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You cannot convert every account with one switch. Passkeys are enrolled separately on each supported website or app: sign in with your current method, open the account’s security settings, create a passkey on a personal device, credential manager, or compatible FIDO2 security key, then test it before changing any password or recovery factor.
A passkey uses a cryptographic key pair. The service stores a public key, while the private credential remains on your device, security key, or chosen credential manager. Because the credential is associated with the legitimate service domain, passkeys are designed to resist phishing. The FIDO Alliance describes them as replacements for passwords with phishing-resistant sign-in security.
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What replacing a password with a passkey actually means
A passkey is not a universal identity card that automatically works everywhere. It is a credential registered to one account at one service. You might have a passkey for an email account, another for a bank, and another for a work portal. Each service decides whether passkeys are supported, whether they can coexist with passwords, and which recovery methods remain available.
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During enrollment, your authenticator creates a public-private key pair. The website or app receives and stores the public key. The private key is protected by your device unlock method, such as a screen lock, biometric check, credential-manager approval, or hardware-key touch. At sign-in, the service challenges your authenticator, which proves possession of the private key without sending a reusable password.
#1 Best Overall
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5C NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5C NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5C NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
Phishing resistance comes from the credential being bound to the registered domain. Microsoft states in its passkeys FAQ that passkeys are phishing resistant and cannot be presented to a lookalike domain. This reduces the risk of typing a secret into a fraudulent site, but it does not eliminate malware, stolen devices, weak account recovery, or every other account threat.
Synced and device-bound passkeys are different
A synced passkey is copied securely through a credential provider so it can be available on additional devices using that provider. A device-bound passkey stays tied to a particular phone, computer, or hardware key. Synced credentials are generally more convenient when you replace devices; device-bound credentials can provide a different control and recovery model. Neither description alone tells you exactly how a particular service or provider handles backup, export, or recovery.
The FIDO Alliance supports both synced and device-bound forms. Before enrolling widely, decide which devices you need to use, how you would recover after loss, and whether a work or school administrator controls the account.
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Why migration is worth planning
The FIDO Alliance’s 2025 World Passkey Day consumer trends page reports that 36% of people had at least one account compromised due to passwords. That page does not provide sample or methodology details for the figure, so it should be read as the organization’s reported survey finding, not a universal probability for every user.
Choose where your passkeys will live
Make the storage decision before registering dozens of accounts. Your choice affects whether a replacement device can sign in immediately, whether you need another enrolled authenticator, and whether an employer can restrict the feature.
| Storage approach | Device coverage | Recovery after loss | Control and security considerations | Administrative considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform credential manager | Usually centered on the operating system’s supported phones and computers | May follow the platform’s sync and account-recovery process; verify it before relying on it | Convenient and protected by the device unlock method; sharing a device increases exposure | Organization policies can limit passwordless sign-in or credential syncing |
| Synced password manager | Can span multiple operating systems and browsers when the provider supports them | Depends on the manager’s sync account, recovery process, and access to a replacement device | Useful for mixed-device households; provider security and account protection become important | Microsoft says an organization administrator can disable synced-manager use |
| FIDO2 hardware security key | Portable across compatible devices and services; connector and protocol support matter | Requires another registered key or another account recovery route if the key is lost | Physical possession and a touch or PIN can provide strong separation from a computer | The target service must support registering a hardware key |
| Device-bound passkey | Limited to the device or authenticator where it was created | Requires a replacement credential, account recovery, or another enrolled device after loss | Does not depend on a sync provider, but portability is lower | Work and school policies may determine which authenticators are allowed |
Google documents FIDO2 security-key enrollment and Apple’s iPhone guide describes saving a passkey to a hardware key when that option is offered. Connector type, browser support, and the service’s own policy must match; a key that works with one account may not be accepted by another.
Rank #2
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key C NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key C NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key C NFC via USB-C and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
Inventory accounts and set a migration order
Do not begin by randomly converting low-value accounts. Create a list of every service you use, then mark which ones have a passkey option and which recovery methods are still usable.
Start with accounts that control other accounts
- Email and identity accounts: These can often reset access to many other services.
- Financial and government accounts: Convert them after confirming their specific recovery and device rules.
- Work and school accounts: Check whether an administrator controls passkeys, passwordless sign-in, or credential-manager synchronization.
- Frequently used services: Move the accounts where a faster, phishing-resistant sign-in will be used often.
- Remaining supported accounts: Continue through the inventory without assuming that one registration carries over to another site.
This ordering is practical guidance, not a ranking prescribed by the platform documentation. Keep a record of the account, the authenticator used, the date created, and the recovery route you verified.
