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Passkeys on iPhone and Mac: What They Are & How to Use

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Passkeys are a passwordless sign-in method built into Apple devices, letting you unlock accounts with Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode instead of typing a password. This article explains what passkeys are, how they work, and the exact steps to set up and use them on your iPhone and Mac.

What Is a Passkey?

A passkey is a cryptographic key pair stored on your device that replaces passwords for supported websites and apps. It uses public-key cryptography: your device creates a private key (kept securely in the Keychain) and a public key (shared with the website). When you sign in, the site sends a challenge that your device signs with the private key, proving your identity without ever transmitting a secret.

Passkeys are based on the FIDO2/WebAuthn standard, developed by the FIDO Alliance and the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Apple introduced support in iOS 16 and macOS Ventura (2022). They are designed to be phishing-resistant because the authentication is tied to the specific website domain, so a fake site can’t intercept your credentials.

How Passkeys Differ from Passwords

  • No password to remember – you authenticate with biometrics or your device passcode.
  • Unique per site – each passkey is cryptographically unique, so a breach on one site doesn’t affect others.
  • Syncs via iCloud Keychain – available on all your Apple devices (and Windows via iCloud for Windows).
  • Phishing-resistant – the key is tied to the site’s domain, so fake login pages can’t use it.

How to Create a Passkey on iPhone

  1. Open the website or app that supports passkeys (look for “Passkey” or “Sign in with passkey” in account settings).
  2. Go to your account’s security or password settings and choose “Add a Passkey” or “Create a Passkey.”
  3. When prompted, confirm with Face ID or Touch ID. The passkey is saved to your iCloud Keychain.

If the site doesn’t offer a direct “add passkey” option, you may need to sign in with your password first, then enable passkeys in security settings.

How to Use a Passkey to Sign In

  1. On the login page, choose “Sign in with a passkey” (or just tap your account name if you’re on Apple devices).
  2. A system dialog appears asking for Face ID or Touch ID.
  3. Authenticate, and you’re signed in – no password typed.

On iPhone, you can also use a passkey from another device (like a Mac) by scanning a QR code. The system walks you through the process.

How to Use Passkeys on Mac

  1. Ensure you’re signed into iCloud with the same Apple ID on your Mac and iPhone (for syncing).
  2. On a supporting website, click the login field and choose “Passkey” from the password suggestions.
  3. Press Touch ID on your Mac’s keyboard, or enter your Mac’s login password if Touch ID isn’t available.

If you’re using a Mac without Touch ID, you can still use a passkey by confirming with your iPhone: a prompt appears on your phone to approve the sign-in.

Managing and Syncing Passkeys

Passkeys are stored in iCloud Keychain, which syncs across your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. To view or delete a passkey:

  • iPhone/iPad: Settings → Passwords → select a site → tap “Passkey” to see details or delete it.
  • Mac: System Settings → Passwords → select a site → click “Passkey” to manage.

If you delete a passkey, you’ll need to sign in with your password and create a new one.

Common Problems and Solutions

  • Passkey not syncing? Make sure you’re signed into iCloud with the same Apple ID on all devices, and that “Passwords & Keychain” is enabled in iCloud settings.
  • Site doesn’t support passkeys? Not all sites do yet – check the site’s help or security settings. You can still use passwords until support is added.
  • Using a Windows PC? Install iCloud for Windows and sign in with your Apple ID to access passkeys in Chrome or Edge.
  • Forgot your Apple ID password? Passkeys don’t replace your Apple ID password; you still need it for iCloud sign-in and recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are passkeys more secure than passwords?

Yes, because they use public-key cryptography and are tied to the site’s domain, making phishing attacks much harder. There’s no password to steal or reuse.

Can I use a passkey on a non-Apple device?

Yes, if the site supports passkeys, you can use a passkey from your iPhone to sign in on a Windows PC or Android device by scanning a QR code.

What if I lose my iPhone?

Your passkeys are in iCloud Keychain, so you can recover them on a new device with your Apple ID and passcode. You can also use account recovery options if needed.

Do passkeys work with apps?

Yes, many apps support passkeys via the same WebAuthn standard. Look for “Sign in with passkey” in the app’s login screen.

Can I still use passwords if I have a passkey?

Most sites let you use either method. Passkeys are an alternative, not a replacement for passwords on most platforms yet.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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