How to Set Up a Passkey Instead of a Password
What is a Passkey?
A passkey is a modern replacement for passwords. Instead of typing a password to sign in, you use your fingerprint, face recognition, or device PIN to verify your identity. The passkey is stored securely on your device and is significantly harder to compromise through phishing emails or data breaches compared to traditional passwords.
Passkeys are now supported by Microsoft, Google, Apple, and many other services. They are considered more secure and more convenient than traditional passwords.
Why Switch to Passkeys?
More secure: Passkeys are highly resistant to guessing, leaking, and phishing attacks. There is no password for attackers to steal.
Faster sign-in: Instead of typing a password and then a two-factor code, you simply scan your fingerprint or face. One step.
No passwords to remember: You do not need to remember or manage a complex password.
Works across devices: Once set up, passkeys can sync across your phone, tablet, and computer through your Apple, Google, or Microsoft account.
Setting Up a Passkey for Your Microsoft Account
On Your Computer
- Go to myaccount.microsoft.com and sign in
- Click Security in the left menu
- Click Advanced security options
- Under Ways to sign in, click Add a new way to sign in or verify
- Select Face, fingerprint, PIN, or security key
- Follow the prompts to register your device's biometric (fingerprint or face)
- Your passkey is now saved
On Your Phone
- Open Settings on your phone
- Ensure you have a screen lock set up (fingerprint, face, or PIN)
- Open a browser and go to myaccount.microsoft.com
- Follow the same steps as above
- When prompted, authenticate with your fingerprint or face
- The passkey is stored on your phone
Signing In with Your Microsoft Passkey
- Go to any Microsoft sign-in page
- Enter your email address
- Instead of typing a password, click Sign in with a passkey or Use face, fingerprint, or PIN
- Authenticate with your biometric
- You are signed in
Setting Up a Passkey for Your Google Account
Step 1: Open Your Google Account Security
- Go to myaccount.google.com
- Click Security in the left menu
- Under How you sign in to Google, click Passkeys and security keys
- You may need to verify your identity first
Step 2: Create a Passkey
- Click Create a passkey
- Your browser will ask you to authenticate with your fingerprint, face, or device PIN
- Confirm the action
- Your passkey is now registered
Step 3: Signing In
- Go to any Google sign-in page
- Enter your email address
- Select Use passkey when prompted
- Authenticate with your fingerprint or face
- You are signed in
Setting Up Passkeys on iPhone
iPhones store passkeys in your iCloud Keychain, which means they sync across your Apple devices automatically.
- Make sure you are running iOS 16 or later
- Go to Settings > Passwords > Password Options
- Ensure iCloud Keychain is turned on
- When a website or app offers to create a passkey, follow the prompt
- Authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID
Setting Up Passkeys on Android
Android stores passkeys in your Google Password Manager, syncing across your devices.
- Make sure you are running Android 9 or later
- Ensure you have a screen lock set up (fingerprint, face, or PIN)
- When a website or app offers to create a passkey, follow the prompt
- Authenticate with your fingerprint or device PIN
What Happens to Your Old Password?
Setting up a passkey does not delete your old password immediately. You can still use your password as a backup. Over time, as you become comfortable with passkeys, you may be able to remove your password entirely (depending on the service).
For now, it is a good idea to keep your password active as a fallback, but use the passkey as your primary sign-in method.
Passkeys and Your Business
If your business uses Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, your IT administrator may need to enable passkey support for your organisation. Passkeys work alongside existing security policies, including conditional access and device management.
Benefits for teams:
- Fewer password reset requests for your IT support team
- Reduced risk of phishing attacks compromising accounts
- Faster sign-in for staff, especially on shared or mobile devices
Troubleshooting
"Passkey not available" when signing in
- Make sure you are using the same device where the passkey was created
- Check that your device's biometric (fingerprint/face) is working
- Update your browser to the latest version
- Your browser may need updating — passkeys require recent versions of Chrome, Safari, or Edge
- Your IT administrator may need to enable passkey support in your organisation's settings
- For Apple devices: Check iCloud Keychain is enabled on all devices
- For Android: Check Google Password Manager sync is turned on
- For Windows: Passkeys created in Windows Hello may not sync — use your phone as the passkey device for cross-platform access
Need Help?
For help setting up passkeys for your team, contact helpdesk@netlumait.com.au or call 1300 521 162.
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