---
url: 'https://www.corbado.com/faq/are-passkeys-two-factor-authentication'
title: 'Are passkeys considered a form of two-factor authentication?'
description: 'Passkeys offer strong authentication but differ from traditional two-factor authentication (2FA). They are phishing-resistant and PSD2 compliant.'
lang: 'en'
keywords: 'passkeys 2FA, passkeys MFA,'
---

# Are passkeys considered a form of two-factor authentication?

## Are passkeys considered a form of Two-Factor Authentication?

Passkeys provide **strong authentication** but do not fit the traditional definition of
**two-factor authentication (2FA)**. Instead, they belong to a more **advanced category of
authentication** that eliminates the weaknesses of traditional **password-based 2FA**.
This guide explains the differences between passkeys and
[2FA](https://www.corbado.com/blog/passkeys-vs-2fa-security), why passkeys are more secure and when you might
still need traditional MFA.

## 1. What is MFA/2FA?

When you sign in to an online account, you prove to the service that you are who you claim
to be - this process is called **authentication**. Traditionally, this has been done with
a username and password. As we know today, that's not a secure approach: even complex
passwords can be cracked within seconds and more than 50% of users reuse their passwords.

That's why many online services have added an additional layer called **two-factor
authentication (2FA)** or **multi-factor authentication (MFA)**. With
[2FA](https://www.corbado.com/blog/passkeys-vs-2fa-security) enabled, you need more than just a username and
password - you need a second factor to prove your identity.

> _2FA is a subset of MFA, which is an umbrella term for any authentication that uses more
> than one factor to verify a user's identity._

### 1.1 Types of Authentication Factors

A factor in authentication is a way of confirming legitimate access. The three most common
kinds are:

- **Knowledge-based** (something you know): a password, PIN or answers to security
  questions.
- **Possession-based** (something you have): a hardware token, smartphone or
  [security key](https://www.corbado.com/glossary/security-key). This includes email magic links, SMS OTPs,
  time-based one-time passcodes (TOTPs) and push notifications.
- **Inherence-based** (something you are) -
  [biometric authentication](https://www.corbado.com/blog/passkeys-biometric-authentication) methods like
  fingerprints, iris scans or [Face ID](https://www.corbado.com/faq/is-face-id-passkey).

**Passkeys** combine two of these factors: a passkey is tied to a unique device
(possession) and requires biometric verification (inherence) making them inherently
multi-factor.

## 2. How traditional 2FA works (and why it's not optimal)

Traditional [2FA](https://www.corbado.com/blog/passkeys-vs-2fa-security) requires authentication from two
distinct categories. For example, logging into a bank account with **a password
(knowledge)** and confirming via **an SMS OTP (possession)** qualifies as 2FA.

However, traditional 2FA has significant drawbacks:

1. **Additional friction**: the user must leave the app and open another application to
   confirm their identity (e.g. check SMS, open [authenticator](https://www.corbado.com/glossary/authenticator)
   app).
2. **Passwords remain a weak link**: most 2FA flows still rely on a password as the first
   factor, which can be phished or stolen.
3. **Possession factors can be compromised**: SMS OTPs are vulnerable to
   [SIM swapping](https://www.corbado.com/faq/sim-swapping-sms-authentication-risk),
   [authenticator](https://www.corbado.com/glossary/authenticator) apps can be lost with device changes and
   recovery is burdensome. As a consequence, the activation rate of MFA among users is
   only 28%.

## 3. How Passkeys differ from Traditional 2FA

Passkeys **do not rely on passwords** and use **public-key cryptography**. Here's a direct
comparison:

| Feature                   | Traditional 2FA                           | Passkeys                         |
| ------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| **Phishing-resistant?**   | ❌ No (passwords, SMS OTPs can be stolen) | ✅ Yes (origin-bound)            |
| **User experience**       | Cumbersome, requires multiple steps       | Seamless, one-tap authentication |
| **Reliance on passwords** | ✅ Yes (as first factor)                  | ❌ No                            |
| **Recovery complexity**   | High (reset tokens, call hotlines)        | Low (synced via iCloud, Google)  |
| **Meets PSD2 SCA?**       | ✅ Yes, but prone to attacks              | ✅ Yes, with better security     |
| **Activation rate**       | \~28% opt-in                              | Higher (familiar biometrics)     |

### 3.1 Are Passkeys 2FA or MFA?

**Passkeys fulfill the security goals of 2FA without requiring two separate steps.**
Instead of requiring a password + OTP, they **bind authentication to the user's device and
biometrics** such as fingerprint or [Face ID](https://www.corbado.com/faq/is-face-id-passkey).

