Passkeys are rapidly transforming the authentication landscape in 2025, moving from an emerging technology to a mainstream, widely-supported standard.

Widespread Adoption

Passkeys have gained significant traction, with over 1 billion users activating them across more than 400 million Google Accounts. Major platforms and browsers now offer full passkey support, including Apple (iOS, macOS, Safari), Google (Android, Chrome), and Microsoft (Windows, Edge). This widespread support has led to passkeys being used for authentication more frequently than traditional two-factor methods like SMS or app-based one-time passwords.

How Passkeys Work

Instead of a password, a private key is stored securely on a device (e.g., a smartphone or computer) and a public key is registered with the service.
When logging in, the private key authenticates the user through biometrics (Face ID, fingerprint) or a PIN.
Passkeys can sync across devices via iCloud Keychain (Apple), Google Password Manager, or Windows Hello.

Security and Privacy Benefits

Phishing Resistance: Since passkeys are bound to specific websites and cannot be shared, they block phishing attacks.
No Credential Leaks: Even if a website is breached, attackers cannot steal passwords because there aren’t any.
Simplified Login: Users no longer need to remember complex passwords or use password managers.