Passkeys
Sign in with your fingerprint, face or a security key, or use a passkey as your second factor.
A passkey is a key held by your phone, laptop or a hardware security key, unlocked with your fingerprint, face or a PIN. It can sign you in to UnitX with nothing to type, or act as the second step after your password. Passkeys can’t be phished: a passkey won’t work on a site pretending to be UnitX.
Two ways to use a passkey#
| Use | How it works | Which keys can do it |
|---|---|---|
| Instead of your password | Choose Sign in with a passkey on the sign-in page. No email or password. | Keys that verify it’s you (fingerprint, face or PIN). They are marked Can replace your password. |
| As a second factor | Sign in with your password, then choose Use a passkey. | Any registered key, including older security keys without a PIN. |
Either way, a passkey satisfies an organization that requires two-factor authentication.
Who can use it#
Everyone, for their own account. No permission is needed. You need a browser that supports passkeys; if yours doesn’t, SettingsSecurity says “This browser does not support passkeys. You can still use an authenticator app.”
Add a passkey#
Open Security
Go to SettingsSecurity and find Passkeys and security keys.
Name the key
In Name this key, enter a name you’ll recognize, such as “Work laptop” (up to 60 characters). If you leave it blank, UnitX suggests one such as Mac, iPhone or Windows PC.
Choose Add a passkey
The button shows “Waiting for your device…” while your device asks you to confirm. When it’s done you’ll see that the key is ready to use.
Each key in the list shows its name, when it was added and when it was last used (or never used).
Rename or remove a passkey#
- Rename opens Rename this key. Enter a new name and choose Save.
- Remove asks you to confirm. The key stops working immediately. Choose Keep it to back out.
Removing your last second factor
If the key is your only second factor and an organization you belong to requires two-factor authentication, removing it locks you out of that organization until you add another.
Tips#
- A passkey lives on the device, or in the password manager, that created it. Add one on each device you use, or use a password manager that syncs passkeys.
- Add more than one. A second key kept somewhere else is your way back in if you lose a device.
- Your password still exists when you use passkeys. Keep it, or also set up an authenticator app, for devices where you haven’t added a passkey, including the mobile app, which doesn’t support passkeys yet.
Frequently asked questions#
“That key is already registered on this account.”
You already added a passkey on this device. The one you have works.
“This key did not verify who you are.”
The key can prove it’s the right key but not that you’re holding it, so it can’t replace your password. Sign in with your password and use the key as the second step, or set a PIN on the key.
What happens if I lose the device?
Sign in with another passkey, your password and authenticator app, or a recovery code. Then remove the lost key from Settings → Security.
Can an administrator see my passkey?
No. The secret part never leaves your device. UnitX only stores what it needs to check a signature.
Related pages#
Still stuck? Search the docs with ⌘K, open Help inside UnitX, or contact support.