Passkeys Are Growing Up: Apple Makes Them Easier to Use Across Devices

Let's Unjargon the concept of passkeys!

You're not alone if you've ever gotten locked out of a website because you lost your device or couldn't easily transfer your passwords; it happens to me quite a bit. That's one of the main reasons for passkeys: they allow you to log into websites without passwords. But they haven't fully caught on with everyone yet. Good news: Apple is making a big move to fix that.

Wait, What Are Passkeys?

Think of a passkey as a secure, digital key that unlocks your accounts without needing a password. They're more secure than the usual login because your password can't be exposed and stolen through phishing or leaking your password. This is how it works:

When you sign up for an app or site, like Google, your phone or laptop creates two keys:

• One stays safely on your device - this is the private key

• The other goes to Google's services - this is the public key

When you sign in, your device proves it holds the right key. That's it. No password needed.

The problem before now was that you couldn't move passkeys easily between different platforms. A passkey saved on your iPhone would stay on your iPhone and maybe your other devices using iCloud. But what if you want to switch to Windows or Android? Or if you want to move your login to a different password manager? You wouldn't be able to do it.

The Fix: Passkey Import/Export

Apple just announced at its WWDC event that they're releasing a new passkey import/export feature across all major devices - iPhone, iPad, Mac, and even Vision Pro.

What it does:

• Let's you move your passkeys from Apple devices to others like Windows or Android.

• Allows you to switch between apps like 1Password, Bitwarden, or Dashlane.

• Keeps the transfer secure using Face ID or fingerprint.

• No messy text files or unencrypted files.

So why does this matter? Because you and I now have the freedom to control our credentials without feeling locked into one brand or application.

Keeping track of and having to remember passwords suck. They get leaked, reused, stolen, or guessed. Passkeys are better, but only if they're easy to use. This new import/export feature brings us one step closer to making passkeys the future for everyone, from the average user to the techies. That ultimately could mean better usability and fewer password breaches.

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Unjargon IT is my new blog series that breaks down complex tech trends into language you can actually use.

Have a question about passkeys, password managers, or device security? Drop it in the comments or message me directly.