Apple could end passwords and even password managers with passkeys. A new simpler and more secure method of authentication, now supported by Apple ID accounts. The good news is that there is no need to have an Apple product.
The end of passwords seems increasingly plausible. In the future, they may be replaced by another method: passkeys. An authentication system based on a key as well as biometric recognition, a PIN code, etc. Apple is taking a major step forward by adding support for passkeys in the betas of its future operating systems: iOS 17, macOS Sonoma and iPadOS 17 via the Apple ID account.
Your Apple ID account and your Apple products will make you forget your passwords
It’s an iOS 17 tester named Aaron on Twitter, relayed by The Verge, which discovered the support of passkeys by the Apple ID account. This allows you to connect to all sites that allow you to connect via your Apple account, without using a password. Face ID or Touch ID are only required, via an iPhone, Mac or iPad. A function available on all web browsers: Chrome, Safari, Arc, etc. In fact, the configuration is done on a device and the generated key is shared between all Apple devices associated with an Apple ID account.
As of this morning, it looks like you can now use Passkeys to sign in to https://t.co/vugFzZAxv4, requires iOS 17 though. pic.twitter.com/WDJ83zx7TK
— Aaron (@aaronp613) June 20, 2023
For example, when you want to connect to a site, there is a mention ” Log in with an iPhone “. So, a QR Code that appears and you have to scan it with your iPhone or iPad. Once the biometric recognition is used, the connection is made.
No need to have Apple product to generate keys
Passkeys currently only work on select Apple sites, but when iOS 17, macOS Sonoma, and iPadOS 17 are released, all sites using Sign In with Apple will be able to use them. In fact, it is only an extension of what already exists on certain applications, such as banks, or a form of double authentication. From a technical point of view, however, the method is different.
The most important here is the generation of keys: a pair of keys is generated when registering on a site. One is public and is owned by the service in question, the other is private and added to your keychain on one of your Apple devices and synced via iCloud.
This support for passkeys on the Apple account does not require you to have an Apple product. Indeed, all you have to do is use an application that supports passkeys: this is the case with Chrome and Edge, two web browsers available on Windows and Android. These applications can also generate keys.
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