If we’re being honest, passwords have always been a terrible way to secure anything. They are the digital equivalent of hiding a spare key under the doormat and hoping nobody looks there. We rely on them because we have had to, not because they are actually good at their job.

Fortunately, the industry is finally waking up to this reality. Tech giants like Apple, Google, and Microsoft are backing passkeys as the preferred alternative, and we can see exactly why. They are finally acknowledging that the current way we access our digital lives is broken and needs a practical fix.

What actually is a passkey?

In simple terms, a passkey is a digital credential that replaces the need to type out a string of characters every time you want to log in.

Technically speaking, they rely on cryptographic key pairs. One part of the key (the public one) sits on the server of the website you are visiting. The other part (the private key) stays strictly on your device. Unlike a password, which can be guessed, stolen, or intercepted, your private key never leaves your phone or computer.

Think of it less like a secret code you have to remember, and more like a physical key that lives in your pocket. You don't tell the door your key, you just present it, and the door opens.

Why we prefer them over passwords

1. Security that actually works

We all know that "123456" and "Password123" are still frighteningly common. Even complex passwords are vulnerable if a server gets breached. Passkeys remove that risk entirely because there is nothing for a hacker to steal from a database that would grant them access to your account. Without your physical device, the public key on the server is useless.

2. Ending the memory game

The average person is trying to juggle dozens, if not hundreds, of logins. That kind of mental clutter inevitably leads to bad habits, like using the same password for banking as you do for a takeaway app. Passkeys strip away that friction. You authenticate using the security already built into your device, like a fingerprint or facial scan. It lowers the cognitive load and lets you get on with what you were trying to do.

3. It works where you are

One of the biggest hurdles with new tech is often compatibility, but passkeys are being built to work across the devices you already own. If you create a passkey on your phone, it syncs securely through your cloud provider, meaning your laptop and tablet are ready to go too.

4. You can't fish for a key you don't have

Phishing attacks rely on tricking you into typing your password into a fake website. Passkeys stop this dead in its tracks. Your device knows exactly which website a passkey belongs to, so it simply won't offer to authenticate if you are on a fraudulent site. It removes the human error element almost entirely.

5. It feels human

At Doorflow, we believe that the best interface is often no interface at all. Passkeys remove the act of typing, checking, and resetting credentials. Logging in becomes a simple verification of who you are, rather than a test of what you remember.

What's driving the shift?

This isn't just a niche idea anymore. The FIDO Alliance is pushing for standardisation across the board, ensuring that this technology works reliably regardless of what phone is in your pocket. Businesses are getting on board too, largely because the cost of IT support for password resets is astronomically high.

The reality check

Is it perfect? Not yet. No technology is without its teething problems. Moving away from a system we have used for decades takes time, and there will be moments where integration feels a bit clunky as websites catch up.

However, the direction of travel is clear. Passkeys represent a move towards a digital environment that respects your time and your security. We are looking at a future where the frustration of a forgotten password is a thing of the past, and that is a future we are very happy to support.

Whether you are managing a building or just trying to check your email, you deserve a system that recognises you instantly and lets you in without the hassle. The technology is finally catching up to that expectation.

How to get started

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For more information please see our website at doorflow.com

Contact us by email at hello@doorflow.com