A "Passkey" is an encrypted key stored on your mobile device. By verifying your biometric information (such as fingerprint, facial recognition) to verify this key, you can quickly log in to WeChat without entering a complex password.
Is Passkey safe?
Compared with traditional passwords, Passkeys are safer because
- Free from the risk of password leakage: Traditional passwords are easily leaked or guessed, especially when the same password or weak password is used across different apps or web sites. Your Passkey is verified via your device's biometric sensor, completely eliminating the risk of password cracking, theft, or leakage.
- Prevent phishing attacks: Traditional passwords are easily targeted by phishing attacks, and we may enter passwords to fake websites without knowing it. Passkeys are based on asymmetricm encypted security. No password is required during the login process, so even if a phishing attack occurs, the attacker cannot obtain the user's login information.
- Based on device and biometrics: Your Passkey is bound to a specific device and is only retained on the device side. Only through the device's biometrics (such as fingerprint, facial recognition) can your login be completed. This means that even if an attacker obtains your device, they cannot verify and access the account through their own biometric information.
Through these mechanisms, Passkeys provides more reliable security than traditional passwords.
How do I set up a "Passkey" for my WeChat?
We currently provide iOS users with the ability to log in to WeChat via a Passkey. First, you need to use a device with iOS 16 or iPadOS 16 or above, turn on the iCloud Keychain feature, and turn on two-factor authentication for your Apple ID. For more information, refer to: Use passkeys to sign in to apps and websites on iPhone – Apple Support
You can complete setting up your Passkey via the following steps below:
- Open WeChat: Make sure you are using the latest version of WeChat
- Enter Settings: On the "Me" tab, tap "Settings"
- Select Account & Security: Tap "Account & Security", then select "Passkey"
- Create a "Passkey": Follow the prompts to complete the verification of biometric information and create a key
How to log in using a "Passkey"?
Next time you log in to WeChat through an Apple device, select the "Log in with Passkey" option, or directly select the account to log in according to the prompt, and authenticate via biometrics.
How to revoke, delete, and reset the Passkey?
- Enter Settings: On the "Me" tab, tap "Settings"
- Select Account & Security: Tap "Account & Security", then select "Passkey"
- You can revoke, delete, or update the Passkey on the screen
Note: After deleting the Passkey in WeChat, the account can no longer use the Passkey to log in. At the same time, you can delete your Passkeys in iCloud via the device's Settings-iCloud-Passwords and Keys screen.