Microsoft launches password support for all consumer accounts

Passkeys can replace traditional passwords with your device’s own authentication methods. This way, you can log into Gmail, PayPal, or iCloud just by turning on Face ID on your iPhone, your Android phone’s fingerprint sensor, or with Windows Hello on a PC.

Based on WebAuthn (or Web Authentication) technology, two different keys are generated when you create an access key: one stored by the website or service where your account is and a private key stored on the device you use to verify your identity.

Of course, if passkeys are stored on your device, what happens if it is broken or lost? Since passkeys work across multiple devices, you can have a backup available. Many services that support passkeys will also re-authenticate to your phone number or email address, or to a hardware security key if you have one.

Apple and Google password vaults already support passwords, as do password managers like 1Password and Dashlane. 1Password also created a online directory listing services that allow users to log in using a passkey.