Apple has made an exciting announcement that will make logging into their websites much easier and more convenient for users. Instead of having to remember and enter their full Apple ID credentials, including PIN and password, users will now be able to use a passkey for authentication. This passkey can be created using Face ID or Touch ID, making the login process quicker and simpler.

Apple explained that this new feature will allow users to sign into any Apple web property using their designated passkey for their Apple ID. It can also be used with “Sign in with Apple” on the web, adding to its versatility.

For those who are running beta versions of iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS Sonoma, the passkey feature can be tested on iCloud.com and appleid.apple.com starting today. For everyone else, it will become available later this year with the release of iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS Sonoma.

So, what exactly is an Apple passkey? It’s a much more user-friendly and secure alternative to traditional passwords. Apple’s passkey is based on the WebAuthn standard, which aims to eliminate the need for passwords in online authentication. By removing passwords from the equation, the risks of account compromises are reduced since passwords can be leaked or stolen. Passkeys are not reused across different sites, further mitigating the potential impact of stolen credentials.

With passkeys, users can use biometric authentication like Face ID or Touch ID, or they can opt to use a PIN for login verification. Importantly, the private key associated with the passkey never leaves the user’s devices, ensuring it cannot be leaked from websites or apps. Passkeys can even be securely shared with others using AirDrop, and they can be used on non-Apple devices to sign in to accounts.

Overall, Apple’s introduction of passkeys represents a significant step forward in streamlining the login process and enhancing security for users.

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