Passkeys 2025: Secure Authentication Without Passwords

Last Updated on March 17, 2025

The way we secure our online accounts is undergoing a significant transformation. For decades, we've relied on passwords—strings of characters that are increasingly difficult to manage as our digital footprints expand. Today, passkeys are emerging as the modern alternative that addresses the fundamental flaws in password-based authentication.

Traditional passwords have served us well, but their limitations have become increasingly apparent. Many of us create weak passwords that are easily compromised or reuse the same credentials across multiple sites, creating vulnerabilities that hackers are quick to exploit. Phishing attacks have also grown more sophisticated, making it challenging to keep our accounts secure.

Passkeys offer a refreshing solution by leveraging the security features already built into our devices. Using cryptographic keys and familiar authentication methods like fingerprint scans or facial recognition, passkeys provide both enhanced security and improved convenience.

The Current State of Passkey Adoption

The trajectory of passkey adoption in 2025 shows strong signs that this technology is moving from an emerging solution to a mainstream authentication method. Over one billion individuals have already activated at least one passkey, demonstrating significant real-world adoption.

Consumer awareness has grown substantially over the past two years, jumping from 39% to 57%. The infrastructure readiness is even more telling—more than 15 billion online accounts have been enabled to support passkey authentication, creating a robust user ecosystem.

Andrew Shikiar, a leading figure in the FIDO Alliance, anticipates that by the end of 2025, one in four of the world's top 1,000 websites will offer passkey login options. This prediction reflects the growing confidence in passkey technology among major online service providers.

The adoption is spreading across diverse sectors. Major banks will begin large-scale passkey implementations in 2025, a significant endorsement given the banking industry's traditionally cautious approach to security innovations. Enterprises are increasingly deploying passkeys for employee authentication, motivated by improved user experience and enhanced security, particularly for staff handling sensitive information.

Who's Using Passkeys?

The adoption of passkeys spans a diverse range of companies and sectors, reflecting their versatility and broad appeal. Major technology platforms are leading the way, with companies like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Apple integrating passkey support into their services.

Institutions that traditionally prioritize security in the financial sector are beginning to embrace passkeys. American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, and Wells Fargo are among the financial services companies that have started offering passkey support.

E-commerce platforms have rapidly adopted passkeys. Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and eBay now offer passkey authentication, making this technology accessible to millions of online shoppers.

The public sector is also moving toward passkey implementation, with services like Australia's MyGov leading the way. The State of Michigan's MiLogin system has already seen tangible benefits, reporting a significant reduction in password reset support calls after implementing passkeys.

Other notable adopters include:

• Social media and communication: Discord, LinkedIn, TikTok, X (Twitter), WhatsApp
• Content creation tools: Adobe, Notion
• Gaming services: PlayStation Network, Nintendo, Roblox
• Travel companies: Air New Zealand, Hyatt, KAYAK
• Cryptocurrency exchanges: Coinbase

Password managers such as 1Password, Bitwarden, Dashlane, and Google Password Manager have also integrated support for passkeys, providing users with centralized management of these credentials.

How Passkeys Work: A User-Friendly Approach

Passkeys represent a significant shift in how we think about authentication, replacing memorized passwords with cryptographic keys securely stored on devices. The underlying technology is both sophisticated and user-friendly, designed to enhance security without adding complexity.

At their core, passkeys use public-key cryptography, where each service you access gets a unique cryptographic key pair. The private key remains securely stored on your device, while the public key is registered with the website or application. When you log in, your device proves your identity using this private key without ever sharing the key itself across the internet.

The user experience is refreshingly simple. Instead of typing a password, you authenticate using the same biometric methods you already use to unlock your device—a fingerprint scan, facial recognition, or a device PIN.

Setting up passkeys varies slightly across platforms but follows a consistent pattern:

• On iPhones: You're typically prompted to save a passkey when signing up for a new account or within account settings on supported websites
• On macOS: Set up passkeys through the Passwords section in System Settings
• For Microsoft accounts: Navigate to Advanced Security Options and select the option for face, fingerprint, PIN, or security key.
• On Android: Find passkey settings within Google account security options

One of the most convenient features of passkeys is cross-device authentication. This allows you to use a passkey stored on one device (like your smartphone) to log in on another device (like your laptop) through Bluetooth connections or by scanning a QR code.

The Passkey Advantage

The growing adoption of passkeys is driven by several tangible benefits that improve both security and user experience.

Enhanced Security

Passkeys are inherently phishing-resistant because they rely on cryptographic verification tied to specific domains. Unlike passwords, which can be entered on fraudulent websites, passkeys will only work with legitimate sites. CVS Health reported a remarkable 98% reduction in account takeover fraud after implementing passkeys.

Passkeys also effectively eliminate credential stuffing attacks, where cybercriminals use stolen password databases to attempt access to other accounts. Since each passkey is unique to a specific service and never reused across sites, compromising one account doesn't endanger others.

