Meta Rolls Out Passkey Support for Facebook and Messenger

Meta is finally introducing passkey support for Facebook and Messenger on mobile devices. This enhancement aims to facilitate smoother logins, as a passkey enables users to sign in using the same information they already utilize to confirm their identities on a smartphone. This encompasses elements like a PIN code, a fingerprint, or a quick facial scan.

Not only is this approach more convenient, but it also offers greater security compared to traditional passwords. Passkeys are designed to withstand various types of malicious attacks, as they cannot be easily guessed or stolen. The level of security will depend on the specific type of passkey employed, with a four-digit PIN being more susceptible to imitation than a comprehensive facial scan or fingerprint.

Meta has announced that this feature will soon be available for Facebook on both iOS and Android devices, although Messenger users will need to wait a little longer. The company has indicated that this will be available “in the coming months.” Nevertheless, the same passkey will be applicable for both Facebook and Messenger.

Facebook has been relatively slow in adopting this login method. Google has provided this feature for several years, and X embraced it last year. Microsoft, along with Amazon, eBay, PayPal, and many others, also utilizes passkeys. Even Meta’s other messaging platform, WhatsApp, has begun to support passkey logins, while Instagram remains a holdout.