Fri Sep 20 12:40:02 UTC 2024: ## Google Expands Passkey Support, Making Account Security Easier
**San Francisco, CA – September 20, 2024** – Google has announced a major update to its Google Password Manager, allowing users to save passkeys across all their devices. Previously, passkey storage was limited to Android devices, requiring users to scan QR codes for login on other platforms. This new update eliminates the inconvenience, enabling seamless passkey syncing across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and ChromeOS.
The update brings enhanced security with the introduction of a new Google Password Manager PIN. This PIN acts as an additional layer of protection, ensuring passkeys are end-to-end encrypted and accessible only to the user, even by Google. Users will need to remember this PIN for new device logins, but can also utilize their Android phone’s screen lock if they forget.
Passkeys, hailed by tech giants like Google, Amazon, PayPal, and WhatsApp, offer a more secure alternative to traditional passwords. Despite their growing popularity, passwords are unlikely to disappear any time soon. Google’s continued focus on password management, even with the passkey update, reflects this reality.
This move by Google demonstrates its commitment to providing users with greater choice and flexibility in account security. It remains to be seen whether passkeys will fully replace passwords, but this update marks a significant step towards a more secure and user-friendly future for online accounts.
First Piper 