Google now includes the ability to use passkeys to access your account and services, and in this guide, you will learn how to enable the feature on your Google Account.
Passkeys is a security technology that uses biometric authentication methods such as fingerprint, face scan, and PIN on the device to sign in to websites and apps for a passwordless experience. Passkeys are replacements for passwords since they are resistant to online attacks (such as phishing).
Previously, Google brought the passkey experience to Chrome and Android, and now, you can also configure your Google Account. Although passkeys make your account more secure, remember that each key is unique to each device, meaning that you have to configure a new passkey for each computer or phone you want to access that specific Google Account.
This guide will teach you the steps to create and set a passkey on your Google Account.
Set up Passkey to secure your Google Account
To set up a Passkey on a Google Account, use these steps:
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Open Google Account (web).
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Sign in with your account (if applicable).
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Click on Security.
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Under the “How you sign in to Google” section, click the Passkeys button.
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Click the “Create a Passkey” button.
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Click the Continue button.
Quick note: You can also choose the “Use another device” option to use your phone or another computer to authenticate with this method. -
Confirm your device account credentials. For example, Windows Hello PIN, Face, or Fingerprint.
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Click the Done button.
Once you complete the steps, you can use your fingerprint, face, screen lock, or hardware security key to verify as you sign in to your Google services (such as Gmail, Google Search, Maps, Google Play Store, Google One, etc.) on that particular device.
These instructions configure a passkey for a specific device, in this case, a Windows 11 computer. However, since the passkeys are unique to each device, you will have to repeat the same steps on each computer or phone you will be accessing the account.
It’s important to note that Google’s passkeys support is an option available in addition to the other sign options, including passwords, 2-Step Verification (2SV), Authenticator app, Google prompt, and others.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].