You can now use passkeys to sign in to your Google Account: Here's why they're safer alternative to passwords

Gif Credit: Google

Google has started rolling out support for passkeys across Google Accounts on all major platforms. In addition to passwords and 2-Step Verification (2SV), you can now use a passkey to sign in to your Google Account.

Passkeys are a new and secure way to sign in to apps and websites. They allow users to sign in by unlocking their computer or mobile device with their fingerprint, face recognition or a local PIN. Unlike passwords, passkeys are resistant to phishing and any accidental mishandling such as being reused or exposed in a data breach. Each passkey can only be used for a single account, hence there is no risk of reusing them across services.

"This is stronger protection than most 2SV (2FA/MFA) methods offer today, which is why we allow you to skip not only the password but also 2SV when you use a passkey. In fact, passkeys are strong enough that they can stand in for security keys for users enrolled in our Advanced Protection Program," Arnar Birgisson and Diana K Smetters, Identity Ecosystems and Google Account Security and Safety teams, wrote in a blog post.

"Passkeys are still new and it will take some time before they work everywhere. However, creating a passkey today still comes with security benefits as it allows us to pay closer attention to the sign-ins that fall back to passwords. Over time, we'll increasingly scrutinize these as passkeys gain broader support and familiarity," they added.

Additionally, Google Workspace administrators will soon be able to enable passkeys for their end-users during sign-in.