# MFA Passkeys

## 1. What is a Passkey?

<p class="callout info">A passkey is a modern, phishing-resistant way to sign in without using a password!</p>

- Instead of something *<span style="text-decoration: underline;">you know</span>* (like a password), a **passkey** uses something <span style="text-decoration: underline;">*you have*</span> (your phone or device) and something <span style="text-decoration: underline;">*you are*</span> (Face ID, Fingerprint, or device PIN)
- The credential is stored securely on your device and is never shared with the website or service that you're signing into. Because of this, passkeys can't be reused, stolen by fake websites, or guessed.
- Passkeys are based on industry security standards (FIDO2). Your device proves to Microsoft that it's really you, without ever sending a password across the internet. 
    - If the site is not legitimate, the passkey simply won't work, and there's nothing for the attacker to steal.
- Your device becomes your key, and your identity stays locked inside it!

[![PasswordlessSecurity.png](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2026-02/scaled-1680-/Plyx3vVtrQtRQFmu-passwordlesssecurity.png)](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2026-02/Plyx3vVtrQtRQFmu-passwordlesssecurity.png)

- Did you know that passwords are the weakest link in modern security? They are often: 
    - Reused
    - Phished
    - Leaked in breaches
    - Guessed
- Microsoft's goal with passwordless sign-in is to: 
    - **Eliminate passwords as an attack target** - No passwords means nothing to phish, reuse, or brute-force.
    - **Reduce account takeovers and phishing** - Passkeys only work on the real Microsoft sign-in and approved services. Fake sites can't trick your device into handing over a credential.
    - **Make sign-ins faster and simpler** - Approving with Face ID, fingerprint, or a device PIN is quicker than typing passwords and codes.
    - **Improve both security and user experience** - Stronger security without extra steps, fewer account lockouts.

<p class="callout success">Passkeys are part of Microsoft's move to a passwordless future where accounts are protected by your device and biometrics instead of passwords that can be stolen, guessed, or phished</p>

---

## 2. Syncable Passkeys

<p class="callout info">A passkey lets you sign in without typing your password each time. It uses your device's built-in security, such as Face ID, fingerprint, screen lock, or device PIN. </p>

<p class="callout success">We recommend saving your passkey to:   
 - Apple Passwords (if you use iPhone)  
 - Google Password Manager (if you use Android)</p>

---

## 3. Before you Begin

<table id="bkmrk-make-sure-you-have%3A%C2%A0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 149px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 50%;"></col><col></col></colgroup><thead><tr style="height: 29.8px;"><td class="align-center" style="height: 29.8px;"><span style="color: rgb(45,194,107);">Make sure you have: </span></td><td class="align-center" style="height: 29.8px;"><span style="color: rgb(224,62,45);">Do **not** create a passkey on: </span></td></tr></thead><tbody><tr style="height: 29.8px;"><td class="align-left" style="height: 29.8px;"><span style="color: rgb(45,194,107);">Your Piedmont email address</span>

</td><td class="align-left" style="height: 29.8px;"><span style="color: rgb(224,62,45);">A public computer</span></td></tr><tr style="height: 29.8px;"><td class="align-left" style="height: 29.8px;"><span style="color: rgb(45,194,107);">Your current password</span>

</td><td class="align-left" style="height: 29.8px;"><span style="color: rgb(224,62,45);">A shared family computer</span>

</td></tr><tr style="height: 29.8px;"><td class="align-left" style="height: 29.8px;"><span style="color: rgb(45,194,107);">You current MFA method</span>

</td><td class="align-left" style="height: 29.8px;"><span style="color: rgb(224,62,45);">A classroom or lab computer</span></td></tr><tr style="height: 29.8px;"><td class="align-left" style="height: 29.8px;"><span style="color: rgb(45,194,107);">A personal phone or computer that **only you use**</span>

</td><td class="align-left" style="height: 29.8px;"><span style="color: rgb(224,62,45);">A friend's phone</span></td></tr></tbody></table>

