How to set up passkeys on iPhone, Android, Windows and Mac

Setting up a passkey takes about a minute per service. You open the security settings of the account, choose “Create a passkey” and confirm with your fingerprint, face or screen lock. This guide covers the preparation, the steps on each device and the largest services. Menus change with software updates, so treat the paths below as a guide and look for the words “passkey” or “passwordless” if a label differs. Status: October 2026.

Before you start

1. Set a screen lock. A passkey needs a PIN, pattern, password or biometrics on the device that holds it.
2. Update your device. Passkeys need a reasonably current system: iOS 16 or later, Android 9 or later, Windows 10 or 11, macOS Ventura or later, and an up-to-date browser. For the newer features mentioned below, the latest versions help.
3. Decide where passkeys will live. On Apple devices that is iCloud Keychain, on Android the Google Password Manager. If you mix vendors, consider a password manager that supports passkeys.
4. Secure that account. Whoever gets into your Apple, Google or password manager account can reach your synchronised passkeys. Use two-factor authentication there.

iPhone and iPad

1. Check that iCloud Keychain or the Passwords sync is on (Settings > your name > iCloud > Passwords). Apple requires two-factor authentication on the Apple Account for this.
2. Open the website or app and go to its security or sign-in settings. Tap “Create passkey” (or “Continue with passkey” at the login prompt).
3. Confirm with Face ID or Touch ID.
4. Find your passkeys later in the Passwords app (iOS 18 and later) or under Settings > Passwords.

Android

1. Make sure a screen lock is set and Google Password Manager is your selected provider (Settings > Passwords, passkeys and accounts, wording varies by device).
2. In the service’s settings choose “Create a passkey” and confirm with fingerprint, face or screen lock.
3. Review your passkeys at passwords.google.com, in Chrome or in the Android settings. You can also allow sites to create passkeys automatically when you already have a saved password, and switch that off again if you prefer to decide each time.

Windows

1. Set up Windows Hello (Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options) with face, fingerprint or PIN.
2. In Edge or Chrome, open the service’s security settings and create the passkey. Windows asks for your Hello method.
3. A Windows Hello passkey stays on that PC. If you want passkeys that sync, choose your password manager as the passkey provider. Since late 2025, Windows 11 supports third-party passkey managers such as 1Password and Bitwarden through a plugin model, in current builds under Settings > Accounts > Passkeys.
4. To sign in on Windows with a phone’s passkey, pick the phone option, scan the QR code and confirm.

Mac

1. Use macOS Ventura or later, with iCloud Keychain or Passwords turned on.
2. In Safari (or another supported browser), go to the service’s security settings and choose “Create passkey”.
3. Confirm with Touch ID or your Mac password. Manage passkeys in the Passwords app (macOS Sequoia and later) or in System Settings.

The largest services

Service	How to set up a passkey
Google	Go to g.co/passkeys, sign in and follow the prompts. The setting is in the Google Account under Security
Microsoft	Sign in at your Microsoft account’s security page, open Advanced security options, choose “Add a new way to sign in or verify” and pick face, fingerprint, PIN or security key. New personal accounts are passwordless by default since 2025
Apple	Your Apple Account is protected by trusted devices, two-factor authentication and optionally security keys. Passkeys for other services are created in Safari or apps and stored in iCloud Keychain
Amazon	In your account, open Login and security, find Passkey and choose Set up. This is usually done from a browser
PayPal	In the account security settings, look for Passkeys. Availability depends on country and device, so check that the option is listed for you

Support differs by region and over time. If you cannot find the option, the service may not offer passkeys to your account yet.

Use a passkey from your phone on another computer

When signing in on a computer that does not have your passkey, choose the option to use a phone or tablet. The computer shows a QR code. Scan it with your phone, which then checks over Bluetooth that it is near the computer, and confirm with your biometrics. This works on most current systems and is a good way to use a public or shared machine without typing a password.

After setup: back up and test

• Test the login in a private window before you rely on it.
• Register a second way in. Add a second device, a hardware key (see best hardware security keys) or print backup codes.
• Know the recovery route. Read about account recovery while everything still works.
• Moving between managers. The FIDO Alliance’s Credential Exchange standard lets supporting apps transfer passkeys in encrypted form. Apple (iOS 26) and Android (via Google Play services) both support it as of mid-2026, though not every manager does yet.

Common problems

• No passkey option shown. The service or your browser may not support it yet. Update, or try another browser.
• Passkey not offered at login. It may be stored in a different provider than the one active on this device. Try the phone option or open your manager.
• Stuck in a loop on a work device. Company policies can disable passkeys. Ask your administrator.

With a few key accounts done and recovery in place, you have removed most of the risk that passwords carry, without learning anything complicated.