Improved User Experience

Login times with passkeys are significantly faster than with traditional passwords. Some companies have reported dramatic improvements, with Tokyu documenting logins that are 12 times faster and TikTok experiencing speeds 2 to 17 times quicker than password-based authentication.

Organizational Benefits

Passkeys also offer operational advantages for organizations. After implementing passkeys, the State of Michigan's MiLogin system saw a reduction of 1,300 password reset support calls. This decrease in support overhead represents real cost savings while simultaneously improving the user experience.

Platform and Browser Support

One of the key factors driving passkey adoption is the broad support across major operating systems and web browsers.

Operating System Support

• Windows: Windows 10 and newer
• macOS: Ventura (13) and later
• ChromeOS: Version 109+
• iOS/iPadOS: Version 16+
• Android: Version 9+

Browser Support

• Google Chrome: Version 109+ (desktop and mobile)
• Safari: Version 16+ (iOS and macOS)
• Microsoft Edge: Version 109+ (desktop and mobile)
• Mozilla Firefox: Supports WebAuthn standard with ongoing feature enhancements

Syncing Capabilities

Each platform offers different approaches to managing passkeys across multiple devices:

• Apple: iCloud Keychain, with a dedicated Passwords app in macOS 15
• Google: Password Manager for Chrome and Android users
• Microsoft: Windows-synced passkeys for synchronization across Windows devices

Hardware security keys that adhere to the FIDO2 protocol are also compatible with passkey authentication, providing an additional option for users who prefer physical security tokens.

Challenges and Considerations

While passkeys offer significant advantages, they also come with certain challenges as this technology continues to mature.

One notable issue stems from the existence of different types of passkeys. Some are “device-bound,” meaning they remain on the specific device where they were created, while others are “synced” across multiple devices through cloud services. This distinction can create confusion when users encounter websites that support one type but not the other.

Device dependency is another consideration. Since passkeys are stored on user devices, a device's loss or damage could potentially affect access to accounts. While syncing solutions help mitigate this risk, users must understand their recovery options in case of device loss.

The transition from passwords to passkeys also presents adoption challenges. Many users have established password habits and may hesitate to change their familiar authentication methods. Clear education about passkeys' benefits and proper usage is essential for driving adoption.

Finally, there are current limitations in migrating passkeys between different vendors or platforms. This can create friction for users who switch devices or prefer specific passkey management solutions.

The Road Ahead: Expert Predictions

Industry analysts and security experts have made several insightful predictions about how passkey technology will evolve through 2025 and beyond.

The FIDO Alliance anticipates significant breakthroughs in the banking and payments sectors this year. Major financial institutions are expected to begin large-scale rollouts of passkey support in 2025. Companies like Mastercard and Visa are already piloting programs that utilize passkeys for transaction authentication.

The increasing sophistication of AI-driven phishing scams is likely to accelerate passkey adoption. As artificial intelligence makes it easier for malicious actors to create convincing personalized phishing attacks, passkeys' inherent phishing resistance becomes increasingly valuable.

Enterprise implementation of passkeys is expanding rapidly, with research showing that 87% of U.S. and UK workforces are deploying passkeys for employee sign-ins. Organizations are prioritizing passkey implementation for users who handle sensitive data.

The travel and hospitality industry, where frequent logins and handling of personal information are common, is also expected to see increased adoption. Early adopters like Air New Zealand and Hyatt have demonstrated the practicality of passkeys in this sector.

By the end of 2025, experts predict that approximately one in four of the internet's top 1,000 websites will support passkey authentication, marking a significant milestone in the journey toward a passwordless future.

Conclusion

The evolution of passkeys represents one of the most significant advances in authentication technology in recent years. Passkeys offer a thoughtful balance between enhanced security and improved user experience—a combination that has eluded password-based systems for decades.

The broad support across major platforms and services, combined with the tangible benefits already being reported by early adopters, suggests that passkeys are well-positioned to become a cornerstone of online authentication. While challenges remain in standardization and user education, the trajectory is clear: passkeys are transitioning from an emerging technology to a mainstream authentication method.

Now is an ideal time for individuals to begin familiarizing themselves with passkeys. When offered the option to create a passkey during account setup or in security settings, consider taking that step. The learning curve is minimal, as the authentication process typically leverages the same biometric methods you already use to unlock your devices.

For organizations, implementing passkey support represents an opportunity to enhance security while simultaneously improving the user experience. The reduction in support costs and potential protection against increasingly sophisticated phishing attempts make a compelling business case for adoption.

As we move through 2025 and beyond, the steady expansion of passkey technology across our digital landscape marks a meaningful step toward a more secure and user-friendly online experience—one that finally frees us from the limitations of traditional passwords while strengthening our collective security.