X (Previously Known as Twitter) introduces Passkeys

X, previously Twitter, introduces passkeys for iOS & iPadOS in the US. Learn about the rationale & strategies behind this move.

We believe that passkeys make the Internet a safer place. That's why we aim to provide systematic analysis of the passkey flows of different companies as they move towards a password-free world.

Why does X introduce Passkeys?

Post its acquisition by Elon Musk, Twitter underwent significant transformation, including a rebranding to "X." Also, the controversial decision to withdraw 2FA via SMS, a move speculated to be a cost-saving measure, took place recently. However, the decision was met with considerable backlash, with concerns about diminished security and the potential for increased account breaches.

Passkeys present a solution to these challenges. They eliminate the substantial transactioal costs associated with SMS-based authentication. Moreover, they offer a more user-centric approach.

Additionally, considering the majority of X's user base predominantly interacts through mobile platforms such as iOS and Android, these devices emerge as the perfect candidates for the initial phase of a comprehensive passkeys rollout. Recent trends, like PayPal's strategy of primarily offering passkeys to mobile users, underline this thought process. Implementing passkeys can also vastly improve the cross-device experience, particularly when integrated with synchronized passkeys from cloud accounts like Google Password Manager, Apple iCloud Keychain, and contemporary password managers like 1Password and Dashlane.

Now, in late January 2024, X has started to roll out passkeys for US customers for iPhones and iPads. It's unclear when more regions or platforms like Android will gain support. Moreover, some users figured out that the entire US user base has already access to passkey indicating a staged rollout even within the US iOS and iPadOS user base.

X encourages users to use passkeys as the primary login method due to seamless login experience and the advanced security that they bring. However, it's not mandatory to use a passkey (yet). The passkeys FAQ page provides more details and will be kept up-to-date by X.

Passkeys on X: What's Next?

Though there's no official announcement regarding the further rollout of Xs passkey feature, the platform is expected to roll out passkeys to Android users and other global regions soon. The rapid adoption of passkeys by other tech behemoths, such as GitHub, Google, OnlyFans and TikTok, only strengthens this prediction.