ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (WHAT THE TECH?) — We told you about companies turning toward passkeys, instead of usernames and passwords, so here is how they work and how to set them up.

Passkeys are easy to use on smartphones. You’ve probably seen these pop-up prompts already, leading you to save passkeys.

When you go to log into an account, you’ll just scan your face or use the fingerprint scanner instead of a password.

You will need to log into the account. You’ll also need to opt in for 2-factor authentication which requires a password, and a second confirmation.

You will need a passkey app like Google Authenticator.

Adding a passkey on an Apple device is easy if you do it when prompted. If you’re logged into Google on an iPhone, log out and then log back in using your password. Apple will prompt you to set up a passkey.

If you’re logging in on a Macbook, you’ll be able to log in by touching the fingerprint scanner. On a Windows PC, when you sign into an account you’ll be prompted to use your smartphone to scan a QR code on the computer screen. The phone will scan your face which will log you into the account.

Android phones will use the Google Authenticator app. You won’t need your username or password, just tap the fingerprint scanner on the back of the phone.

Passkeys are often easier to use and they eliminate the text messages where you get the secret codes that you have to enter to log into an account.

Always set up passkeys when prompted, however. It’s more difficult to do on your own.

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