TikTok is the latest platform to leverage the passkeys authentication method, letting users sign in with their device’s biometrics instead of a set password.
Well, this support is only available on the TikTok iOS app now in Asia, Africa, Australia, and South America, while Android and other regions will gain support later. And since the created passkeys on iOS are stored in iCloud Keychain, they can be synced and used from multiple devices.
Passkeys on TikTok iOS App
After Gmail, PayPal and Microsoft, ByteDance’s TikTok is leveraging the Passkeys authentication system for its app on iOS, as announced this week. The short video platform says the new sign-in method is rolling out in Asia, Africa, Australia, and South America. At the same time, Android users and other regions must wait longer.
When available, users can add a passkey by going to TikTok account settings and clicking on the new passkey option. After a couple of steps, you’ll be asked to save the generated passkey to your iCloud Keychain and accept it.
The process includes creating two passkeys – a public key known to you through the biometric and a private one stored in the device. So whenever you try to open the TikTok app, you’ll be prompted to use any device biometrics – Face ID or Touch ID, which will be authenticated against the private keys stored in your device.
Once matched, you’ll be let in. And since these passkeys can also be stored in Apple’s iCloud Keychain, you can sign in from multiple devices if logged in with the same Apple ID. This authentication method is quick and more secure since the process doesn’t include entering text passwords. PayPal leveraged this option earlier on Android, followed by Microsoft on its Windows 11.
