---
url: 'https://www.corbado.com/faq/hardware-limitations-passkey-support'
title: 'What are the hardware limitations for passkey support?'
description: 'Learn about the hardware limitations that affect passkey support, including outdated devices and biometric authentication.'
lang: 'en'
keywords: 'passkey hardware limitations, WebAuthn hardware requirements, hardware constraints for passkeys'
---

# What are the hardware limitations for passkey support?

## What are the hardware limitations for passkey support?

Passkeys rely on specific hardware capabilities to ensure secure and seamless
authentication. While most modern devices support passkeys, certain hardware limitations
can affect compatibility.

### Key Hardware Limitations

#### 1. Outdated Devices

- Older devices may lack the hardware required for passkeys, such as biometric sensors or
  secure storage modules.
- For example, some desktop computers or laptops may not have fingerprint readers or
  facial recognition cameras.

#### 2. Biometric Authentication

- Passkeys often depend on platform [authenticators](https://www.corbado.com/glossary/authenticator) like Touch
  ID, [Face ID](https://www.corbado.com/faq/is-face-id-passkey), or fingerprint scanners for enhanced security.
- Devices without biometric sensors may require alternative methods, such as PINs,
  reducing the user experience benefits of passkeys.

#### 3. Hardware Security Modules (HSMs)

- Certain devices lack the necessary hardware security modules (HSMs) or Trusted Platform
  Modules (TPMs) to securely store cryptographic keys.
- This limitation is more common in older desktop PCs and budget devices.

#### 4. Limited Support in Shared or Public Devices

Public or shared devices (e.g., kiosks, public computers) may not support the creation or
use of passkeys due to security restrictions or lack of platform
[authenticators](https://www.corbado.com/glossary/authenticator).

#### 5. Inconsistent Implementation

- Even among compatible devices, inconsistencies in hardware implementations can lead to
  varying levels of passkey functionality.
- For example, some [Android](https://www.corbado.com/blog/how-to-enable-passkeys-android) devices may have
  biometric sensors but lack the necessary software integration to fully support passkeys.

### Strategies to Address Hardware Limitations

- **Analyze Your User Base:** Use tools like the
  [State of Passkeys](https://state-of-passkeys.io) to determine the percentage of users
  with compatible devices.
- **Educate Users:** Encourage updates to newer devices or operating systems where
  possible.
- **Provide Fallbacks:** Ensure that alternative authentication methods, like PINs or
  passwords, are available for users with incompatible hardware.
- **Leverage Biometrics Where Available:** Optimize your implementation to use biometric
  [authenticators](https://www.corbado.com/glossary/authenticator) on devices that support them.

### Conclusion

Hardware limitations for passkeys primarily affect older and budget devices without
biometric sensors or secure storage. By understanding these constraints and providing
appropriate fallbacks, you can ensure a smooth
[passkey adoption](https://www.corbado.com/blog/passkey-adoption-business-case) process across a diverse user
base.

## Read the full article