Do Passkeys Require Biometrics?

Do Passkeys Require Biometrics?#

No, passkeys do not inherently require biometrics. Passkeys are a form of passwordless authentication that can utilize various forms of security, including biometrics, PINs, or hardware security keys. Biometrics are often used for convenience, but they are not a requirement for passkeys.

Passkeys do not inherently require biometrics.
Passkeys can be authenticated using PINs, patterns or biometrics.
Biometrics are often used for ease of access but are optional.
The user and the user's device decide what form of authentication (like biometrics) is used.

Understanding Passkeys and Their Relation to Biometrics#

Passkeys are a modern, secure way to authenticate users without requiring passwords. Instead of relying on a memorized string of characters, passkeys leverage asymmetric cryptography to ensure that only the intended user can access a system. Here’s how it works:

Passkeys vs. Passwords: Unlike passwords, passkeys are not stored on servers in plaintext or hashed form. They consist of a key pair: a public key stored on the server and a private key that remains on the user's device.
Authentication Methods: While biometrics (like fingerprints or facial recognition) are often associated with passkeys, they are not the only method of user verification. Passkeys can also be authenticated using:
- PINs: A user may set a device-specific PIN to authenticate their passkey.
- Patterns Some devices (e.g. on Android) allow to use patterns to authenticate.
The Role of Biometrics: Biometrics are popular for passkey authentication because they are convenient and quick and can be used to access the private key which is stored inside the user's device.

About Corbado

Corbado is the Passkey Intelligence Platform for CIAM teams running consumer authentication at scale. We help you see what IDP logs and generic analytics tools can't: which devices, OS versions, browsers and credential managers support passkeys, why enrollments don't turn into logins, where the WebAuthn flow fails and when an OS / browser update silently breaks login, all without replacing Okta, Auth0, Ping, Cognito or your in-house IDP. Two products: Corbado Observe layers observability for passkeys and any other login method. 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 →