passkey, check the recovery options. Confirm that you have a secure way to access the account if you lose your phone, replace your computer, or cannot use your usual biometric sign-in. Some services allow multiple passkeys, trusted devices, or hardware security keys. Others may still require a recovery email, phone number, or backup method. Keep those recovery routes current and protect them as carefully as the account itself.

For high-value accounts, consider enabling the strongest sign-in options the service offers. A hardware security key may be appropriate for people who manage business accounts, public profiles, financial systems, or sensitive information. If you use multi-factor authentication, prefer methods that are resistant to phishing where available. Do not approve unexpected login prompts, and never share one-time codes with someone who contacts you.

If a service does not support passkeys yet, use a unique password generated by a password manager and turn on multi-factor authentication. Avoid reusing passwords across websites. If you suspect that a password has been exposed, change it on that service and anywhere else it was reused. You can also review our guide to recognizing online scams to spot messages that try to steal login details.

Passkeys are a meaningful improvement because they reduce the number of secrets people must remember and make many common phishing attacks harder. The safest approach is not to switch everything blindly. Start with your most important accounts, understand recovery before you need it, keep devices updated, and maintain a secure backup method.