How should passkey registration & authentication be tested?

How Should Passkey Registration and Authentication Be Tested?#

Testing passkey registration and authentication is crucial to ensure these processes are secure, user-friendly, and compatible across platforms. Here’s how to approach testing:

1. Test Passkey Registration#

• Device Coverage: Verify that users can register passkeys on all supported devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets, desktops).
• Cross-Browser Functionality: Ensure registration works seamlessly across major browsers like Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge.
• Error Scenarios: Simulate common errors, such as canceled registration processes, and verify that users receive appropriate feedback.

2. Test Passkey Authentication#

• Successful Logins: Confirm users can authenticate using their registered passkeys across devices and platforms without issues.
• Deleted Passkeys: Attempt logins with deleted passkeys to ensure the system properly denies access.
• Edge Cases: Test scenarios where network interruptions occur during authentication and verify fallback mechanisms.

3. Validate Cross-Device Compatibility#

• Cross-Device Usage: Test that passkeys created on one device (e.g., mobile) can be used on another (e.g., desktop) seamlessly.
• Fallback Options: Verify that users can fall back to alternative methods (e.g., OTP, passwords) when passkeys are unavailable.

4. Usability Testing#

• Guidance and Feedback: Check if users receive clear instructions during registration and authentication workflows.
• Accessibility Compliance: Ensure the workflows adhere to accessibility standards, supporting all user groups.

5. Error Handling and Security#

• Invalid Inputs: Simulate incorrect biometric inputs or failed authentications and verify error messages are helpful and secure.
• Tampering Resistance: Test scenarios where credentials or device settings are tampered with and ensure secure responses.

By thoroughly testing these aspects, you can guarantee a robust and secure passkey system that enhances the user experience.

Read the full article#

About Corbado

Corbado is the Authentication Intelligence Platform for CIAM teams running consumer authentication at scale. We help you see what IDP logs and generic analytics tools can't: where passkeys, passwords, OTP, social login and fallback journeys succeed, stall or fail, which devices and browsers create friction, and when an OS update silently breaks login. Two products: Corbado Observe layers process mining and observability across authentication journeys. Corbado Connect adds managed passkeys with analytics built in alongside your IDP. VicRoads runs passkeys for 5M+ users with Corbado (+80% passkey activation). Talk to a Passkey Expert →