How to Enable Passkeys on Android

Passkeys are a secure and convenient way to log in to your accounts. In this guide, we will show you how to enable passkeys on Android, set up passkeys on Android, and understand how they work across different platforms. If you're looking to activate passkeys on Android, we've got you covered.

On Android, you can set up passkeys to sign in without using a password. To verify your identity and create a passkey, you need a biometric sensor, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, a PIN, or a swipe pattern.

Your passkeys are stored and synced by your password manager, and you can use them to sign in on other devices. This guide provides detailed steps on how to enable and log in with passkeys on Android devices.

Passkeys provide an easy and secure way to log in to supported sites and applications without passwords. To save passkeys, your device must be running Android 9.0 or later and have the screen lock turned on.

Is my Android device passkey-ready?

• Enhanced Security: Passkeys use public key cryptography, which means the private key never leaves the Android device, reducing the risk of phishing and credential theft. This cryptographic method is significantly more secure than traditional passwords, which can be stolen or leaked.

• Simpler User Experience: Passkeys eliminate the need to remember and manage multiple passwords. Authentication with a passkey on Android typically involves just a biometric check (like fingerprint or face scan) or a device PIN, making the process much faster and more user-friendly compared to passwords.

• Cross-Device Compatibility: If a user creates a passkey on Android, it is available on all Android devices as long as the user is signed in to the same Google account. Thus, passkeys created on one Android device can be used across other Android devices signed in to the same Google account, and they can also be accessed on non-Android devices via WebAuthn Cross-Device authentication, making them versatile across different platforms.

  

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Even though, the most popular browser Chrome is made by Google, passkeys from Android are not synced via the Chrome profile to macOS, iOS, or Windows (yet). This means that passkeys from Android are only synced to other Android devices via the Google Password Manager (as of May 2024).

Passkeys stored in a Chrome profile are currently only available on this device then.

However, It is planned that passkeys are synced across all devices (including Windows, iOS and macOS) logged into the same Google account with the same Google Password Manager.

You can create and save passkeys for apps and websites that support passkeys. The instructions for creating and saving a passkey can vary depending on the app, website, or browser (see e.g. our Shopify, Binance, or eBay analysis for reference) but they typically consist of steps similar to the following:

1. On your Android device, open the login screen of a supported website or app. If you are setting up a new account, tap the button for setting up new accounts, then follow the onscreen instructions. If you already have an existing account, log in with your account with your username and password, then go to the account settings or management screen.
2. When you see the option to save a passkey for the account, tap “Continue”. To create the passkey, use the device screen unlock (e.g. PIN pattern, face or fingerprint scan).
   
3. Your passkey is saved.

The passkeys you created are stored in your default passkey provider. For Android 9-13, this is Google Password Manager. For Android 14+, you can select your passkey provider (e.g. choose 1Password instead of Google Password Manager). You can change the default passkey provider in your Android device at Settings > Password Manager.

You can have a passkey and password for the same app or website and find them both under the same account.

Passkeys are available on all your Android devices when you are signed in to the same Google account.

The instructions for logging in with a passkey can vary depending on the app, website, or browser, but they typically consist of steps similar to the ones below:

1. On your Android device, go to the website or app and tap the username (e.g. unique identifier, email address, phone number) field on the login screen.
2. Login
   • Login with Conditional UI: Tap the suggested username that appears at the bottom of the screen or on top of the keyboard.
   • Regular login: If the username doesn't appear automatically in an autofill menu, or you want to use a different one, enter it.
3. To complete the login, use the device screen unlock (e.g. PIN pattern, face scan, fingerprint scan).
4. The passkey you saved completes the login automatically.

To sign in on other Android devices, you can save passkeys in Google Password Manager or another third-party password manager, such as Samsung Pass, Keeper, or 1Password.

To select a password manager for saving passkeys on your Android device, go to Settings > General management > Passwords, passkeys, and autofill and select the password manager / passkey providers you want to use. You can also define your preferred service here.

You can always use our device’s PIN code or PIN pattern instead of biometric authentication.

Yes, passkeys can be used across different platforms, including Apple devices. Here’s how it works:

• Platform Independence: Passkeys are not restricted to devices, browsers, or operating systems from a single company. While they may be anchored to a specific technology suite by default (such as Windows Hello for Windows, Google Password Manager for Android, and iCloud Keychain for iOS and macOS), they are designed with cross-platform and cross-device compatibility in mind.

• Sharing Across Platforms: Passkeys can be shared between different platforms and devices using QR codes and Bluetooth. This means you can seamlessly use a passkey generated on an Android device on an iOS device and vice versa.

• Backup and Synchronization: Passkeys are securely backed up in services like iCloud Keychain and Google Password Manager. For instance, if you attempt to log in to the same Google account on another Android, you can simply use your face or your fingerprint to verify your identity.

• Third-Party Password Managers: Using third-party password managers such as 1Password or Dashlane allows you to use the same passkey on different platforms. These managers facilitate the synchronization and management of passkeys across various devices and operating systems, enhancing cross-platform usability.

In summary, while passkeys are initially tied to a specific platform's technology suite, they are inherently designed to be used across different platforms, ensuring a secure and seamless login experience regardless of the device or operating system you are using.

No, passkeys on Android cannot be shared in a way iOS devices can share passkeys with AirDrop.

In conclusion, enabling passkeys on Android is a straightforward process that enhances your security and convenience. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily set up and activate passkeys on your Android device, ensuring a secure login experience.

Passkey authentication is integrated into Android 9.0 and later versions, allowing users to conveniently use passkeys for signing in to applications and websites. Once you create a passkey on Android, it is available on all your Android devices as long as you are signed in to the same Google account. This means your passkeys are functional across different devices, providing a seamless login experience on any device you use.