How to Setup and Use Apple Passkeys for Secure Sign-ins

Do you know that the strongest password can be stolen, guessed, or exposed in a data breach? That’s why Apple introduced Passkeys. It’s a more secure, password-free way to sign in to apps and websites using Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode. 

This guide breaks down what passkeys are, how they work, and how to set them up and use them across Apple and non-Apple devices in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe.

What Are Apple Passkeys? 

Apple passkeys are a passwordless authentication method based on industry-standard FIDO technology. Instead of remembering and typing a password, you simply authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode.

 

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Each passkey consists of two parts: 

• A public key, stored on the service you’re logging into 
• A private key, stored securely on your device and never shared 

Apps or websites verify your identity by checking that your device possesses the private key. Since this key never leaves your device, it can’t be stolen through phishing or server breaches.

Why Apple Passkeys Are More Secure Than Passwords 

• Phishing-proof: Passkeys only work with the real website they were created for. 
• No passwords to manage: No resetting, forgetting, or reusing weak passwords. 
• Safer during breaches: Servers store only a public key, not passwords that attackers can use. 
• End-to-end encrypted syncing: Your passkeys sync across devices via iCloud Keychain. Even Apple can’t view them.

Requirements for Using Passkeys on Apple Devices 

Before using passkeys, ensure you have: 

• An iPhone, iPad, or Mac running the latest versions (iOS 26 / iPadOS 26 / macOS Tahoe or later) 
• iCloud Keychain enabled 
• Two-factor authentication is turned on for your Apple ID 
• A website or app that supports FIDO passkeys 
  (Examples: PayPal, eBay, Best Buy, GoDaddy, CardPointers, Dashlane, Nvidia, and major browsers like Safari and Chrome)

How to Create an Apple Passkey on iPhone, iPad, or Mac

Creating a Passkey happens when you sign up for a new account or update an existing one on a supported website or app on your Apple device. 

1. Open the app or website and start the signup or login process. 
2. When prompted, tap Continue with Passkey or Create Passkey. 
3. Tap Continue and authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode. The website will generate a unique key for your account. 
4. The passkey is saved to iCloud Keychain and appears in the Passwords app.
   

If the option doesn’t show up, the site doesn’t support Passkeys yet. Also, you can have both a password and a Passkey for the same account.

Already have an account? 

No problem, most services now offer a Convert to Passkey option: 

1. Sign in normally with your password. 
2. Go to Account Settings > Security > Passkeys. 
3. Select Create Passkey and authenticate. 

Tip

On shared devices, choose Other options > Save on another device to store your passkey on a hardware security key instead of the device itself.

How to Sign In Using an Apple Passkey 

Once a passkey is created, logging in becomes instant: 

1. Open the app or website. 
2. Tap the username field. 
3. Your saved passkey appears as a suggestion. 
4. Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode.
   

No typing, no verification codes needed. Just authenticate and you’re in. 

Using Apple Passkeys on Non-Apple Devices 

You can sign in with your passkeys even on Windows, Android, or shared public devices. Your Apple device simply needs to be nearby, because the login uses secure proximity verification.

Here’s how it works: 

1. On the non-Apple device, go to the website and enter your username on the sign-in screen. 
2. For the Password section, choose Other Options, Passkey from nearby device, or a similar option. 
3. A QR code appears on the device screen. 
4. Scan the QR code using your iPhone or iPad.
5. Approve the sign-in with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.
   

Important: Screenshots or photos of the QR code won’t work. The process requires real-time proximity between devices. 

If you’re near someone else’s Apple device, you can also share a passkey via AirDrop.

How to View, Manage, or Delete Passkeys on iPhone 

All your Passkeys live in the Passwords app on your iPhone (it’s built-in on iOS 18 and later). Here’s how to handle them: 

1. Open the Passwords app and authenticate yourself. 
2. From the home page, tap the Passkeys tile. Here you will see all the accounts. 
3. Select the account you want to manage. 
   • To change or update a Passkey: Just create a new one for that account following the creation steps.
   • To delete a Passkey: Tap Edit > Delete Passkey > Confirm. You can always create a new one later. 

From here, you can also share Passkeys securely with family groups. Everything syncs automatically to your iCloud Keychain, so changes appear on your other Apple devices, too.

The Security Behind Apple Passkeys 

Passkeys rely on WebAuthn, a modern authentication standard built on public-key cryptography. 

Here’s what makes them secure: 

• Private keys stay on your device and never touch remote servers. 
• Biometric authentication ensures only you can use the passkey. 
• Phishing is impossible because your device checks the website’s real cryptographic signature. 
• Server breaches don’t expose your credentials, since servers store only public keys—not passwords, hashes, or sensitive data. 

This model replaces the traditional shared-secret approach and eliminates attack vectors such as password reuse, credential stuffing, and SMS-based OTP hijacking.

Recovering Your Passkeys if You Lose Your Device 

If you lose one device, your passkeys remain available on your other Apple devices via iCloud Keychain. 

But if all your devices are lost:

You can still recover your passkeys using iCloud Keychain Escrow, a highly secure recovery system that protects your data even from Apple itself. 

You’ll need: 

• Your Apple ID 
• Your Apple ID password 
• Access to your trusted phone number for SMS verification 
• Your iCloud Security Code 
• Your device passcode (once you set up a new Apple device) 

There are up to 10 attempts to recover your escrow records. Exceeding the limit deletes them permanently for your protection. 

You can also designate an Account Recovery Contact who can help you regain access if you’re locked out.

Troubleshooting Common Passkey Issues

Issues	Solutions
Passkey option not appearing	The website/app may not support passkeys yet. Update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.
Passkeys not syncing	Make sure iCloud Keychain is enabled:  Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Passwords & Keychain > Sync this iPhone.
Face ID/Touch ID failed	You can use your device passcode to unlock the passkey instead.

Passkeys Are the Future of Secure Logins! 

Passkeys may sound technical, but in practice, they’re as simple as unlocking your device. They’re faster, safer, and more convenient than passwords, and they’re quickly becoming the new standard for secure sign-ins across the web. 

As more apps and services adopt passkeys, you’ll spend less time managing passwords and more time enjoying frictionless, secure access. 

What’s your experience with passkeys so far? Let me know below! 

Read more:

• What is Apple’s private cloud computing? Explained!
• 7 tips to Secure Your iPhone Lock Screen
• How to recover deleted passwords in Keychain