PlayStation Passkey: how to log in to your PS account without a password

PlayStation Network (PSN) login recently got a whole lot simpler thanks to the introduction of passkeys. This new authentication system allows PS5 and PS4 users to access their accounts with a passcode, or by using Face ID or Touch ID on the PlayStation App on Mobile.

For players who struggle to remember complex passwords, setting up a PSN passkey offers a quick and convenient solution. The process is straightforward and can be completed in minutes through the official PlayStation website. Note that resetting a password will deactivate any existing passkey.

This guide will outline the steps involved in setting up a PSN passkey, streamlining your login process on PS5 or PS4.

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How to set up your Passkey on PS5

Step 1: On your PS5 home screen, head to "Settings" and then choose "User and Accounts.

Step 2: Look for the "Security" option within the "Account" menu.

Step 3: Choose "Sign in With Passkey." You'll see a QR code on your screen. Scan it with your phone’s default camera. 

Step 4: Now connect your phone to create your Passkey. Sign in to your PlayStation account on your phone to complete the authentication process. Once that's done, select the "Create Passkey" option and choose the unlock method you want to use – a simple passcode, or the convenience of your phone's Face ID or Touch ID.

Step 5: After completing Step 4, a similar confirmation message will appear on your console. Once you see this, go ahead and attempt to sign in to your console again.

Once all of the steps above have been completed, you'll be able to use your passkey to sign in to your PSN account easily. It's worth noting that once your passkey is set up, your regular password won't work anymore. This becomes your new way to log in unless you decide to make any changes.

As with most, the common tendency with innovation might be to initially embrace it but eventually gravitate back towards what they’re accustomed to. If you need to delete your existing passkey, rest assured, the process is uncomplicated and straightforward.

How to remove a Passkey on PSN

• Step 1: Head to the official PlayStation website and sign in to Account Management.
• Step 2: Find the "Security" section and look for the "Manage Passkeys" option.
• Step 3: Select Remove next to the pass key to delete it completely.

You have two options: completely delete your passkey or turn off the passkey login and create a new password. If you prefer this then, it’s possible to switch back to using a standard password for sign in. 

Following these few simple steps:

How to restore password sign-in for your PSN account 

• Step 1: Log into Account Management.
• Step 2: Navigate to the Security settings and disable the ‘Sign in with Passkey’ feature.
• Step 3: Follow the prompts to create a new password for future PSN sign-ins

Are PSN Passkeys more secure than passwords?

Before you start enjoying the convenience of old habits, let's talk about the security edge of passkeys which lies in their design. They are not only resistant to common attack vectors but also minimize user error risks—a significant factor in security breaches. Passkeys eliminate the need to create, remember, and frequently change passwords, which often leads to weak password choices or reuse across multiple sites. 

Moreso, with passkeys, the authentication process becomes less error-prone as they integrate effortlessly with two-factor authentication (2FA), offering an extra layer of defense. Unlike typical 2FA requiring a password and a secondary code, passkeys simplify the process by replacing the password with a more secure and user-friendly authentication method. This combination ensures that unauthorized access to the account is still prevented even if one security layer is breached.

As we draw this guide to a close, here's a final tip: For Android enthusiasts, ensure your Google Play Services are up-to-date and your Google account is in sync. Likewise, If you have multiple devices, synchronize those passkeys so you can log in seamlessly from anywhere.