Why Tech Giants Are Switching to Passkeys (And Why You Should, Too)

Over the past several years, industry-leading companies have been competing to develop more efficient, secure, and simpler login experiences.

From encrypted messaging applications to biometric scanning, the pursuit of a completely frictionless authentication experience has yielded one revolutionary solution: passkeys.

You may have heard the hype surrounding this password-free technology, particularly as tech behemoths Apple, Google, and Microsoft start deploying it on a large scale. But what's driving the shift, and how can you benefit from it?

But before we get into the nitty-gritty of how passkeys function, it's helpful to understand what a passkey is. Passkeys trade in frustrating old-style passwords for more sophisticated methods of authentication, such as a cryptographic key paired with your device and biometrics, so you'll never need to remember (or reset) that pesky string of characters again.

The emerging tech is already being implemented by big-name platforms, and it's not hard to see why.

Passwords Are So Last Decade

Let's be real: We reached "peak password" years ago. Each year, the experts have lamented the security risk of password reuse, the inconvenience of needing to remember them, and the ongoing scourge of phishing.

Even password managers, the touted new solution, introduce their own level of complexity. The traditional password is a vestigial remnant that can harm both user experience and security.

Passkeys, meanwhile, rely on something you have (a device) and something you are (a fingerprint, face scan, or PIN lock). That multi-factor approach provides fewer paths for hackers to attack. There is no central database of static credentials to be hacked and no password entered to be intercepted.

Passkeys close the door that traditional passwords leave wide open to attackers.

A Movement Spearheaded by Industry Giants

When some of the largest technology brands converge on a common technology standard, that's a good sign of a paradigm shift in the offing. Apple's Secure Enclave, Google's cloud suite of services, and Microsoft's operating system environments are all converging on passkeys as a fundamental authentication mechanism.

Some are even discussing a future where passkeys become the default authentication method on smart devices, ranging from smartphones to wearables.

These companies understand that frustratingly high-friction login experiences are a real deal-breaker for customers, especially on mobile, where typing out a 16-character password with special characters is a chore. By facilitating biometric or device-based authentication, passkeys simplify and speed up login for users, which in turn translates to higher customer satisfaction and retention.

Lower Abandon Rate, Increased Engagement

For companies that make their revenues from registered users or subscribers, cloud services, streaming services, and online shopping are the first that come to mind—friction in the login or signup experience is an enormous issue.

The more steps you introduce, the more likely your users are to drop off. With passkeys, users can log in with a glance or tap.

This frictionless interaction means reduced drop-offs during registration and quicker access to services, which in a world where seconds matter to retain customers, is invaluable.

In addition, passkeys eliminate the hated "forgot password" scenario, decreasing support tickets and missed sales. Instead of getting bogged down in an email confirmation rabbit hole or a text message ping-pong game, a user can zip right along with biometric authentication. It's the kind of seamless, faster experience that keeps customers coming back for more.

Data Security That Goes Beyond Passwords

Security is at the forefront of the passkey revolution. With hardware and biometrics combined, passkeys make it significantly more difficult for attackers to leverage accounts in unwanted manners. No typed password can be intercepted by keyloggers, and phishing attacks plummet when users do not type secrets into suspicious sites.

Additionally, passkeys usually use public-key cryptography, so even if a hacker did succeed in breaching a server, what they'd be left with is cryptographic information that can't be reverse-engineered into a login credential.

As more of our everyday life, banking, and telemedicine go online, this kind of strong security is essential.

What It Means to You

Besides the technical advantages, passkeys represent a massive leap in user-centered design. Gone are the days of managing a multitude of passwords, recycling previously used ones, or even changing them in response to a breach.

You needn't be a cybersecurity expert to stay protected; the simple fact that it's a mix of hardware-based security and biometric verification shifts the onus of security onto technology and away from human recall.

For app and business creators, adopting passkeys is about more than just jumping on the bandwagon for the latest thing. It's investing in an easier, safer, more sustainable tomorrow.

Fewer abandonment rates, greater user trust, and fewer account recovery experiences filled with frustration equate to you being able to concentrate on what is most important: developing great products and services.

The bottom line is straightforward: Passkeys are not just another tech trend.

They're becoming the new gold standard of verification, changing the way we interact with devices and online services in a hurry. Passwords won't go away overnight, perhaps, but their days are numbered. If you appreciate frictionless access, first-rate security, and a simpler digital existence, join the choir of the converted.

The tech titans are on board, and before long, you'll wonder how you managed without it.