The end of passwords is coming to Android and Chrome, at least for some users. Indeed, Google has just announced the support of passkeys for developers on its OS and its flagship browser. This simpler and much more secure authentication method will be available to everyone from November 2022.
Apple, Microsoft and Google have one thing in common: the three tech giants are determined to put an end to passwords in favor of another method of authentication. Namely, FIDO security keys. This authentication method is based on public key cryptography and “is only shown to your league account when you unlock your smartphone”, explained Google in May 2022 in its article dedicated to the disappearance of passwords on Android and Chrome.
Gold, Google just confirmed support for developer passkeys on Android and Chromiume. “This is an essential step in the widespread adoption of keypasses, which will work with your Google Password Manager to further simplify logins across devices, websites and apps, regardless of platform. ”, details Google.
A 1st step before the end of passwords on Chrome and Android
If you are using an Android smartphone, it will be fine easier to authenticate to your different accounts and services. Via this procedure, Android and Chrome will take care of proposing the creation of a passkey for the site concerned. All that remains is to confirm the account information before using the authentication mechanism of your choice (PIN code, facial recognition, fingerprint, etc.).
This done, an encrypted public key, which contains all of this information, is generated and then sent to the service provider. A private key is stored on the smartphone for later reuse. Thus, during your next connections, the system will directly prompt you to use the previously created passkey to authenticate yourself. “Instead of entering a password, you can log in using the method you usually use to unlock your smartphone (passcode, fingerprint, face recognition, etc.)”, summarizes the American giant.
Note also that if you want to connect to a site from your tablet or laptop using a passkey generated on your phone, it is possible: it will suffice to scan the QR Code of the passkey, and voila. Here, the stated goal is to allow the use of passkeys on many media : Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, Android and iOS. To do this, we must remember that Google has worked hand in hand with the FIDO Alliance and the W3C without forgetting Apple and Microsoft. As Google clarified, passkeys will be available to all Android and Chrome users in November 2022.
