Big update for Android users! Now share Passkeys in just a few steps

Android users can now share Passkeys in a few simple steps. Find out how this new feature works and how to securely transfer Passkeys to another device.

Passkeys are rapidly gaining popularity over traditional passwords for securing online accounts. The biggest advantage of a Passkey is that users do not need to remember separate passwords, PINs, or codes for every account. Additionally, they are considered more secure than standard passwords. However, until now, moving Passkeys from one device or password manager to another was not easy. Google has largely resolved this issue for Android users.

Now, Passkeys can also be transferred

Google has introduced a system on Android that allows users to transfer both passwords and Passkeys from one password manager to another. This means that if someone wants to switch from Google Password Manager to another manager like Bitwarden or 1Password, they won't need to recreate Passkeys for all their accounts. This feature is particularly useful for those who use the same account across different smartphones, computers, or platforms.

Why was transferring Passkeys difficult before?

Previously, switching password managers was not an easy task. While users could export their passwords when moving to a different manager, there was no option to transfer Passkeys from one service to another. In many cases, passwords had to be exported as plain text files, which posed a security risk.

The situation was even more complicated with Passkeys. If a Passkey existed in an old manager or device and needed to be used in a new manager, users often had to visit individual websites and apps to create new Passkeys.

How can Passkeys be transferred?

The process of transferring Passkeys and passwords on Android has been significantly simplified. Users simply need to access the password manager they wish to transfer data from and use options like "Import" or "Copy Passwords." After this, Android handles the process itself.

The system can identify password managers and other related providers installed on your device. It then displays the available options for securely transferring the data.

The user selects their preferred option and follows the on-screen instructions. According to Google, this process works with popular tools such as 1Password, Bitwarden, Google Password Manager, and Dashlane.

A major benefit for those switching password managers

This feature will be particularly beneficial for users who want to use the same passkey across all their devices. For instance, if your passkey is saved in Google Password Manager and you wish to switch to Bitwarden, the need to set them up again individually is significantly reduced.

By default, Google Password Manager handles passkeys in Chrome; however, users can opt for a different password manager if they prefer. Similarly, some users rely on other managers to sync passkeys across multiple devices.

Why is the use of passkeys growing?

Passkeys are considered a more secure alternative to traditional passwords. They eliminate the need for users to memorize passwords or repeatedly enter OTPs and PINs. This is why a large number of users are gradually shifting from passwords to passkeys.

However, the true advantage of passkeys is realized only when they can be securely used across various devices and services. Android's new transfer system is a crucial step toward simplifying this process, making it much easier than before to switch password managers.