Passkeys FAQs

In this article, you will find answers to some frequently asked questions about passkeys, their usability, and integration into NordPass. 

You can see a list of websites where passkeys are currently available here. Keep in mind that as passkeys and passwordless login is a new technology, their adaptation will improve with time and we will see more websites offering passkeys as an alternative to passwords. 


New: Passkeys can be used to log in to your Google Accounts. Read the information below if you are using Google to sign in to NordPass. 

  • What is a passkey?

    Passkeys are a new type of authentication that allows users to securely log in to websites and applications without having to enter their password. A passkey consists of two separate cryptography keys - public and private, that are generated during account registration. The public key is registered with the website or application while the private key is stored locally and never leaves your device. When logging in, these keys are paired and you are then granted access to the website.

    Learn more about passkeys and how they work with NordPass in the video below:


  • On which platforms are passkeys available with NordPass?

    Currently, passkeys are available on all NordPass applications (desktop, iOS, Android), NordPass Web Vault, and Firefox, Safari, and Chrome-based browser extensions.

    Detailed steps for enabling Passkeys on iOS devices.

  • Who can use passkeys in NordPass?

    Passkeys are available to all NordPass users. If you do not see the Passkeys category in your application, make sure to update to the latest version via Settings.

  • Where can I find passkeys saved in NordPass?

    Passkeys in the NordPass applications are saved in a separate item type category.

    Desktop application:



    Browser extension:



  • Can I import passkeys to a password manager?

    No, currently, there is no option to import or export passkeys to password managers.

  • How to sign up with a passkey?

    While creating an account for a website that supports passkeys, you will see an option to create a passkey or, in some cases, something similar to 'Log in with a security device'. Keep in mind, that the sign-up flow might look different depending on the website.

  • Can I change my password to a passkey?

    If you already have an account with a password on a website that supports passkeys, you should see an option in your Account Setting or Security Settings to create a passkey or to add a security device.

  • How can I use passkeys?

    The most common use of passkeys is to authenticate yourself when logging in to your account, the same as you would with a password. Passkeys can also be used as two-factor authentication (2FA) depending on the website or application.

  • Can I view a passkey?

    Unlike traditional passwords, passkeys cannot be viewed by the user and are never displayed or entered manually.

  • Can I share a passkey?

    Yes, passkeys can be shared with other NordPass users like other items in your vault. You can learn more about the NordPass sharing feature here.

  • Is it possible to have multiple passkeys to the same account?

    Yes, you can have more than one passkey with the same account if the website allows it.

  • What if there are two passkey items for the same online account?

    If the same account has multiple passkeys, NordPass will show all of them and you can choose which one to use.

  • Why can’t you change the username and website in the passkey item?

    Since a passkey for the account is linked only to the website or application where it was created, it can’t be edited. This functionality protects users from entering their login information into scam websites and applications.

  • Can I access NordPass passwordless?

    We are currently working on enabling a passwordless sign-in process for NordPass. It will be a faster and simpler process than the one now because it will require a single biometric confirmation. This means that you will be able to access your Nord Account and NordPass with a single tap of a finger. We’re also working on several passwordless authentication solutions for businesses, so stay tuned.

  • What to do if NordPass is blocking my security key (e.g. Yubikey)?

    Please close the NordPass passkey pop-up window to see a prompt to enter your security key's PIN. Our team is currently working on a clearer way to choose other solutions to handle the passkeys instead of NordPass.

  • Why am I required to enter my Master Password to create a passkey?

    Some websites require an additional verification step, which currently involves requesting your NordPass Master Password. This step allows our users to continue using passkeys on those websites. We understand that this solution is not ideal, which is why we provide biometric verification as an alternative to manually entering your Master Password if biometrics are enabled in the NordPass settings. Furthermore, our ultimate goal is to eliminate the Master Password requirement during this step entirely.



Learn more about passkeys in our What is a Passkey blog post. 

Important: If you are using Google to sign in to your Nord Account or Nord Business Account: 


Please keep in mind that it is not recommended to store both the Google account password and passkey in NordPass if you use Google as an authentication service to sign into NordPass. In case you are using Google Single Sign-On (SSO), you will need to log in to your Google account first before unlocking NordPass. Due to this, you should not depend solely on NordPass for accessing your Google account.

 

However, you can still use passkeys to access your Google account. There are two workarounds to use passkeys for the Google account used to log in to NordPass:

  • Google offers passkey authentication as an alternative to passwords, which means that you can use both a passkey and a password to log in to your Google account. A password can be used when signing in to NordPass, while a passkey stored in NordPass can be used to log in to your Google account in other cases.

  • You can create multiple passkeys for your Google account and use one that is not provided by NordPass to log in to your NordPass account. Another passkey, provided by NordPass, can be used to log in to your Google account whenever it's needed.

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