What are the hardware limitations for passkey support?

Passkeys rely on specific hardware capabilities to ensure secure and seamless authentication. While most modern devices support passkeys, certain hardware limitations can affect compatibility.

• Older devices may lack the hardware required for passkeys, such as biometric sensors or secure storage modules.
• For example, some desktop computers or laptops may not have fingerprint readers or facial recognition cameras.

• Passkeys often depend on platform authenticators like Touch ID, Face ID, or fingerprint scanners for enhanced security.
• Devices without biometric sensors may require alternative methods, such as PINs, reducing the user experience benefits of passkeys.

• Certain devices lack the necessary hardware security modules (HSMs) or Trusted Platform Modules (TPMs) to securely store cryptographic keys.
• This limitation is more common in older desktop PCs and budget devices.

Public or shared devices (e.g., kiosks, public computers) may not support the creation or use of passkeys due to security restrictions or lack of platform authenticators.

• Even among compatible devices, inconsistencies in hardware implementations can lead to varying levels of passkey functionality.
• For example, some Android devices may have biometric sensors but lack the necessary software integration to fully support passkeys.

• Analyze Your User Base: Use tools like the Passkeys Analyzer to determine the percentage of users with compatible devices.
• Educate Users: Encourage updates to newer devices or operating systems where possible.
• Provide Fallbacks: Ensure that alternative authentication methods, like PINs or passwords, are available for users with incompatible hardware.
• Leverage Biometrics Where Available: Optimize your implementation to use biometric authenticators on devices that support them.

Hardware limitations for passkeys primarily affect older and budget devices without biometric sensors or secure storage. By understanding these constraints and providing appropriate fallbacks, you can ensure a smooth passkey adoption process across a diverse user base.