A passkey lets you sign in to Google with the same fingerprint, face scan or PIN you use to unlock your phone, with no password to type and nothing for a phishing page to steal. Setting one up takes three steps. This guide follows Google's official help page, checked on October 26, 2026.

New to passkeys? Read how passkeys work, explained simply first, and find our short tech explainers on the Vox & Frame YouTube channel.

Step 1: Check that your device is supported

Google lists these minimums:

  • Computer: Windows 10, macOS Ventura or ChromeOS 109 or later
  • Phone: Android 9 or iOS 16 or later
  • Or a hardware security key that supports FIDO2
  • Browser: Chrome 109+, Safari 16+, Edge 109+ or Firefox 122+

Before you start:

  • Turn on your phone's screen lock.
  • Turn on Bluetooth if you want to use your phone's passkey to sign in on another computer.
  • On iPhone, iPad and Mac, turn on iCloud Keychain (you will be prompted if it is off).

Step 2: Create the passkey

  1. On the phone or computer you own, go to myaccount.google.com/signinoptions/passkeys. You may be asked to sign in or verify it's you.
  2. Tap Create a passkey.
  3. Unlock your device with your fingerprint, face or PIN.

That's it. Repeat on each device you personally use. To store the passkey on a hardware security key instead, choose Create a passkey → Use another device and follow the prompts.

Tip: if you have an Android phone signed in to the account, Google may already have registered a passkey for you automatically. Check the same page to see your list.

Step 3: Sign in with it

On a device that holds the passkey, open the Google sign-in page, enter your email, and follow the prompt to unlock your device.

Signing in on a computer using your phone

  1. On the computer's Google sign-in page, enter your email.
  2. Click Try another way → Use your passkey. A QR code appears.
  3. Scan it with your phone's camera (Bluetooth on).
  4. Tap Use passkey to sign in (on iPhone: Sign in with a passkey) and unlock your phone.

Google says the next time you use the same computer and phone together, you'll get a phone notification instead of a QR code.

Keep your password as a backup (optional)

Creating a passkey opts you in to passkey-first sign-in, but your password still works. To get the password prompt by default again: Google Account → Security & sign-in → under "How you sign in to Google", turn off Skip password when possible.

Lost your phone? Remove the passkey

From any device you can still access:

  1. Go to your Google Account → Security & sign-in.
  2. Under "How you sign in to Google", tap Passkeys and security keys.
  3. Select the passkey and tap Remove.

For a passkey that an Android phone created automatically, go to Security & sign-in → Manage all devices, pick the device and tap Sign out. You can review every device with access at google.com/devices.

Common snags

  • Work or school account: your Workspace admin may not allow passkey-only sign-in. You can still use a passkey as a 2-Step Verification factor or recovery option.
  • Incognito: some browsers can't create or use passkeys in private mode.
  • New passkey not offered: it can take up to 7 days to become available.
  • Old security key: a FIDO2 key added before May 2023 may need to be removed and re-added to hold a passkey.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

Does adding a passkey delete my Google password?

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No. Google says adding a passkey doesn't change or remove any authentication or recovery factors on your account. You can still sign in with your password, and you can turn off 'Skip password when possible' to make the password the default again.

Does Google get my fingerprint or face data?

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No. According to Google, biometric data used for fingerprint or face unlock stays on your device and is never shared with Google. The passkey only proves you could unlock the device.

Do I still need 2-Step Verification codes with a passkey?

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Signing in with a passkey bypasses the second step, because it already verifies that you have and can unlock your device. If you turn off 'Skip password when possible', you can use any of your passkeys as the second step after your password.

Why doesn't my new passkey work yet?

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Google notes you may need to wait up to 7 days before a newly created passkey is available at sign-in, unless you already have a trusted passkey or security key that can speed it up. Also check your OS and browser are up to date and that you are not in Incognito mode.

Should I create a passkey on a shared or family computer?

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No. Anyone who can unlock a device that holds your passkey can access your Google Account, even after you sign out. Only create passkeys on devices you personally own and use.