--- url: 'https://www.corbado.com/blog/how-to-enable-passkeys-macos' title: 'How to Enable Passkeys on macOS' description: 'Learn how to enable & activate passkeys on macOS. This guide explains how to set up passkeys on macOS, allowing for passwordless logins.' lang: 'en' author: 'Max' date: '2024-09-19T14:41:08.741Z' lastModified: '2026-09-29T12:11:21.431Z' keywords: 'enable passkeys macOS, activate passkeys apple, passkeys apple, passkeys macOS' category: 'Passkeys User Tips' --- # How to Enable Passkeys on macOS ## Key Facts - **macOS Ventura (macOS 13)** is the minimum OS version required to create and use passkeys on MacBook, iMac and Mac Mini devices. - **iCloud Keychain** must be active to save passkeys on macOS. If not enabled, you are prompted to turn it on during passkey creation via System Settings. - **Two-factor authentication** must be enabled for your Apple ID as a prerequisite before passkeys can be created or used on macOS. - **macOS 15** (released September 2024) introduced a standalone Passwords App, replacing the iCloud Keychain settings location for passkey storage and management. - Passkeys sync across Apple devices via iCloud Keychain. For non-Apple platforms, third-party managers like 1Password or Dashlane enable cross-platform passkey access. ## 1. Introduction: How to Passkeys on macOS Passkeys offer a **secure and convenient alternative** to traditional passwords by allowing login through biometrics such as facial recognition, fingerprints, or a PIN. They provide a **modern, phishing-resistant method** to protect your accounts. This guide will walk you through the process of **activating and managing passkeys on your macOS device**, the necessary requirements, and how to use them across different devices. ## 2. Requirements for Setting Up Passkeys on macOS Passkeys offer a simple and secure way to log in to compatible websites and apps without using passwords, utilizing [Face ID](https://www.corbado.com/faq/is-face-id-passkey) or Touch ID for authentication. **Is my macOS device passkey-ready?** | **Device** | **Minimum Passkey-ready OS version** | | ------------------------- | ------------------------------------ | | MacBook / iMac / Mac Mini | macOS Ventura (macOS 13) or later | To save a passkey on macOS, you **must have iCloud Keychain activated**. If iCloud Keychain is not enabled when creating a passkey, you will be prompted to turn it on (you can enable it by going to System **Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > Passwords** and Keychain). Additionally, passkeys require [two-factor authentication](https://www.corbado.com/blog/psd2-passkeys/are-passkeys-two-factor-authentication) ([2FA](https://www.corbado.com/blog/psd2-passkeys/are-passkeys-two-factor-authentication)) to be enabled for your Apple ID. ![Enable iCloud Keychain macOS](https://www.corbado.com/website-assets/Screenshot_2024_09_19_at_09_34_54_b226f42969.png) ## 3. Benefits of Enabling Passkeys on macOS Using passkeys on macOS offers several benefits over traditional password-based authentication: **Enhanced Security**: Passkeys use [public key cryptography](https://www.corbado.com/glossary/public-key-cryptography), ensuring the private key is securely stored on the device. This greatly reduces the risk of [phishing](https://www.corbado.com/glossary/phishing) and credential theft. Unlike traditional passwords, which can be stolen or leaked, this cryptographic approach provides a much stronger level of security. **Improved User Experience**: Passkeys eliminate the need to remember or manage multiple passwords. On macOS, authenticating with a passkey is as simple as a quick biometric check (like a [Face ID](https://www.corbado.com/faq/is-face-id-passkey) or Touch ID) or entering a device PIN, making the process faster and more user-friendly than passwords. **Seamless Cross-Device Compatibility**: When a passkey is set up on a macOS device, it is automatically available on all other macOS devices logged in with the same Apple ID. This allows a passkey created on one device to be used across all Apple devices under the same account. ## 4. How to Set Up Passkeys on Your macOS Device ### 4.1 Set up passkeys on pre macOS 15 Passkeys can be created and saved for apps and websites that support them. The process for creating and saving a passkey may differ depending on the app, website, or browser, but it generally involves steps like the following: 1. Open a website or app that supports passkeys (e.g. Google, as below, or [this passkey demo](https://passkeys.eu/#signup-init)) 2. [Create a passkey](https://www.corbado.com/blog/passkey-creation-best-practices) through your account settings. Typically, this can be done in the registration process or by navigating to the account settings: **Account Settings > Security > Passkeys and Security Keys**. ![macos google settings](https://www.corbado.com/website-assets/Screenshot_2024_09_20_at_09_04_33_375cc8bb70.png) 3. Click on **Create a passkey**: ![create passkey google](https://www.corbado.com/website-assets/Screenshot_2024_09_20_at_09_03_51_b17f8f4318.png) 4. On macOS, the pre-defined [iCloud Keychain](https://www.corbado.com/glossary/icloud-keychain) verification is performed (here: Touch ID). Proceed with the verification, and then select OK. ![Passkey Creation Touch ID](https://www.corbado.com/website-assets/Screenshot_2024_09_16_at_16_28_55_9dda62d2fd.png) 5. Your passkey is saved. The passkeys you created are stored on your macOS device at **Settings > Passwords**. There, you can manage