Google began rolling out passkeys earlier this year and has now made them more accessible to users by offering them as the default option across all personal accounts. This rollout has been met with a fair amount of praise for its user-friendly design, accelerating its rise from a nice option to the preferred method for logging into Google accounts.

Why it matters: Passkeys are more secure than passwords, given they’re resistant to phishing. They also simplify the sign-on process by eliminating the need to remember special characters typically associated with them. In fact, they are 40% faster on average.

Technologies such as password managers and multi-factor authentication have been shown to increase security for accounts protected by passwords. However, they’re not perfect. Password managers can still be hacked, and authentication codes can also be acquired by attackers. Passkeys, however, add an additional level of security.

• Users can take advantage of passkeys by using either a fingerprint, face scan, or pin to unlock their device. For those who aren’t ready to make the switch, they can opt-out by turning off “Skip password when possible.”

• Google isn’t the only one that’s launched passkeys as of late. Uber and eBay also recently implemented them, giving their customers the ability to embrace a passwordless future today. Rumor has it that WhatsApp will also be utilizing them soon as well.

• Google will continue to roll out passkeys to all of its users’ online accounts in an effort to eliminate the need for passwords altogether and to encourage the rest of the industry to adopt them as well.

Go Deeper —> Passwordless by default: Make the switch to passkey – Google

Go Deeper —> Google makes passkeys the default sign-in method for all users – Tech Crunch