How to Share Passkeys via AirDrop & Shared Groups on Apple

1. Share Passkeys via AirDrop#

Apple keeps on pushing the passwordless future with passkeys with its macOS Sonoma update: After users were already able to airdrop their passkeys to other users, they can now also share passkeys via a shared group.

This article provides detailed instructions on how to perform both actions, ensuring a seamless passwordless experience.

You can use AirDrop to securely share passkeys for a website or app account with users of an iPhone, iPad or Mac.

1. Navigate to "Passwords" in your system settings and select the passkey you wish to share.

2. Click the "Share" icon to airdrop a copy of your passkey.

Sharing a passkey via AirDrop works similarly on MacBook, iPad, and iPhone.

Note: There are strict requirements for sharing passkeys: You have activated and set up the iCloud Keychain on your iPhone. In addition, the person you are sharing the passkey with must be in your contact list with the email address used for iCloud, and you must be in the other person's contact list with the email address used for iCloud. Otherwise, the AirDrop of your passkey will be declined.

2. Share Passkeys via a Shared Group#

With shared groups, you can easily and securely share passkeys with trusted contacts. All members of the group can add passkeys.

1. Navigate to Passwords in your iPhones system settings.

2. Click on Get Started and the on Continue.

3. Add people to the shared group, ensuring they are in your contacts.

4. After naming and creating the group, choose which passkeys to share and decide whether to notify the group members.

5. When you created a group, you can add and remove other members or delete the group. Other members of the group do not have this option but can leave the group at any time. You can manage your group and shared passkeys by going to "Passwords" in your system settings.

6. Navigate to your group and click "Manage" to add or remove passkeys and group members.

Sharing via a group works on the MacBook and iPad in the same way as on the iPhone.

Note: To be able to add people, they must be saved as a contact, with passkey sharing enabled and using a device with iOS 17, iPadOS 17 or macOS Sonoma (or newer).

Your shared passkeys are saved in the iCloud Keychain. You can use them like any other passkey. However, if you move a passkey to a shared group, you can only access that password on devices running iOS 17, iPadOS 17 or macOS (or later).

3. Share Passkeys with Your Family#

If you want to share passkeys with your family, this works the same way as with a shared group - you only no longer have to add them as members as this happens automatically.

4. Conclusion#

Apple's commitment to a passwordless future continues to evolve with the introduction of passkeys in macOS Sonoma. The ability to share passkeys not only between your own devices but also with other users via shared groups represents a significant step forward in even more convenience in a passwordless future. This feature is currently still exclusive to Apple devices, which puts Apple one step ahead of other tech giants. However, we eagerly anticipate that passkey sharing will be adopted by other providers in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions#

How do I share a passkey with someone using AirDrop on my iPhone?#

Open Passwords in system settings, select the passkey you want to share and tap the Share icon to initiate an AirDrop transfer. Both you and the recipient must be in each other's contact lists using the email address associated with iCloud, and iCloud Keychain must be set up on your device.

What device requirements must someone meet before I can add them to a passkey shared group?#

The person must be saved in your contacts with passkey sharing enabled and must be using a device running iOS 17, iPadOS 17 or macOS Sonoma or newer. If their device does not meet these requirements, the invite option will be unavailable.

How does sharing passkeys with family differ from creating a regular shared group on Apple?#

Sharing passkeys with family works identically to a standard shared group, except that family members are added to the group automatically rather than requiring manual invitations. Both methods store shared passkeys in iCloud Keychain and support the same add and remove management options for the group creator.

Can every member of a passkey shared group remove other people or delete the group?#

Only the person who created the shared group has permission to add or remove other members and delete the group. Other members can add passkeys to the group and leave at any time, but cannot manage membership or dissolve the group.