Google will make passkeys the default login setting for all users, less than six months after introducing support for passkeys across all personal accounts.
“The next time you sign in to your account, you’ll start seeing prompts to create and use passkeys, simplifying your future sign-ins. It also means you’ll see the “Skip password when possible” option toggled on in your Google Account settings,” said the tech giant in a blog post.
Passkeys, such as fingerprints, face scans, or PINs, are a convenient means to unlock your device. Notably, they offer a solution by relying on cryptographic keys stored on devices for account authentication, substantially reducing the risk of phishing attacks.
Starting soon, when users log into their Google accounts, they will be prompted to create a passkey and start using it for login purposes instead of relying on the traditional combination of a Gmail address and password.
The search giant is taking this initiative further by enabling the “skip password when possible” option in account settings, giving passkeys the green light. Users who are not yet ready to part ways with their passwords can opt to turn off this setting to avoid receiving passkey prompts.
Although Google has not provided any specific data on the adoption of passkeys, the company has stated in a blog post that passkeys are being widely used on popular apps like YouTube, Search, and Maps. This indicates that users have had a favorable experience with this more secure and convenient authentication method.
Since launching earlier this year, people have used passkeys on their favorite apps like YouTube, Search, and Maps, and we’re encouraged by the results. We’re even more excited to see the growing adoption of passkeys across the industry. Recently, Uber and eBay have enabled passkeys — giving people the option to ditch passwords when signing in on their platforms — and WhatsApp compatibility will also be coming soon.
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