The social media platform “X” (formerly Twitter) has announced the availability of the password keys feature in its iPhone application to enhance account security, as reported by The Verge.
The platform stated through one of its official accounts on the platform, “We are excited to launch password keys as an option for login for our users residing in the United States on the iOS system.”
According to the platform, support for password keys will be available only to users in the United States at the moment. The platform has not disclosed the release date for login key technology on Android, desktop operating systems, or its availability in other countries.
“X” joins major tech companies like Google, PayPal, Microsoft, Nintendo, and others in allowing login without a password, utilizing password keys.
Via its official Help Center page, “X” encouraged users to use the new feature, as it provides them with a seamless login experience. After setting it up, users can use their dedicated password key to log in to their accounts across different devices without the need to remember or reset a forgotten password.
The password keys feature offers a higher level of security for accounts, as they are uniquely generated on the device and are less susceptible to security threats such as phishing attacks compared to traditional passwords.
To create a password key for an “X” account through the app, users can go to “Settings & Privacy,” then click on “Account Security & Access,” choose “Security,” press “Enable Additional Password Protection,” select “Password Key,” enter the password, and follow the remaining on-screen instructions. The key can also be deleted later from the same settings.
Password keys are stored in Apple’s iCloud Keychain service. To benefit from them in various apps and services, the iPhone must run iOS 16 or later.
Password keys rely on biometric authentication for user identity verification, requiring fingerprint confirmation or facial recognition, unlike traditional passwords that depend on letters, numbers, and symbols.
Password keys can replace traditional passwords with your device’s authentication methods. This way, you can log in to email accounts or other services solely by activating facial recognition on your iPhone, using the fingerprint sensor on an Android phone, or using Windows Hello on a computer.
Based on web authentication technology, two different keys are created when generating a password key: one stored by the website or service where your account exists, and a private key stored on the device you use to verify your identity.
If password keys are stored on your device, what happens if it is compromised or lost? Since passwords work across multiple devices, you may have a backup available. Many services that support password keys will also re-authenticate via your phone number, email address, or device security key if you have one.
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