Check technical prerequisites first
For each service, review its own security page and support documentation. Confirm that the operating system, browser, screen lock, and credential manager meet the service’s requirements. Google’s current account guidance lists Windows 10, macOS Ventura, ChromeOS 109, Android 9, or iOS 16 and later, along with specified supported browser versions; those are Google’s requirements and can change.
Do not infer support from the presence of a passkey feature on another site. If the security settings contain no passkey or security-key option, the service may not support enrollment yet, or the option may be limited to a particular account type, browser, region, or administrator policy.
Universal passkey enrollment workflow
Use this process for each supported account. Keep the old sign-in method available until the new credential has been tested.
- Open the legitimate service directly. Use a bookmark or type the known domain yourself. Check the account name and domain before entering credentials.
- Sign in with the current method. Complete the existing password and second-factor challenge. You must normally be authenticated before adding a passkey.
- Open security or sign-in settings. Look for labels such as Passkeys, Sign-in methods, Security keys, or Passwordless sign-in. Labels vary by service.
- Choose the create or add command. Select Create passkey, Add passkey, or the equivalent. If the service offers a choice, select your platform manager, synced manager, or FIDO2 key.
- Approve the authenticator prompt. Unlock the device, verify with biometrics or a PIN, or touch the hardware key. Follow the on-screen instructions rather than entering a passkey secret manually.
- Name or identify the credential if the service allows it. Use a description that will help you recognize a phone, computer, or key later. Do not include sensitive information in a label.
- Confirm that enrollment succeeded. The account’s security page should show the new passkey or authenticator. Record where it is stored.
- Test a fresh sign-in. Sign out only after confirming that another recovery route remains available. Sign back in with the passkey on the main device.
- Test a second-device path when needed. If you use multiple devices, try the provider’s sync or a cross-device QR flow before removing anything. Google and Microsoft document QR-based nearby-device authentication.
- Review recovery before changing passwords. Verify recovery email, phone, backup codes, trusted devices, another passkey, or another service-approved factor.
Adding a passkey does not automatically remove a password or existing recovery factors. Google explicitly says existing authentication and recovery methods remain after adding a passkey, although each service can set different removal rules.
Rank #3
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5 NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5 NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5 NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
Google Account enrollment and management
Google provides a Passkeys and security keys area for creating and managing credentials. Sign in to the Google Account, open the security settings, select the passkey option, and follow the device or hardware-key prompt. Use only a device you personally own and control: Google warns that anyone who can unlock a device with a passkey could access the account.
Google-specific checks
- Review the operating-system and browser requirements listed in Google’s Passkeys and security keys help before enrollment.
- Google supports FIDO2 security keys when the account and key meet its requirements.
- A nearby phone can approve a sign-in through a QR-code flow when offered.
- Adding a passkey does not remove existing recovery factors. Decide separately whether any password or factor should remain.
- Google Workspace administrators can affect whether passkeys are allowed or whether a passkey can replace a password at sign-in.
Apple device enrollment and iCloud Keychain considerations
Apple’s iPhone guide says to sign in to an existing supported account, open that account’s settings, and save the passkey when prompted. Passkeys can sync through iCloud Keychain, and Apple documents that a password and passkey can coexist for the same account.
Before relying on sync, review Apple’s current iCloud Keychain recovery guidance. Recovery checks and trusted-device requirements matter if every device holding the passkey is lost or replaced. The iPhone guide also describes saving a passkey to a hardware security key when a service offers that choice.
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Microsoft documents synced credentials and QR-based cross-device authentication in its passkeys FAQ. Its management instructions explain how to review saved passkeys and remove credentials that no longer apply.
Replacing a Microsoft passkey on a lost or replaced device
- Sign in through an available existing method.
- Open the account’s passkey or security-key management page.
- Set up a replacement passkey on the new device or another authenticator first.
- Check which old credentials belong to the lost or replaced device.
- Remove those old credentials from the account.
- If the account is managed by an organization, remove the credential from the local credential store as well when policy requires it.
Microsoft says organizations can disable synced-manager use. Work and school users should check with their administrator before assuming that a personal passkey manager is permitted.
Test sign-in and cross-device use before deleting anything
A passkey can be correctly enrolled yet unusable in the situation you care about, such as signing in from a second computer. Test the actual scenarios you expect to use.
Rank #4
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key NFC via USB-A and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
Main-device test
Start a new sign-in session, choose the passkey option, unlock the device, and verify that the account opens. Check that the browser is using the intended credential manager rather than creating a second credential in an unexpected location.
Nearby-phone or QR test
On a computer that lacks the passkey, choose the cross-device or nearby-device option if shown. Scan the displayed QR code with the phone that holds the credential and approve the phone prompt. Google and Microsoft both document QR-based flows, but the exact labels and availability depend on the service, browser, and device combination.
