Passkey Authentication
Enable passwordless login with Face ID, Touch ID, Windows Hello, or security keys.
Last updated Feb 4, 2026
What Are Passkeys?
Passkeys are a modern, passwordless authentication method that replaces traditional passwords with cryptographic credentials stored on your device. They use the WebAuthn/FIDO2 standard, which is supported by all major browsers and operating systems.
Instead of typing a password, users authenticate with:
- Face ID on iPhone and Mac
- Touch ID on Mac and iPhone
- Windows Hello on Windows devices
- Fingerprint or face unlock on Android
- Hardware security keys like YubiKey
Why Use Passkeys?
Passkeys offer several advantages over traditional passwords:
- Phishing-resistant: Passkeys are bound to your specific website and cannot be used on fake sites
- No passwords to remember: Users authenticate with biometrics or a PIN they already use
- No passwords to steal: There's no password that can be leaked in a data breach
- Fast and convenient: Sign in with a quick tap or glance
- Works alongside 2FA: Can be used independently or with TOTP for additional security
Enabling Passkey Authentication
To enable passkey authentication for your WordPress site:
- Go to ArmorPro → Settings
- Find the Passkey Authentication section
- Toggle Enable Passkey Auth to on
- Select which user roles can use passkeys
- Optionally adjust the max passkeys per user (default: 10)
Tip
Start by enabling passkeys for administrators only, then expand to other roles once you've verified it works with your site.
User Verification Settings
The User Verification setting controls whether users must verify their identity (with biometrics or PIN) when using a passkey:
- Required: Always require biometric or PIN verification
- Preferred (Recommended): Request verification when available, but allow passkeys that don't support it
- Discouraged: Skip verification when possible (less secure)
Setting Up Your Passkey
Once passkeys are enabled, users can register their passkeys from their WordPress profile:
- Go to Users → Profile
- Scroll to the Passkey Authentication section
- Click Add Passkey
- Give your passkey a friendly name (e.g., "MacBook Pro" or "iPhone")
- Follow the browser prompts to create the passkey
Name Your Passkeys
Use descriptive names like "Work Laptop" or "Personal iPhone" so you can easily identify and manage your passkeys later.
Signing In with a Passkey
When passkeys are enabled, users see a "Sign in with Passkey" button on the WordPress login page. Clicking this button:
- Triggers the browser's passkey selection
- Prompts for biometric verification (Face ID, Touch ID, etc.)
- Signs the user in immediately upon success
No username or password is needed. The passkey identifies the user automatically.
Managing Passkeys
Users can manage their registered passkeys from their profile page:
- View passkeys: See all registered passkeys with their names and last-used dates
- Rename: Click the edit icon to rename a passkey
- Delete: Remove passkeys you no longer use or have lost access to
Important
If you delete all your passkeys and don't have another login method (like TOTP or password), make sure you can still sign in with your password before deleting.
Passkeys vs. Two-Factor Authentication
Passkeys and TOTP-based 2FA serve different purposes and can be used together:
| Feature | Passkeys | TOTP 2FA |
|---|---|---|
| Authentication type | Passwordless (replaces password) | Second factor (after password) |
| What you need | Device with biometrics or security key | Authenticator app |
| Phishing protection | Strong (bound to domain) | Moderate (codes can be phished in real-time) |
| Ease of use | Very easy (one tap) | Easy (enter 6-digit code) |
Browser Support
Passkeys are supported in all modern browsers:
- Chrome: Version 67 and later
- Safari: Version 14 and later
- Firefox: Version 60 and later
- Edge: Version 79 and later
If a user's browser doesn't support WebAuthn, the passkey login button simply won't appear. They can still sign in with their password.
Troubleshooting
Passkey button doesn't appear
- Make sure passkeys are enabled in ArmorPro settings
- Verify your browser supports WebAuthn (see browser support above)
- Try a different browser to isolate the issue
Can't create a passkey
- Ensure you're on HTTPS (passkeys require a secure connection)
- Check that your device supports the authentication method (biometrics, security key)
- Try restarting your browser
Passkey authentication fails
- The passkey may have been created on a different device
- Your device's biometric data may have changed (re-register the passkey)
- The passkey may have been deleted from your device's password manager
"Possible cloned authenticator" error
This security message appears if the passkey's signature counter is lower than expected, which could indicate the passkey was copied. Delete and re-register the passkey if you see this error.