How to set up and use passkeys on iPad

Difficulty
Beginner
Tested on
iPadOS 18.4 - iPad Pro M4
You will need
iPad with iPadOS 16.1 or later, iCloud Keychain enabled

Step by step

  1. 1 min

    Enable iCloud Keychain

    Open the Settings app and tap your Apple ID banner at the top. Select iCloud, then tap Passwords & Keychain, and ensure the toggle for Sync this iPad is set to On.

    Note: Passkeys require iCloud Keychain to sync securely across your Apple devices.
  2. 30 sec

    Sign in to the target website or app

    Launch Safari or the specific application where you want to create a passkey. Navigate to the account security or login settings page provided by the service.

  3. 30 sec

    Initiate passkey creation

    Locate the option to set up a passkey within the service settings, often labeled as Security or Passwordless Login. Click or tap the button to Create a Passkey.

    Note: Not all services support passkeys; check your provider's help documentation if the option is missing.
  4. 15 sec

    Confirm with biometrics

    A system prompt will appear on your iPad screen. Authenticate using Face ID or Touch ID as prompted to authorize the creation of the passkey.

  5. 30 sec

    Manage saved passkeys

    To view or manage your passkeys, navigate to Settings > Passwords. Select the specific account to see the saved passkey entry, where you can delete or view details as needed.

    Note: Your iPad will automatically suggest the passkey when you visit the site in the future.