---

## 4. Enable Passkey Syncing (iOS/MacOS)

1. Confirm your iCloud keychain is enabled 
    - Open **Settings**
    - Select your Name / Apple ID at the top
    - Tap **iCloud**
    - Tap **Passwords and Keychain**
    - Confirm that the setting **Sync this iPhone** or **Sync this iPad** is enabled
2. On Mac: 
    - Open **System Settings**
    - Click your Apple Account
    - Click **iCloud**
    - Ensure **Passwords** is set to **Sync**

---

## 5. Create a Passkey

1. Open a web browser and visit [https://myaccount.microsoft.com](https://myaccount.microsoft.com)
2. Expand **My Account**
3. Select **Security Info**
4. You will be prompted to login using MFA.
5. Once logged in, select **Add sign-in method**
6. Select **Passkey**
7. Select **Next** and follow through the on-screen prompts

---

## 6. Sign in with Passkey

1. When you login using your Piedmont credentials, you will receive a new popup window in place of Microsoft Authenticator   
    [![ChoosePasskey.png](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2026-02/scaled-1680-/qrtZRgRDHF2lJUUc-choosepasskey.png)](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2026-02/qrtZRgRDHF2lJUUc-choosepasskey.png)
2. Select **iPhone, iPad, or Android device.**
3. Use your mobile device to scan the QR Code on your computer, select **Sign in with Passkey**  
      
    [![PasskeyQRCode.png](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2026-02/scaled-1680-/eb9Y1zI9M21z71dK-passkeyqrcode.png)](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2026-02/eb9Y1zI9M21z71dK-passkeyqrcode.png)
4. On your mobile device, a message will appear "**Sign in to login.microsoft.com" on the other device with your passkey for "@piedmont.edu" saved in Passwords?**
    - Choose **Use Passkey**
5. Your mobile device will prompt for Face ID or biometrics.

---

## 7. Sign in using Microsoft Authentiactor

1. In some cases you may need to use the original MFA through the Authenticator app, to do so, select the 'X' or 'Cancel' button and select **Sign in Another way  
    [![BypassPasskey.png](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2026-02/scaled-1680-/eo9mZFNsO5k2ZFEe-bypasspasskey.png)](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2026-02/eo9mZFNsO5k2ZFEe-bypasspasskey.png)[![UseAuthenticator.png](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2026-02/scaled-1680-/zNYzTG0QkBT2T8bi-useauthenticator.png)](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2026-02/zNYzTG0QkBT2T8bi-useauthenticator.png)**
2. Select **Approve a request on my Microsoft Authenticator app** to complete original MFA steps.   
      
    [![OriginalMFA.png](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2026-02/scaled-1680-/CZTJJNAo4Mox8qqZ-originalmfa.png)](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2026-02/CZTJJNAo4Mox8qqZ-originalmfa.png)
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to approve the Authenticator request.

---

## 8. What happens when you get a new phone? 

- If your passkey was saved to Apple Passwords or Google Password Manager, it may become available again after you: 
    1. Sign into your new phone with the same Apple or Google account
    2. Enable iCloud Password or Google Password Manager sync
    3. Set up Face ID, fingerprint, screen lock, or device PIN
    4. Login to your Lions email using [https://www.office.com](https://www.office.com) or [selfservice.piedmont.edu ](https://selfservice.piedmont.edu)
    5. Select the saved passkey when prompted

<p class="callout warning">If your passkey does not appear, you will need to [Contact IT ](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/books/student-resources/chapter/contact-it "Contact IT!")for assistance. </p>

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## 9. Security Notes

- Your passkey is only as secure as your Apple or Google account. Use a password manager!
- Use a strong password on your Apple or Google account. Do not reuse passwords!
- Keep account recovery options up to date on your Apple or Google account
- Never share your phone PIN, Apple password, Google password, or Device unlock code
- Do not save passkeys on shared or public devices

---

## 10. Next Steps

Review what you can do to help keep Piedmont secure [here](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/books/student-resources/page/keep-piedmont-secure "Keep Piedmont Secure!")!

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## <span class="s1">**Need Help?**</span>

<p class="callout info">If you encounter an error or need assistance with this guide, please contact the IT Department and include a screenshot with a brief description of the issue.  
  
[**Contact the IT Department Here**](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/books/student-resources/chapter/contact-it "Contact IT!")</p>