What's the Passkeys Support on Windows?

1. Windows Passkeys Support Is Fragmented#

Many developers and product managers have approached us in the past with questions about passkeys in Windows. Which versions support them? What kinds can you use? What other stuff do you need to consider? Weve seen many people scratching their heads and, guess what? Weve been there too! So, we put together all the findings we made about passkeys in Windows.

2. Your Guide to Passkeys in Different Windows Versions#

3. Buzz Around Synced Passkey Support on Windows 10#

Theres a whisper in the tech world about the potential for synced passkey support on Windows 10. While its not a universal feature yet, introducing it to a wide array of Windows 10 devices could potentially spark further user adoption and heighten the demand for passkeys. According to Microsoft's lifetime policy, the Windows 10 22H2 version from October 2022 is expected to be the last feature release for Windows 10, followed by two years of security support.

Insiders hint that backporting the synced passkey functionality from Windows 11 to Windows 10 seems to be a straightforward task. There might even be an out-of-band release enabling synced passkeys (via Windows Hello), enhanced passkey management, and Conditional UI before Windows 10s end of life in October 2025.

4. The Awaited Arrival of Windows Hello Sync#

However, the million-dollar question that lingers is: when will Microsoft introduce Windows Hello Sync, thereby connecting created local passkeys with the cloud and making them genuinely cross-device, much like Apple (via iCloud Keychain) and Google (via Google Password Manager) have done? Currently, theres no indication within the official documentation, release notes, or in the Microsoft Account as to when this might materialize.

Wrapping it up: Passkeys support is still quite a fragmented topic. We hope that our table for the different Windows versions helps you. If you dont want to miss any important update for passkey support on Windows, feel free to join our passkeys community.

Frequently Asked Questions#

What passkey features does Windows 11 23H2 add that earlier Windows versions don't have?#

Windows 11 23H2 introduces WebAuthn API level 4, ECC algorithm support, Conditional UI (currently limited to Chrome and Edge) and a native passkey management UI in Windows Settings. Earlier versions, including Windows 11 22H2 and Windows 10, only reach WebAuthn API level 3 and lack all four of these capabilities.

Does Windows support synced passkeys the way Apple and Google do?#

No. Windows Hello Sync does not currently exist, meaning passkeys created on Windows remain device-bound and are not synced across devices. Microsoft has provided no indication in official documentation or release notes of when this feature will be introduced.

Can I use my iPhone or Android passkeys on a Windows PC right now?#

Yes, hybrid authentication lets you use iOS or Android passkeys on Windows via a Bluetooth connection. On Windows 11 23H2, this is handled natively through Windows Hello, while older Windows versions rely on the Chrome or Edge browser to facilitate the cross-device flow.

Will Windows 10 ever get synced passkey support before it reaches end of life?#

It is possible but not confirmed. Windows 10 reaches end of life in October 2025, and its last planned feature release was version 22H2 from October 2022. Insiders suggest backporting synced passkey functionality from Windows 11 is straightforward, and an out-of-band release enabling synced passkeys and Conditional UI before the deadline has been hinted at.