Google has announced support for passwords on Android and Chrome. The goal is to give users and developers quick access to this new security tool. In this tutorial, kwgeek shows you how to set up and use a password to log in to a website or application on your smartphone or computer.
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Announced on the Google Developers Blog, passwords are now enabled by default on Android and Chrome for users and developers. Passwords are replaced by passwords when logging into websites and applications. However, compatibility with the latter should come via the native API later this year. Meanwhile, developers can now start integrating keys into their websites.
How do passwords work and why are they better than passwords?
Passkey has a familiar interface for manually (or autofilling) your passwords to log into apps and websites on your smartphone or laptop. It’s safer and faster to use than traditional passwords that you have to type and remember.
The device will handle it instead of generating the password from a combination of letters, numbers and characters. These generated passwords are then stored locally on the device. Depending on the manufacturer, they will be able to sync these keys to their own cloud or system for backup in case you lose access to the device.
Compatibility of keys with different operating systems and browsers
Since the keys are built on the same standard, compatibility between different platforms is possible. Therefore, an Android device can be used to connect to a website on another browser running macOS or Windows. Likewise, pages on Chrome can be accessed using an iPhone.
Apple began implementing its own passcode system on its iPhones and Macs last year. They use iCloud Keychain to sync keys. Likewise, Google claims that all passwords created on Android devices and computers are securely synced through Google Password Manager to avoid locking out your smartphone if you lose it.
How to create and use passwords on your Android smartphone?
Creating a password is much easier than choosing your own and remembering it for later use on another device. For Android and Apple devices, creating a password takes just a few steps.
Steps to create keys for all enabled websites and applications or services:
- Create a key with a Google account
- Confirm with screen lock, fingerprint or face recognition
How to log in to a service, page or application with a password:
- Select key account
- Sign in using screen lock, fingerprint or facial recognition (smartphone)
How to create and log in with a password on a page or app / © Google / Screenshot: kwgeek
On the other hand, using the key on a computer or different browser is done by scanning the QR code provided by the page or application. But we do not rule out that this method can be improved in the future. Confirm the prompt on the device with biometric authentication such as facial recognition or fingerprint.
Use a password on Chrome or other browsers when logging in with an Android smartphone or iPhone / © Google / Screenshot: kwgeek
What do you think about replacing passwords with passwords? Do you think there are still significant security holes?