Google recently announced that they will be introducing Google Passkey, a new security feature intended to replace the currently built-in security key.
This allows you to create a passkey that simplifies signing in to your Google account. In this article we will examine how to integrate Google Passkey with your Google account.
What is a security key?
Security keys are small physical devices that you can use to add an extra layer of security to your online accounts, and in this case, your Google Account. They work by generating a unique code that is required in addition to your usual password when you log into your account.
What the security key does is you just plug it into your computer or connect it to your mobile device via Bluetooth and then enter your username and password as usual. The key then generates a unique code that is sent to the server and compared to the expected code. If the codes match, you’ll get access to your account.
The security key is a great way to protect your online accounts from hackers and other malicious actors as they are much more difficult to hack or replicate than passwords or other forms of authentication.
What is a master key?
Passkeys, on the other hand, serve as a convenient and secure replacement for passwords. By using a passkey, you can use your fingerprint, face recognition or the device’s screen lock, e.g. a PIN, to access your Google account, depending on what your device supports.
These passkeys offer the most robust defense against risks like phishing. After setting up a passkey, you can easily sign in to your Google account.
What does that mean for me?
Passkeys make logging into your account a lot easier. To provide some context, here’s a comparison of the steps required to sign in to your Google Account using a security key like the YubiKey 5 NFC and a Google Passkey.
Using a security key:
- Enter your user name.
- Enter your password.
- Insert the security key.
- Press the button on the security key.
- You are now logged into your account.
Using a passkey:
- Enter your user name.
- Verify your identity using face recognition or fingerprint authentication on your phone.
- You are now logged into your account.
How to set up Google Passkeys
You can set up Google Passkeys in either a desktop browser or a mobile browser. The latter option is simpler and more direct. This guide shows how to perform this task on both platforms.
Set up Google Passkeys on desktop
- First, navigate to g.co/passkey and register with your Google account credentials.
- On the following page you will see a list of your existing security keys, if any. To create a new master key, click “Create a master key‘ and then to ‘Keep going.”
- This action will generate a passkey for google.com on your current device. click”Keep going‘ again to continue.
- Depending on the browser you use, you may receive a prompt stating that the browser needs to verify your identity on google.com. Enter your device’s password and click “OK” keep going.
- If you see this screen, it means the passkey has been set up.
You’ll also notice that a new section called “PASSKEYS” has been added that displays information about your device.
Set up Google Passkeys on mobile devices
- Open a browser on your mobile device and Sign in to your Google account.
- After signing in, a screen will ask you if you want to set up a passkey. click”Keep going‘ in your browser. If you’re using an iOS device, make sure iCloud Keychain is turned on. To turn it on, go to Settings > iCloud > Passwords & keychain and turn it on.
- Next, tap “Keep going‘ when prompted by your mobile device.
- Finally click on “Keep going‘ again and your setup is complete.
What now?
Once you’re done, you can easily sign in to your Google account (Gmail or other services) on mobile devices. Just enter your email address and then verify your identity with facial recognition or fingerprint authentication. There is no need to enter a password or go through a second verification step.