Since passkeys rely on **device possession (hardware-bound keys) and biometrics
(inherence), they satisfy multi-factor authentication requirements within a single
interaction**.

### 3.2 Why Passkeys are more secure than regular 2FA

Passkeys solve the core problems of traditional 2FA:

- **No shared secrets**: public-key cryptography means there is nothing to intercept.
- **No extra friction**: users don't need to open a separate app or type a code. Most
  users are already familiar with [Face ID](https://www.corbado.com/faq/is-face-id-passkey), Touch ID or
  [Windows Hello](https://www.corbado.com/glossary/windows-hello).
- **Synced across devices**: passkeys sync within ecosystems like
  [iCloud Keychain](https://www.corbado.com/glossary/icloud-keychain) or
  [Google Password Manager](https://www.corbado.com/blog/how-to-use-google-password-manager), eliminating the
  painful 2FA recovery process.

![passkeys more secure than 2fa](https://s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/corbado-cloud-staging-website-assets/passkeys_more_secure_than_2fa_38197fb351.png)

## 4. Can Passkeys be used together with other Authentication Factors?

Yes, **passkeys can be used alongside other authentication factors** to provide layered
security. Depending on security requirements, organizations can implement passkeys as a
standalone method or as part of a more complex multi-factor flow.

### 4.1 Passkeys as Part of an MFA Flow

While passkeys alone provide **strong phishing-resistant authentication**, they can be
combined with other factors for added security in **high-risk environments**:

- **Passkeys + Hardware Security Keys**: users authenticate with passkeys but may need a
  physical [security key](https://www.corbado.com/glossary/security-key) (e.g. [YubiKey](https://www.corbado.com/glossary/yubikey)) for
  sensitive actions.
- **Passkeys + Context-Based Authentication**: organizations can introduce risk-based
  authentication where passkeys alone suffice under normal conditions, but additional
  verification is required for unusual login attempts.

### 4.2 When are additional Factors recommended?

- **Regulatory compliance**: industries like [finance in Europe](https://www.corbado.com/passkeys-for-banking)
  [mandate MFA](https://www.corbado.com/blog/mandating-mfa) that fulfils additional criteria for compliance with
  [PSD2](https://www.corbado.com/blog/psd2-passkeys) and SCA.
- **High-security use cases**: admin accounts, financial transactions and enterprise
  logins may benefit from passkeys + a second factor.
- **User risk profiling**: systems can assess risk levels and dynamically require
  additional authentication when necessary.

## 5. When to use Passkeys as a Second Factor (vs. going fully Passwordless)

While passkeys enable fully
[passwordless authentication](https://www.corbado.com/glossary/passwordless-authentication), there are scenarios
where **using passkeys as a second factor** provides strategic advantages over immediately
going fully passwordless:

- **Conservative organizations**: enterprises in highly regulated sectors
  ([banking](https://www.corbado.com/passkeys-for-banking), [healthcare](https://www.corbado.com/passkeys-for-healthcare),
  [government](https://www.corbado.com/passkeys-for-public-sector)) can enhance security without dramatically
  altering existing workflows.
- **Gradual user adoption**: deploying passkeys as a second factor serves as a gentle
  introduction, allowing users to become familiar with the experience alongside their
  traditional login before transitioning to fully passwordless.
- **High-security contexts**: environments that demand exceptionally robust security can
  maintain multiple authentication layers, preventing dependency on a single method and
  reducing single-point-of-failure risks.
- **Infrastructure constraints**: organizations whose technical infrastructure doesn't
  fully support [passwordless authentication](https://www.corbado.com/glossary/passwordless-authentication) yet
  can deploy passkeys as a second factor while building broader compatibility.

## 6. Are Passkeys PSD2-Compliant?

Yes. Under **Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) in PSD2**, authentication must include:

- **Something the user has** (a registered device with a private key).
- **Something the user is** (biometric authentication).

Passkeys fulfill these requirements **in a seamless, phishing-resistant way**, making them
an **ideal alternative to traditional 2FA** for banks and fintech companies.

## 7. Conclusion: Passkeys are a more secure Alternative to 2FA

Passkeys go beyond **traditional two-factor authentication** by:

- Eliminating passwords and shared secrets.
- Providing **phishing-resistant** authentication via public-key cryptography.
- Meeting **PSD2 SCA** and other regulatory requirements in a more user-friendly way.
- Syncing across devices to remove the 2FA recovery burden.

While **passkeys are not 2FA in the traditional sense**, they achieve **the same (or
better) security benefits** in a way that is **more secure and more convenient**. For
organizations not yet ready to go fully passwordless, passkeys can also serve as a
powerful second factor during a transition period.

## Read the full article