Passwords are dead: how to set up a passkey for your Google or Gmail account
A more convenient way to protect your information
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
● A Google account● Smartphone connected to your Google account● Camera app that can scan QR codes● Your computer’s PIN● Internet connection
Starting from May 3, you canlog into your Google Account with a passkeyinstead of a traditional password.There’s been a fair amount of hype surrounding passkeys as the next evolution for online security. For starters, the tech utilizes either a simple PIN or biometric credentials for signing into accounts making them more convenient to use than a lengthy password. And becausepasskeys use a very personal type of authorization, hackers will have a harder time gaining access to your data. Two-factor authentication may even become a thing of the past thanks to this new security method.
You can create your ownGoogleAccount passkeys for free and doing so is actually quite simple.
Quick steps for how to set up a new passkey for your Google account
Step-by-step guide for how to set up a new passkey for your Google account
You can still use your old password to sign into your account. Google isn’t getting rid of those as adjusting to thisnew standard will take some time. The company doesn’t want to throw out everything at once. Later down the line, administrators of Google Workspace accounts will be able to “enable passkeys for their end-users during sign-in.”
Other options
It’s unknown if Google will ever get rid of passwords on its various platforms. However, one thing is certain: the tech industry as a whole is moving beyond them as alternatives are cropping up.
Dashlane, for example, recently announced itsnew Passwordless Loginfeature, allowing its user base to replace their master password with either a PIN or biometrics. This sounds similar to passkeys, but it isn’t. Passkeys were developed by the FIDO Alliance, an organization backed by the likes of Google andApple.
In an interview withThe Verge, Dashlane CPO Donald Hasson said passkeys have the drawback of “being usable only within the ecosystem it was initially stored in”. Passwordless Login and the technology behind are more flexible in this regard.
Speaking of other options, check out TechRadar’s recommendation for thebest password managerto keep your private information safe.
Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.
Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.
Cesar Cadenas has been writing about the tech industry for several years now specializing in consumer electronics, entertainment devices, Windows, and the gaming industry. But he’s also passionate about smartphones, GPUs, and cybersecurity.
No joke, Gmail is 20 and we’re probably better for it
Google’s next AI update for Gmail could let you ask it to write emails with your voice
I’m a die-hard Apple fan, but even I’ll admit that the Google Pixel 9 Pro is the best-looking phone of the year
