While passkeys are designed to be reliable, you may encounter issues. This troubleshooting guide covers common problems and their solutions.

Passkey Not Syncing Across Devices

If a passkey created on one device does not appear on another, check that you are signed into the same cloud account on both devices. For Apple, verify iCloud Keychain is enabled. For Google, confirm Chrome sync is active. For Microsoft, check your Microsoft account sync settings.

If sync is enabled but still not working, try manually refreshing: toggle sync off and on, or sign out and sign back into your account. In some cases, a device restart resolves sync delays.

Biometric Authentication Failing

If Face ID or fingerprint recognition does not work, clean the sensor and your fingers or face. Ensure proper lighting for facial recognition. Check that biometric settings are enabled in your device’s security settings. On iPhone, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode. On Android, Settings > Security > Biometrics.

If hardware issues persist, most devices allow PIN or password fallback even when biometrics fail. In enterprise environments, IT policies may restrict biometric options.

Website or App Does Not Support Passkeys

Many sites still do not support passkeys. In this case, the passkey option simply will not appear. Continue using your password manager for these sites. Check the service’s help documentation or security settings periodically for new passkey support.

You can also encourage services to add passkey support by providing feedback through their support channels.

QR Code Passkey Transfer Not Working

When using cross-device passkey transfer via QR code, ensure both devices have Bluetooth enabled. Hold them close together during the transfer. Make sure the camera on the device scanning the QR code is not obstructed. Check that both devices have up-to-date operating system versions.

Passkey Prompt Not Appearing

If a service supports passkeys but the prompt does not appear, try using a supported browser. Safari (Apple), Chrome (Google), and Edge (Microsoft) have the best passkey support. Some browsers or browser extensions can interfere with WebAuthn—try disabling extensions temporarily.

Clearing browser cache or restarting the browser can also resolve this issue.

Account Locked After Device Loss

If you lose your device without setting up recovery options, account recovery can be difficult. Contact the service’s support team and be prepared to verify your identity through alternative means (email, phone verification, security questions). This process varies by service and can take days.

This underscores the importance of configuring recovery methods before relying solely on passkeys.

Summary

Most passkey issues have straightforward solutions. Keep your software updated, ensure proper sync settings, and always configure recovery options before switching to passkey-only authentication.