Recovery test
Confirm that you can still use at least one independent recovery route. Do not deliberately lock yourself out to test it; instead, verify that recovery information is current, that backup codes are stored safely if the service provides them, and that another enrolled authenticator is recognized.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When and how to remove passwords or old passkeys
Creating a passkey and deleting a password are separate decisions. Some services let passwords and passkeys coexist; others offer a passwordless mode; some retain a password as a fallback. Read the service’s instructions and understand what happens to recovery before removing anything.
- Keep an alternative sign-in path until the passkey works on the devices you need.
- Do not delete every password merely because one account accepted a passkey.
- Remove a passkey tied to a lost or shared device when the account allows it.
- For a replaced device, create and test the replacement credential before deleting the old one.
- If a credential manager has its own inventory, remove the obsolete local entry there as well as from the service account when appropriate.
A password may still be required for account recovery, administrator policy, legacy clients, or a service that has not implemented passwordless sign-in completely. Passkeys reduce dependence on passwords; they do not guarantee that every password disappears.
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Common problems and precise fixes
No passkey option appears
Check that you are signed in to the correct account, using a supported browser and device. Look under security, sign-in, and two-factor settings. If the option is still absent, the service may not support passkeys for that account type or may have disabled them by policy. Do not install an unverified browser extension that claims to add support.
Best Value
- FIDO2 & Passkey Ready: Business-ready and FIDO2 L1 certified. This key is supported by major management suites and is ideal for both individual and enterprise deployment. Works seamlessly with Gmail, Facebook, GitHub, Dropbox, Coinbase, and more.
- Universal Connectivity (USB-A ): Features a built-in USB-A connector—simply unfold the key and plug it into your compatible PC or laptop for seamless authentication on the go.
- Dedicated Manager App: Use the Thetis Manager App for the initial hardware PIN setup. Setting the PIN on the device first ensures a smooth registration process. Once the PIN is configured, you can begin registering the key across your favorite FIDO2-compatible online services.
- Ultra-Durable & Portable: Featuring a rotating metal cover, this key is water, crush, and tamper-resistant. It fits easily on a keychain and requires no batteries or network connectivity.
- Check FIDO2 compatibility before purchase - Known limitations: ID Austria is not supported (requires FIDO2 Level 2). Windows Hello login only works with Windows Enterprise editions that support Entra ID, and NFC is NOT supported.
The prompt creates a credential in the wrong place
Cancel the prompt and inspect which platform manager or synced manager the browser selected. Confirm the destination before approving. If the service allows multiple passkeys, label the new one clearly and remove duplicates only after a working alternative remains.
The passkey works on one device but not another
Determine whether it is device-bound or synced. For a synced credential, confirm that the same provider account is active, synchronization is enabled, and the second device meets the service’s operating-system and browser requirements. For a device-bound credential, use a cross-device QR flow, another enrolled passkey, or a hardware key instead of expecting the credential to appear automatically.
A shared or borrowed device was used
Do not enroll a passkey on a device that other people can unlock. If you already did, remove that passkey from the account from a trusted device and review active sessions and recovery settings. Google’s guidance specifically warns that anyone able to unlock the device could use the passkey.
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Organization administrators can restrict passkeys, passwordless sign-in, or synced credential managers. Follow the organization’s instructions or ask its administrator to confirm the permitted authenticator. Personal-account steps do not override those policies.
A device or security key is lost
Use another available sign-in method to open the account’s credential-management page. Remove the lost credential, revoke sessions if the service provides that control, and create a replacement passkey before deleting your last usable factor. If no other route works, use the service’s account-recovery process.
Account-by-account migration checklist
- Account domain and username verified before enrollment
- Passkey support confirmed in the service’s own settings
- Storage destination chosen deliberately
- Device screen lock, browser, and operating system meet requirements
- Passkey created on a personal, trusted device or approved security key
- Credential appears in the service’s account-management page
- Fresh sign-in tested on the primary device
- Cross-device or QR sign-in tested when relevant
- Recovery email, phone, backup code, or alternate authenticator verified
- Lost, shared, or replaced-device credentials removed
- Password removal considered separately from passkey enrollment
Security boundaries to keep in mind
Passkeys protect the sign-in exchange from many phishing attacks, but account security still depends on the device, credential provider, recovery channels, and service policy. A thief who can unlock a phone may be able to use its passkeys. A compromised email account can undermine recovery for other services. A lost hardware key can leave you without access if no second key or fallback exists.
Use a strong device unlock method, keep operating systems and browsers current, protect the account used to sync credentials, and maintain a recovery route that you can actually access. Review enrolled passkeys periodically, especially after replacing a phone, leaving a job, sharing a computer, or losing a security key.
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