and edit them. You can have a passkey and password for the same app or website and find them both under the same account. ![Apple Passkeys Settings](https://www.corbado.com/website-assets/Screenshot_2024_09_19_at_10_14_54_4cc635c84e.png) ### 4.2 Set up passkeys on macOS 15 With the **macOS 15** update in September 2024, Apple introduced the new **Passwords-App** for macOS 15 and [iOS 18](https://www.corbado.com/blog/ios-18-passkeys-automatic-passkey-upgrades). Instead of managing passwords through the operating system, this standalone app now offers more flexibility, including the ability to import passwords and passkeys from other services. It retains all the features of the former [iCloud Keychain](https://www.corbado.com/glossary/icloud-keychain), but with enhanced management options, data import capabilities, and the added functionality of serving as an [authenticator](https://www.corbado.com/glossary/authenticator) app. This update does not significantly change the passkey setup process on macOS. The only change is the location where your passkeys are stored and managed. Instead of going to settings > passwords, open the new **Passwords-App** on your macOS 15 device. First, you have to unlock the Passwords-App with your password or Touch ID. ![macos 15 password app](https://www.corbado.com/website-assets/Screenshot_2024_09_20_at_10_57_39_8ce0d43cb4.png) In the Passwords-App, click on the Passkeys-Button. There, you can manage and edit all the passkeys you created on Apple devices, linked to your Apple ID. You can have a passkey and password for the same app or website and find them both under the same account. ![macos password app](https://www.corbado.com/website-assets/Screenshot_2024_09_20_at_10_55_19_845016990e.png) ## 5. How to Log In with Passkeys on macOS Passkeys are available across all your devices that are signed in with the same Apple ID, thanks to synchronization via [iCloud Keychain](https://www.corbado.com/glossary/icloud-keychain). While the exact steps for logging in with a passkey can vary by app, website, or browser, the general process usually includes the following: 1. Open a website or app that supports passkeys and tap the input field for your username (which can be any unique identifier, such as an email address or phone number) on the login screen. 2. Logging in: - **Conditional UI Login**: Tap the suggested username that appears at the bottom of the screen or above the keyboard. - **Regular Login**: If the username doesn’t automatically appear in the autofill menu or if you prefer to use a different one, manually enter it. 3. Use [Face ID](https://www.corbado.com/faq/is-face-id-passkey) or Touch ID to complete the login. If Face ID or Touch ID is not set up on your device, you can use your device passcode (the code used to unlock your device). ![Log In via Touch ID and Passkey](https://www.corbado.com/website-assets/Screenshot_2024_09_16_at_16_31_36_30155cc6c2.png) On macOS 15, the only change is the logo of the Passwords App. ![sign in passkeys macos 15](https://www.corbado.com/website-assets/sign_in_passkeys_macos_15_9c537c0d63.png) 4. The saved passkey will then automatically complete the login process. If you want to log in on your current macOS device using a passkey stored on a different device that is not linked to your Apple ID, you may have the option to select “Other Options” (or a similar prompt) instead of “Continue.” Follow the on-screen instructions to proceed, where you can either use another device (like an iPhone, iPad, or [Android](https://www.corbado.com/blog/how-to-enable-passkeys-android) device) via [Cross-Device authentication](https://www.corbado.com/blog/proximity-exchange-protocol-pxp) methods, such as QR codes and Bluetooth, or utilize a [security key](https://www.corbado.com/glossary/security-key) (e.g., [YubiKey](https://www.corbado.com/glossary/yubikey)). Read more details on Cross-Device authenticationin this blog post. ## 6. Using Passkeys Saved on Your macOS Device on Other Devices Using a passkey saved on your macOS device to log in on another Apple device is both easy and secure. Passkeys created on macOS are stored in your iCloud Keychain, ensuring they are accessible across all your Apple devices that are signed in with the same Apple ID. This seamless integration allows you to use passkeys effortlessly between devices, providing a consistent and secure login experience. However, to use your passkeys on non-Apple devices, you’ll need to use a third-party [password manager](https://www.corbado.com/blog/passkeys-vs-password-managers), like described in the following paragraph. ## 7. Integrating Passkeys with Password Managers on macOS Passkeys created on macOS are saved in your Apple Keychain and can be used on all your Apple devices. But they are not limited to just Apple devices. To ensure your passkeys are accessible across different platforms, you can integrate them with password managers like [Dashlane](https://www.corbado.com/blog/dashlane-passkeys) or [1Password](https://www.corbado.com/blog/1password-passkeys-best-practices-analysis): 1. **Open Password Manager**: Use your preferred [password manager](https://www.corbado.com/blog/passkeys-vs-password-managers) that supports passkeys. 2. **Set Up Sync**: Follow the manager’s instructions to sync passkeys between your devices. 