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How do I set up a passkey – Windows?

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In this article, you will learn how to set up a passkey for somnio on your Windows device and which requirements must be met.

With a passkey, you can log in to somnio securely and conveniently – without a password. Instead, you use the security features of your Windows device, such as fingerprint, facial recognition, or a PIN via Windows Hello. For this to work, certain requirements must be met on your device.

What are passkeys?
Passkeys are a new way to log in without a password. Instead, something is used that uniquely identifies you, such as your fingerprint, your face, or a trusted device. Passkeys are faster, easier, and significantly more secure against hacker attacks. You can find more information about passkeys in the article "What is a passkey?".

To use passkeys in somnio, the requirements on your device must first be met.

Is your device ready for passkeys?
On a Windows PC, passkeys work via Windows Hello. Windows Hello is the built-in login system of Windows and can be used with fingerprint, facial recognition, or a PIN. Here is how to check whether your device is compatible:

  • Open the settings.
  • Go to Accounts → Sign-in options.
  • Look for Windows Hello.

If options such as fingerprint, facial recognition, or PIN  are displayed there, your device is ready for passkeys. Make sure that at least one of these options is enabled. If nothing is set up yet, follow the Windows instructions to set up Windows Hello.

Is your software up to date?
To ensure passkeys work reliably, your Windows device should be up to date. Here is how to check:

  • Open the settings.
  • Go to Windows Update.
  • Check whether updates are available and install them if necessary.

Also make sure that your browser is up to date, for example Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome in a passkey-compatible version.

My device does not have fingerprint or facial recognition – what now?
Even if your Windows device does not support biometric features, you can use passkeys. The following alternatives are available:

  1. Use of a trusted device
    If a device is 'trusted', it simply means that the device already recognizes you and you can confirm actions without entering a password. This can be, for example, your smartphone. Here is how it works:
  • Open the app or website that supports passkeys.
  • Select Set up passkey.
  • Follow the instructions to link your smartphone.
  • Then confirm the login via a notification on the trusted device.
  1. Login with Windows Hello PIN
    If you do not want to use another device, you can also log in using a PIN via Windows Hello. Here is how to set it up:
  • Open Settings→ Accounts → Sign-in options.
  • Enable the Windows Hello PIN there.

When logging in with a passkey, your PIN will then be used as a substitute for biometric data.

With these alternatives, you can use passkeys securely even without fingerprint or facial recognition.

Any questions?
If you have questions about the somnio app – both regarding content and technical issues – you can contact our support team at any time. You can reach us by email at support@somn.io or directly via the support feature in the app. We respond within 24 hours, seven days a week.