Google accounts now default to passkeys for login: Everything you need to know | Technology News

But now that passkeys are the default method, you will see prompts to create and use passkeys for all your subsequent sign-ins. When you enable passkeys, you will no longer have to enter your password to access your Google account, for example, on Gmail.

Additionally, when you enable passkeys, you will find the “Skip password when possible” option turned on in your Google Account settings. This means that passkeys are still optional, and if you are not a fan of them for some reason (we strongly recommend that you enable them to enhance your account security), you can always switch back to the traditional password login method.

To use passkeys, you simply use a fingerprint, face scan or pin to unlock your device. Google says that they are 40% faster than passwords and rely on a type of cryptography that makes them more secure. Enabling passkeys also saves you the trouble of remembering all those numbers and special characters in passwords. They are also resistant to phishing.

Since their launch earlier this year, people can sign in to Google services like YouTube, Search and Maps using passkeys. Platforms like Uber and eBay have also enabled passkeys. Google also says that WhatsApp compatibility is coming soon.

How to enable passkeys for Google

Personal accounts aside, if you wish to login with passkeys wherever they’re supported, follow the steps below.

Go to myaccount.google.com.
Click Security
Click Passkeys under How you sign into Google.
Click the Use passkeys button.
Click the Create a Passkey button at the bottom.
Check the information stored with the new passkey.