Meta Adds Passkey Support on Facebook and Messenger for Safer Logins

Meta has begun rolling out passkey support for Facebook on iOS and Android mobile devices, offering a passwordless login experience based on biometric authentication.

The feature, available now on mobile and coming soon to Messenger, aims to strengthen account security while simplifying user access.

Passkeys are cryptographic credentials that authenticate users via device-native methods such as fingerprint scans, facial recognition, or PIN codes. Unlike passwords, which can be guessed or phished, passkeys are tied to the physical device and never leave it, making them highly resistant to common attack vectors like phishing, credential stuffing, and brute-force attacks.

Meta announced the initiative as part of its broader shift toward passwordless authentication standards developed by the FIDO Alliance, of which Meta is a core member. The FIDO Alliance, comprised of industry leaders including Apple, Google, and Microsoft, has been working to eliminate passwords by promoting public-key cryptography and secure device-based authentication.

Meta’s passkey implementation is integrated into Facebook’s Accounts Center, a centralized dashboard that allows users to manage identity, security, and privacy settings across Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram. Users can set up their passkeys through the Settings menu or during login prompts and continue to use traditional passwords as a fallback option on unsupported devices.

With over 3 billion monthly active users on Facebook, Meta’s adoption of passkeys marks a significant push toward normalizing biometric and cryptographic login methods. In addition to simplifying the sign-in process, passkeys also support Meta’s in-house payment system, Meta Pay, and will eventually secure access to encrypted Messenger backups.

By storing authentication data locally on devices and not transmitting or syncing biometric information to Meta’s servers, the company asserts that passkeys not only enhance convenience but also reduce centralized risks.

To use passkeys on Facebook:

1. Make sure your mobile device supports biometric authentication or PIN unlocking.
2. Open Facebook, go to Settings > Accounts Center, and follow the steps to create a passkey.
3. Once set up, your device becomes your login credential (no password entry required).

Generated passkeys can also be used to auto-fill payment credentials through Meta Pay.

Meta has promised that Messenger support will land in the coming months, and it will use the same keys users created for Facebook.