Passkeys

What is a passkey?

A passkey is a secure alternative to passwords. It is created and safely stored on your device.

Unlike passwords, which you need to remember and enter when you log in, you never have to type or enter your passkey.

You will be able to log in using your fingerprint, face, PIN, passcode, pattern or any other method you use to unlock your device.

Why you should use a passkey

Passkeys provide the strongest protection against phishing and hacking attempts.

Each passkey is unique and linked to the website or app it is created for. Fraudulent apps or websites cannot steal your passkey.

Your passkey is safely stored on your device. No one can see or access it, including NHS login.

What you need to set up a passkey

To set up a passkey you should have a screen lock on your device. A screen lock can be your fingerprint, face, passcode, PIN or pattern.

You also need to have Bluetooth enabled on your device. This will allow you to set up a passkey on a nearby device.

Information:

If you're using an Apple device, you may be asked to turn on iCloud Keychain.

Your passkey will be available across all your Apple devices.

How to set up a passkey

You can set up a passkey on your phone, computer, laptop or tablet.

You can have multiple passkeys set up on different devices.

Information:

You should only set up passkeys on your personal or trusted devices.

Set up a passkey on the device that you are using

  1. Go to Login and security settings in your NHS account.
  2. Select Passkeys.
  3. Select Set up a passkey. A pop up message will ask you to create a passkey.

If you are on a desktop device, you might be asked to choose where you want to save your passkey. To save your passkey on the device that you are using, select 'This device' or similar. If you are using a Windows desktop, select 'Windows Hello'.

  1. Select 'Continue'. Your device will ask you to authenticate by using your fingerprint, face, passcode, pattern or any other method you use to unlock your device.
  2. Follow the instructions on your device to finish setting up your passkey.

Set up a passkey on a device other than the one you are using

For example, you might be on your laptop, but you might want to save your passkey on your mobile phone.

  1. Go to Login and security settings in your NHS account.
  2. Select Passkeys.
  3. Select Set up a passkey. A pop up message will ask you to create a passkey.
  4. Select Use a different phone or tablet or similar.
  5. Scan the QR code using the device that you want to save your passkey on.
  6. Your device will ask you to authenticate by using your fingerprint, face, passcode, pattern or any other method you use to unlock your device.
  7. Follow the instructions on your device to finish setting up your passkey.

Set up a passkey on a Windows desktop

  1. Go to Login and security settings in your NHS account.
  2. Select Passkeys.
  3. Select Set up a passkey. A pop up message will ask you to create a passkey.
  4. To set up your passkey on your Windows desktop, you should select Windows Hello or external security key.
  5. Your device will ask you to authenticate using your fingerprint, face or Windows Hello PIN.
  6. Follow the instructions on your device to finish setting up your passkey.

How to log in with a passkey

Log in on a device that has your passkey

  1. Enter your email address.
Information:

If you are having difficulty logging in on iPhone or iPad, make sure ‘Password AutoFill’ and ‘Passkey AutoFill’ are turned on in your device settings.

  1. Your device will ask you to authenticate by using your fingerprint, face, passcode, pattern or any other method you use to unlock your device.
  2. Follow the instructions on your device to finish logging in.

Log in on a device that does not have your passkey

For example, you might have set up your passkey on your mobile phone, but you might want to use it to log in on your laptop.

  1. Enter your email address and select Continue. A pop up message will ask you to log in with your passkey.
  2. Select Use a different phone or tablet or similar.
  3. Scan the QR code using the device that has your passkey.
  4. Follow the instructions on your device to finish logging in.

How to remove a passkey

You can remove passkeys from your phone, computer, laptop or tablet.

To remove a passkey:

  1. Log in to your NHS account.
  2. Select Login and security settings.
  3. Select Remove for the passkey you want to remove.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm removing your passkey.

This will remove the passkey from your account and you will not be able to use it to log in.

Next time you log in on that device, you may see a message asking if you want to use your passkey. To stop getting this message you will also need to remove the passkey from your device settings.

If you lose your device

To use a passkey, your device will ask for your fingerprint, face, passcode or pattern to unlock your device. Without doing this, nobody else can use your passkey and it will remain secure on the device.

You can still log in to your account using another device that has your passkey. If you do not have a passkey set up on another device, you can use your password instead.

If you get a new device

Information:

If you will not be using your old device any more, you need to remove your passkey using the settings on your device.

You can set up a new passkey on your new device using Login and security settings in your NHS account.

If you set up your passkey on an iPhone or iPad, it will be available across all your Apple devices that are logged into the same Apple ID.