Google Chrome Announces Browser Support for Passkeys

Google Chrome announced that passkeys will now be supported by the browser.

In every user's numerous digital accounts, passwords are typically the first line of defense. However, with today's advancement in hacking, the possibility of your passwords getting phished, or exposed in data breaches, may be more likely than you think.

According to the Chromium Blog, passkey is now compatible with Chrome version M108. Additionally, it is accessible on Windows 11, iOS, and Android.

The new feature aims to create a more secure browser, as passkey support would enable users to eliminate the use of vulnerable passwords to protect their accounts.

What is a Passkey?

Passkeys are digital credentials that eliminate the need for a password by allowing users to authenticate and log into websites using their iPhone or Android handsets. Users visiting websites that support passkeys on more recent iterations of iOS and Android can use biometric authentication on a trusted device to verify their identity.

According to Mac Rumors, adding passkey support to Chrome will let users scan a QR code on their Android or ‌iPhone‌ device to log in. Passkeys can also be synced end-to-end, encrypted across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices and backed up to iCloud.

Using this method of signing in prevents your passkey from leaving your mobile device. Unlike a password, nothing is shared with the site other than a securely generated code. Therefore there is nothing that may be disclosed.

Aside from Google Chrome, passkey support has been introduced by a number of other businesses and applications, including 1Password, PayPal, Microsoft, eBay, and more.

How Passkey Benefits Google Chrome Users

Consider a scenario wherein you are logging in using your password in a public place, and someone else sees it and will be able to access your device or account. However, if a personal and secure key protects your smartphone or account, then only you will be able to access it.

Some user passwords may be too easy to guess and will undoubtedly get stolen to gain access to their account and make damaging changes. Forgetting your password is also a more frequent problem that may lead you to lose your accounts completely if you forget after resetting it multiple times.

Thus, Research Snipers reports that Google has taken various steps to overcome these weaknesses over the years, which is why safeguards such as Google Password Manager and two-step verification exist now.

Additionally, you will easily gain access to your account just by your passkey, which is a more secure method of signing in.

Your device will also be able to keep the identifier, or you can store it on a flash drive or an SD card, among other storage media. When you log in to a new device, the server will create a fresh passkey API to confirm your identity. Once your identity has been verified, you can log in.