‘The Times of India’ brings you ‘Hack of the Day’ – a new weekday series of quick, practical solutions to everyday hassles. Each hack is designed to save you time, money or stress, using tools and features within your reach—from government websites to everyday apps. In simple terms, it’s simple fixes for smarter living.’It’s being said that the best way to keep your account safe is to use a complex password and do not repeat it for multiple accounts. But with so many profiles across social media platforms, office email, personal inbox and more, remembering a dozen complex passwords can be an absolute hassle. For a smarter, stress-free fix, you can make the switch to passkeys. Today, we are breaking down the simplest and most secure way to sign into your digital accounts completely password-free.
What is a Passkey and why use it
A passkey is a modern alternative to traditional passwords. Instead of typing long string of letters and numbers, a passkey lets you log into your accounts using the exact same secure methods people use to unlock their phones or computers:
- Your fingerprint
- A face scan
- Your device’s screen lock PIN or pattern
Unlike passwords, passkeys cannot be casually shared, copied, written down or accidentally handed over to a scammer, making your accounts virtually immune to phishing attacks.Furthermore, if you set up a passkey on a Google Account protected by 2-Step Verification, it automatically bypasses the second authentication step because unlocking your device already proves you own it. Best of all, your biometric data (like your fingerprint or face scan) stays safely stored on your physical device and is never shared over the web.
How to set up Passkeys
Before setting things up, ensure your hardware and browser meet these basic software requirements:
- Supported Computers: Windows 10, macOS Ventura, or ChromeOS 109 and above.
- Supported Phones: Android 9 or iOS 16 and above.
- Supported Browsers: Chrome 109, Safari 16, Edge 109, or Firefox 122 and above.
Turn on your phone or computer’s built-in screen lock.Enable Bluetooth on both devices if you plan to use your phone to log into a nearby computer.For Apple users (iPhone, iPad, Mac), ensure iCloud Keychain is active in your system settings.Avoid using Incognito/Private browsing mode when creating a passkey.
How to set up your Passkey
- Open your device browser and navigate to your Google Account settings.
- Click on the Security tab.
- Under sign-in section, select Passkeys.
Verify your current password to prove your identity.
- Select Create a passkey and follow the quick on-screen instructions provided by your operating system to link your device’s fingerprint scanner, face unlock, or PIN.
How to sign in using Passkey
Once the account is linked, logging in takes just a few seconds.
- Head to the sign-in page and enter your username.
- When you click or tap the username field, a list of your created passkeys will pop up.
- Tap the passkey you want to use and use your fingerprint, face scan, or PIN to instantly unlock your account.
Signing in on a computer using your phone:If you need to log into your account on a desktop computer using the passkey saved to your smartphone, follow these steps:
- Enter your username on the computer’s sign-in page.
- Click Try another way and choose Use your passkey.
- A QR code will appear on the computer screen.
- Ensure Bluetooth is turned on, then open your phone’s camera and scan the QR code.
- Tap Use passkey to sign in (or “Sign in with a passkey” on Apple devices) and verify your identity on your phone using your biometrics or PIN.
