Could passwords be a thing from the past? Google would have it that way. Google announced that in May 2023, you could now log into Google using a passkey. This level of security is unmatched by even two-factor authentication (2FA). Will other apps and services adopt the technology if Google does? Here’s hoping.
How do you create a passkey for your Google Account on an Android device? What is a passkey? Let’s begin at the beginning.
What are Passkeys?
Passkeys provide a more secure alternative to passwords. Imagine a passkey is a pair of extremely long passwords which, by May 2023, will be immune to brute force hacking. The other half is stored on the server of a service (in this case, Google). The other half is stored on the servers of a service (in our example, it’s Google).
The passkeys alone are useless. When the two passkeys are combined and authenticated (usually by a PIN on mobile devices or biometric data), they can perform a specific function like unlocking a bank account.
Why are Passkeys safer than traditional passwords?
You don’t need to create or remember complex passwords. This is not a surprise to those who use password managers regularly. It’s not worth the risk to store all your passwords in one place. If your password manager is ever hacked your digital life could be exposed.
This risk is eliminated with a passkey. This will change over time as bad guys create new tools and techniques. For now, let’s just appreciate that passkey technology is a security solution unmatched in an instant when we most need it.
How to Create and Use a Google Passkey
You can easily set up Google to use passkeys. Logging in is all that’s required.
- Open your preferred Web browser on your Android device.
- Visit the Google Passkeys Page.
- Enter your Google Account credentials.
- Tap Yes if prompted to confirm that you are trying to log in to your Google account.
You can’t find a certain Android device?
Pay attention to the passkeys that have been set up on Android devices with your Google account. You can’t locate a device. What’s happening? Here’s how to find out.
- Click Manage devices, under the Create passkeys automatically heading.
- Find sessions on Android devices by heading.
- Scroll down to see a list of all Android devices that you have used to log in with your Google account.
- You can find your device on the list. It may be marked with a yellow alert icon.
You can see that some of my devices are not listed. It is likely that they have not been active for more than 100 days. Sign in again by finding the device.
How to Set up and Use Passkeys
Let’s now set up our Google passkey. Go to the Keys page and:
- Tap Use passkeys.
- Select Continue in the Create passkey for Google account window (or Use another Device if you want to create a passkey using another device).
- The You may now sign in using your passkeys prompt will appear. Tap Done.
Sign in to your Google Account on another device. In this case, I used my Windows PC to sign in to my Google Account. Remember that this only needs to be done once when you first log in with a Google passkey.
- Select Continue under Use your password to confirm that it is you.
- Select Display a QR code on a mobile phone or tablet using
- Open the Camera application on your Android device.
- You can connect your device by pointing the camera at the QR codes on the screen.
- Tap and use the Passkey.
- Click Allow and then Again Allow.
- Sign in with your Google account using your biometric data on your device (such as fingerprint).
- If you want to create an additional passkey for this device, tap Continue.
Congratulations! You can now log in to your Google Account using your biometric data or PIN.
Be cautious about your online security
Passkeys add an extra layer to security, giving you and I an edge over the bad guys. We’ve earned this after years of paranoia and anxiety caused by security leaks. But don’t get complacent.
This song and dance has been done before. The new technology claims to be indestructible until it’s not. Continue to practice safe online practices for you and your family to prepare for this day.