1Password, the leading password manager for families, has taken a major step forward by releasing the beta version of its browser extension, which now supports passkey login for select services. With the installation of this beta extension, users gain the ability to create, store, and share passkeys, elevating their password management experience to new heights.
The beta extension is compatible with all major browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, and even the privacy-focused Brave browser. While passkey login is still limited to a select few services, such as Adobe, BestBuy, eBay, and Paypal, 1Password provides a convenient directory where users can view the current services offering passwordless login. Moreover, users have the option to vote for additional services they would like to see gain passkey support. 1Password’s security alert feature, Watchtower, will keep users informed about new passkey-enabled services they use.
As the passkey support is currently in public beta, some features are still under development. Mobile versions of the platform do not yet support passkeys, and users cannot replace their master password with a passkey for their 1Password account.
1Password sets itself apart from Google and Apple’s first-party offerings by providing a cross-platform solution that avoids tying users to a specific ecosystem. Using both Google and Apple’s passkeys would require creating separate passkeys for a single account, whereas 1Password’s Universal Sign-On allows passwords and passkeys to sync seamlessly across different platforms.
While 1Password acknowledges that traditional passwords are likely to remain in use for the foreseeable future, the company shares the industry-wide goal of gradually phasing them out in favor of passkeys. Passkeys offer enhanced security as the private portion of the key is stored on the user’s device, making it resistant to phishing attacks. They also offer convenience by eliminating the need to remember or auto-fill passwords.
The development and adoption of passkeys are guided by the FIDO Alliance, an organization that sets standards for credential security. Notably, prominent tech companies such as Apple, Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft are among the board-level members of the FIDO Alliance, emphasizing the importance of passkeys in the future of online security.
With its beta release of passkey support, 1Password reinforces its position as a leading password manager, empowering users with enhanced security and streamlined authentication experiences across various platforms.
