Facebook Passkey: How to Create One, and What to Do When It Won’t Work

Meta says you may be prompted to create a passkey when you sign in, or you can set one up yourself.

1. Go to your settings in the app you’re using.
2. Tap or click Meta Account Settings, then Login and security.
3. Tap or click Passkey, then Create passkey, and follow the prompts.

Meta says it may automatically upgrade saved logins to a passkey when you sign in with password autofill. That doesn’t change how you log in; to stop it, turn off Allow Automatic Passkey Upgrades in your device’s password settings. You can have up to 5 passkeys per Meta Account.

Your passkey uses the same fingerprint, face scan or screen lock you use to unlock your device.

1. On the login screen, click Use Passkey, or choose your passkey from the autofill list.
2. Confirm with your fingerprint, face or screen lock.
3. On a new device, such as a guest computer, you may see a QR code. Scan it with your phone to sign in. Turn on Bluetooth on both devices.

Meta describes two types: synced passkeys, available on any device signed into a cloud service like iCloud Keychain or Google Password Manager, and device-bound passkeys, which stay on the device they were created on.

Meta says to use the latest app, an eligible device and the latest operating system and browser.

1. Update the Facebook app.
2. Check your device: iPhone 8 or later on iOS 16+, with iCloud and two-factor authentication on; Android 9+ with a device lock; Windows 10 or later, or macOS Ventura or later.
3. Check your browser: Chrome 109+, Safari 16+ or Edge 109+.
4. Turn on your device screen lock.
5. Using your phone to sign in on a computer? Turn on Bluetooth.
6. On iPhone, iPad and other Apple devices, turn on iCloud Keychain.
7. Leave Incognito or private mode: Meta says you may be unable to create or use passkeys there.
8. Remember WhatsApp passkeys can’t be used for Facebook, and Meta passkeys can’t log in to WhatsApp.

Still no Passkey option? Meta says passkeys may not be available for everyone yet. Our advice: turn on two-factor authentication in the meantime.

Meta says removing a passkey is permanent, and if your account needs a passkey for Advanced Protection, removing it may lock you out until you create a new one.

1. Go to your settings in the app you’re using > Meta Account Settings > Login and security > Passkey.
2. Tap Remove next to the passkey.
3. Re-enter your password or a one-time passcode if asked.
4. Also delete it from your device or password manager if needed: Meta says that’s a separate step.

If your account doesn’t require a passkey, Meta says you go back to other sign-in methods, like your password.

Meta’s passkeys page says accounts enrolled in Advanced Protection are required to create a passkey, and that if you don’t, you’ll be locked out until you create one.

1. Create a passkey on your own phone or computer (Fix 1).
2. Learn who Advanced Protection applies to and how to turn it on: see Facebook Advanced Protection.

Meta’s Advanced Protection page words this differently: it says required accounts need either two-factor authentication or a passkey. If Facebook asks you for a passkey, follow what the app shows.