How to optimize passkey creation flow (mobile vs desktop)?

Organizations significantly increase passkey adoption by customizing passkey creation flows specifically for mobile and desktop platforms. User behavior and expectations vary widely between these devices, making a tailored approach essential for success.

On mobile devices, users expect interactions to be seamless and intuitive. To leverage this:

• Automatic Prompts: Automatically trigger passkey enrollment immediately after login. This approach has been successfully adopted by companies like Amazon, resulting in 30–50% higher acceptance rates compared to manual triggers.
• Biometric Integration: Highlight convenience by clearly communicating that passkeys utilize familiar biometric methods (fingerprint, Face ID), reducing user friction and boosting adoption.
• Minimal User Actions: Keep the mobile flow as concise as possible. Each additional step can dramatically decrease completion rates.

Desktop environments require a more measured, user-controlled approach:

• Manual Triggers: Allow users to initiate passkey creation explicitly rather than automatically triggering the flow. Automatic desktop triggers often feel intrusive and can decrease adoption rates.
• Clear Messaging: Utilize straightforward, compelling messaging like "Secure your next login without typing passwords," making the security and convenience benefits immediately clear.
• Repeated Prompts with Cooldown: If users skip the initial prompt, gently reintroduce the passkey setup during subsequent logins. After multiple skips, implement a 30-day cooldown to reduce frustration.

By clearly differentiating passkey creation flows for mobile and desktop users, organizations achieve optimal balance between user experience and security, significantly increasing passkey adoption rates across their entire user base.