Meta is finally adding passkey support for Facebook and Messenger on mobile devices. This should make for more seamless logins, as a passkey lets people sign in by using the same data they already use to verify their identities on a smartphone. This includes stuff like a PIN code, a fingerprint or a quick face scan.
This is not only convenient, but more secure than traditional passwords. Passkeys are resistant to many types of malicious attacks, as they can’t be easily guessed or stolen. This will vary depending on the type of passkey you use, as a four-digit PIN is easier to fake than a full face scan or a fingerprint.
Meta says this feature will be rolling out soon for Facebook on iOS and Android devices, but Messenger users will have to wait a bit longer. The company says that’s headed our way “in the coming months.” However, the same passkey will work with both Facebook and Messenger.
Facebook has been slow to adopt this login method. Google has offered this feature for years, and X jumped on board last year. Microsoft uses passkeys, as does Amazon, eBay, PayPal and many others. Even Meta’s other chat platform Whatsapp has started allowing passkey logins. Instagram is still a holdout.
