Google is rolling out a very useful update to Google Password Manager, allowing users to sync passkeys across multiple devices. Up until this point, people could only save passkeys to Google Password Manager on Android, so cross-device utility was limited. Using passkeys on other devices was possible, but it required users to scan a QR code.
The update allows for saving passkeys through Google Password Manager on Windows, macOS, Linux, and of course Android. ChromeOS is currently being beta tested, so this functionality should arrive soon. Google also says that iOS support is “coming soon.”
Once saved, passkeys are automatically synced across other devices using Google Password Manager. The company says this data is end-to-end encrypted, so it would be very difficult for someone to steal the credentials.
For those who don’t know, a passkey is a little different than a password. A passkey is a digital credential that allows users to sign in to an account without using a password. The company has been using passkeys in its software suite since last year.
Today’s update also brings another layer of security to Passkey on Google Password Manager. The company has introduced a six-digit PIN that will be required when using a passkey on a new device. This will likely prevent nefarious actors from logging into an account even if they somehow acquired the digital credentials. Just don’t keep the PIN number on a sheet of paper right next to the computer.
Google Passkey can already be used with the company’s productivity software, but also with Amazon, PayPal, and WhatsApp. Google Password Manager is built directly into Chrome and Android devices.