3. **Manage Across Devices**: Enjoy seamless access to your passkeys regardless of device or platform. ## 8. FAQ: Passkeys on macOS ### 8.1 Where are macOS passkeys stored? Passkeys created on your pre-macOS 15 devices are stored in the iCloud Keychain linked to your Apple ID. On devices with macOS 15, passkeys are stored in the new **Passwords App**, allowing seamless use across all your Apple devices signed in with the same Apple ID. ### 8.2 Can I enable passkeys on macOS for use with Windows or Android? Yes, passkeys can be used across various platforms, including [Android](https://www.corbado.com/blog/how-to-enable-passkeys-android). Here’s how it works: **Platform Independence**: Passkeys are not limited to a single company’s devices, browsers, or operating systems. Although they are often tied to specific systems by default (like [Windows Hello](https://www.corbado.com/glossary/windows-hello) for Windows, [Google Password](https://www.corbado.com/blog/how-to-use-google-password-manager) Manager for [Android](https://www.corbado.com/blog/how-to-enable-passkeys-android), and iCloud Keychain for [iOS](https://www.corbado.com/blog/webauthn-errors) and macOS), they are designed for compatibility across different platforms and devices. **Backup and Synchronization**: Passkeys are securely backed up and synchronized through services like iCloud Keychain and [Google Password Manager](https://www.corbado.com/blog/how-to-use-google-password-manager). For example, when logging into an account on a Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV, you can use Face ID or your fingerprint for verification, keeping your passkeys accessible across all Apple devices linked to the same iCloud account. Also [Google Password Manager](https://www.corbado.com/blog/how-to-use-google-password-manager) now syncs passkeys across Chrome on Windows, macOS and Android, which is ground-breaking as Google solves [cross-platform passkey](https://www.corbado.com/faq/passkeys-cross-platform) issues. **Third-Party Managers**: Password managers like [1Password](https://www.corbado.com/blog/1password-passkeys-best-practices-analysis) and [Dashlane](https://www.corbado.com/blog/dashlane-passkeys) enable the use of passkeys across different platforms by facilitating synchronization and management, enhancing cross-device and cross-system usability. ### 8.3 How safe are Apple passskeys? Passkeys are designed to be phish-resistant and cannot be stolen or reused like traditional passwords, making them significantly safer than traditional passwords. ## 9. How Corbado can help The steps above work cleanly on one Mac. Across a real user base the picture gets messier: macOS versions from Ventura to Sequoia, Safari sitting next to Chrome and Firefox, the pre-macOS 15 Settings location versus the new Passwords App and iCloud Keychain passkeys that sync to some Apple devices but stay device-bound on others. [Corbado Observe](https://www.corbado.com/observe) is the [authentication observability](https://www.corbado.com/blog/authentication-observability) layer that shows how these macOS and Safari variations play out in your own login data, and it runs on top of your existing auth stack instead of replacing it. - **OS and browser breakdown:** see passkey outcomes split by macOS version and browser, so you catch where older builds or a specific Safari version trip up your users. - **Client Capabilities:** track [platform authenticator](https://www.corbado.com/glossary/platform-authenticator) and [Conditional UI](https://www.corbado.com/glossary/conditional-ui) availability across macOS and Safari, the same Touch ID and iCloud Keychain support section 2 covers. - **Passkey Insights:** measure how many macOS passkeys sync through iCloud Keychain versus stay device-bound and which [authenticator](https://www.corbado.com/glossary/authenticator) and transport they use. - **Passkey vs password:** compare login success for passkey and password on macOS side by side, so you can prove the switch pays off with your own numbers. You get a clear view of how the macOS and Safari mix affects real logins, so you can fix the version and browser combinations that actually cost you sign-ins. ## 10. Conclusion: How to Activate Passkeys on macOS Setting up passkeys on macOS is simple and provides substantial benefits for both security and convenience. By replacing traditional passwords with passkeys, you lower the risk of [phishing](https://www.corbado.com/glossary/phishing) and benefit from a smoother login experience. Begin your path to a passwordless future by setting up passkeys on your macOS ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How do I log in with a passkey on macOS if I want to use a passkey stored on a different device not linked to my Apple ID? On macOS, you can select 'Other Options' on the login prompt to authenticate using a passkey stored on a separate device such as an iPhone, iPad or Android phone. This uses cross-device authentication methods including QR codes and Bluetooth to complete the login. ### Can I have both a passkey and a password for the same account on macOS? Yes, macOS allows you to store both a passkey and a password for the same app or website under the same account. On pre-macOS 15 devices, both are accessible via Settings > Passwords, while on macOS 15 they are managed through the new Passwords App. ### Why does setting up a passkey on macOS require two-factor authentication for my Apple ID? Apple requires 2FA on your Apple ID as a foundational security layer before passkeys can be created or used on macOS. This requirement exists because passkeys are stored and synced via iCloud Keychain, which itself depends on 2FA to protect account access.