Android phone
Passkeys on Android
There are two ways to keep a passkey on an Android phone. Your organisation will tell you which one to use. Both need Android 14 or later (Android 15 is recommended) and a screen lock.
Menus vary between phone makers
Samsung, Google Pixel and other manufacturers name their settings slightly differently. If you can't find a
setting below, open Settings and search for Passkey.
Option 1: Passkey in Microsoft Authenticator
The passkey stays on this phone only. It's the usual choice for work accounts and for anyone who administers systems.
- Add your account in Authenticator Install Microsoft Authenticator from Google Play. On first run, tap Add work or school account. If your account is already there, tap it and choose Create a passkey.
- Verify it's you Sign in and complete multi-factor authentication. If you were given a Temporary Access Pass, use it here.
- Turn on Authenticator as a passkey provider When Authenticator asks, tap Settings, open Passwords & accounts, and in Additional providers make sure Authenticator is selected.
- Finish in Authenticator Go back to Authenticator and tap Done. You'll see Passkey listed as a sign-in method. Tap Done again.
On Android 14 and can't select Authenticator?
Some Android 14 phones don't let you choose Authenticator as a passkey provider. Updating to Android 15 usually
fixes this.
Option 2: Synced passkey in your password manager
The passkey is saved in a password manager such as Google Password Manager and syncs across your devices, so it survives a new phone. First choose where it's saved:
Settings › Security and privacy › More security settings › Passwords, passkeys and autofill — then select your provider.
If something goes wrong
- "A passkey already exists" — the passkey was saved but registration didn't finish. In Authenticator, tap your account, then Settings › Delete passkey, and try again.
- Signing in on a laptop with your phone — turn on Bluetooth and the internet on both devices.
- Still stuck? Contact your IT support team.