Meta has launched the Passkey feature on Facebook, enabling users to securely log in using fingerprints, face scans, or PINs without passwords.
Passkey Feature: If you frequently forget your Facebook password or find the OTP process cumbersome, there's good news. Meta has begun rolling out the Passkey feature on its flagship social media platform, Facebook, allowing users to log in easily and more securely without passwords.
This feature is currently available for iOS and Android devices and will soon be added to the Messenger app. With this feature, Meta has once again taken a significant step towards enhancing cybersecurity.
What is Passkey and How Does it Work?
Passkey is a password-free login technology that verifies your identity using your smartphone's biometric system—such as fingerprint, face recognition, or PIN. Its primary purpose is to protect your login credentials from online threats.
The unique aspect of Passkey is that it's not stored on a server but remains securely on the user's device. This means it offers significantly ber protection against cyber threats like phishing, data theft, or brute-force attacks.
Benefits of Passkey?
- Eliminates the hassle of remembering passwords
- Protection against phishing attacks: Even if a hacker creates a fake website to trap you, they won't succeed.
- Credentials remain on the device: Your fingerprint, face data, or PIN is never shared online.
- Each Passkey is unique: A separate Passkey is generated for each device and account, and it cannot be reused elsewhere.
- Passkeys cannot be copied or reused.
This makes the login experience faster, smoother, and more secure.
How to Set Up Passkey on Facebook?
Meta has simplified the Passkey setup process. If you're using the Facebook app, follow these steps:
- Open the Facebook app on your smartphone.
- Go to Settings and select Accounts Centre.
- Locate the Passkey option and tap on it.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
- Choose fingerprint, Face ID, or PIN for login authentication.
- That's it; you can now log in to Facebook without a password.
The Future of Passkey: Beyond Login
Meta has hinted that in the future, users will be able to use Passkey for various functions beyond Facebook login, including Meta Pay payment autofill, Messenger login, and message backup security.
This means Passkey is evolving from just a login tool into a wide-ranging digital security system.
Other Tech Companies are also Working on Passkey
Meta is not the only company adopting Passkey technology.
- Google has been supporting Passkeys on Android and Chrome since 2022.
- Major platforms like Microsoft, Amazon, PayPal, X (Twitter), and eBay have already adopted this technology.
- Apple has also integrated Passkey with iCloud Keychain in its Safari browser for enhanced security.
This trend indicates that the era of passwords is nearing its end.
Will Instagram Offer Passkey?
Although Meta has begun rolling out Passkey on Facebook and Messenger, Instagram users will have to wait a while. The company hasn't announced a timeline for the feature's availability on Instagram.
