Your organization may be rolling out passkeys, or you may have noticed consumer apps offering them. Either way, here’s what changes for you.
The short version
Instead of typing a password and then approving a push notification or entering a code, you’ll sign in using your fingerprint, face, or a PIN - the same way you unlock your phone or computer. It’s faster and more secure.
Before vs after
With a password: Enter username → type password → wait for SMS or push → approve on phone → signed in (15-30 seconds)
With a passkey: Enter username → verify with fingerprint, face, or PIN → signed in (3-5 seconds)
That’s the whole change. One step instead of three.
What you’ll need to do
- Set up your passkey - a one-time process that takes about 2 minutes. You’ll go to a website, choose your method, and follow the prompts.
- Microsoft Authenticator on your phone
- A hardware security key
- Windows Hello on your PC
- A syncable passkey in your platform’s credential manager (iCloud Keychain, Google Password Manager, or a third-party password vault). This one leaves the end-user path - see Device-Bound vs Syncable Passkeys for the trade-offs.
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Sign in with your passkey - from that point on, sign-in uses your fingerprint, face, or PIN instead of a password
- That’s it - your daily workflow stays the same, sign-in just gets faster
What stays the same
- You’ll still go to the same websites and apps
- Your email, files, and everything else works exactly the same
- Your username doesn’t change
- You can still use multiple devices, with some caveats - see Device-Bound vs Syncable Passkeys for when a passkey follows you across devices and when it doesn’t
What you don’t need to worry about
- You don’t need to remember a new password - there is no password with a passkey
- Your fingerprint/face data stays on your device - it’s never sent to Microsoft or application owner. It only unlocks the passkey locally.
- Your biometric data stays safe - the application knows that you registered a passkey, but not what fingerprint or face you used
Common questions
Do I still need my password? During the transition, your password may still work as a backup. Eventually, your password may phase out entirely. You’ll be informed before this happens.
What if my fingerprint reader doesn’t work? You can use a PIN as a fallback. The PIN is set up during passkey registration.
Can I have multiple passkeys? Yes. You can register a passkey on your phone and on your computer, or on multiple security keys. Having more than one is actually recommended - if you lose one, you still have the other.
What if I lose my phone or key? Contact support. They’ll verify your identity and give you a temporary way to sign in so you can set up a new passkey. See What to Do If You Lose Your Device for the full process.