Google has officially announced the default implementation of access key authentication to connect to its services. Here is how to log in to your Google account without a password using passwords.
You will soon (almost) be required to use a passkey to log in to your Google account. In fact, a few days ago, the Mountain View firm announced its intention to use authentication using a passkey. The goal ? Abandon, or at least put away, the traditional password. This more secure authentication protocol also simplifies connection to your account. It thus allows you to free yourself from passwords, but also from double authentication, in particular by SMS.
To do this, the system generates two authentication keys: a private one, stored locally on your device, and a public one, transmitted to the online service to which you wish to connect. When you sign in using a passkey, you must validate the passkey using the authentication mode built into the device you are using. This could be a fingerprint reader, facial recognition or even the device unlock code. An authentication request is then sent to the website which is responsible for verifying the signature with the public key in its possession. The authentication key is stored in the password manager you use (Apple Keychain on macOS, Google if you use Chrome, etc.), so logging in using an access key should hardly change your habits.
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Regardless, while Google has indicated that it wants to use this authentication protocol by default, the company will still allow you to use other authentication methods. This will particularly be the case if you use a device that does not support this system. Furthermore, although the Mountain View firm has indicated that it will send invitations encouraging its users to activate the connection using an access key, this will be done gradually. However, if you don’t want to wait, you can strengthen the security of your account yourself without further delay by activating it manually. The procedure to follow is trivial and should hardly take you more than five minutes.
1. Go to your Google account
Start by opening your favorite web browser, and going to your Google My Account page. If you haven’t already done so, log in as you normally do using your credentials.
2. Change security settings
In the left column, select the menu Security. On the page that appears, under the heading How to sign in to Google, the different authentication methods that you are currently using on your Google account are listed. Click on the menu Access keys For Start using access keys.
Google should then ask you to authenticate, for example by entering your password, to verify that you are the originator of the request.
3. Set up an access key
If you are using an Android device, in principle, it is already able to automatically create access keys to allow you to log in to your account. This is why you should see a box Access keys created automatically in which the different devices with an access key are listed.
To be able to connect from another device, however, such as a computer or an iPhone, you will need to create an access key yourself. To do this, click on the button Use access keys.
Then click on the button Continuethen authenticate using the authentication method you use by default on your computer: fingerprint reader, facial recognition, etc.
That is just about everything. The process is now complete, your access key has been created and is now saved in the password manager you use by default.
Now, whenever you want to connect to your Google account from a compatible device, you will only have to authenticate to validate the connection, without having to manually enter your password.
Don’t worry though, this doesn’t mean your password disappears. You will be asked for this if you attempt to log in from any other device that does not support this authentication method.