Meta Introduces Passkey Authentication for Facebook on Android and iOS Platforms

Meta Platforms has announced the integration of passkeys, a next-generation password standard, into its Facebook platform. This innovation aims to enhance user identity verification and account login, providing a more secure and user-friendly alternative to traditional passwords.

The company’s support for passkeys is anticipated to be deployed shortly on mobile devices running Android and iOS, with plans for integration into its Messenger platform in the upcoming months. Additionally, passkeys will facilitate the auto-filling of payment details for transactions made via Meta Pay.

Earlier in October 2023, Meta first introduced passkeys support for WhatsApp on Android, followed by an iOS rollout in April 2024. There has been no announcement regarding a timeline for passkey implementation on Instagram.

Passkeys are endorsed by the FIDO Alliance as a passwordless authentication solution, allowing users to securely access online services using biometric data or a device lock PIN code.

Meta has described passkeys as a significant enhancement over traditional passwords and one-time SMS codes, citing their resistance to guessing and theft by malicious websites or phishing attempts. This positions passkeys as an effective safeguard against prevalent threats such as phishing and password spraying attacks.

In parallel with Meta’s move, Microsoft recently adopted passkeys as the default sign-in method for new consumer accounts, while Apple has previewed forthcoming enhancements to its Passwords app, facilitating the import and export of passkeys across supported credential management applications on various Apple platforms.