What is a passkey and how do I use it to log in to my PayPal account?

What are passkeys?

Passkeys are a simple and secure alternative to passwords. With a passkey, you can log in to PayPal using the same biometrics, PIN, or password you use to unlock your device.

Why are passkeys safer than passwords?  

Unlike passwords, passkeys can only exist on your devices. They can't be written down or accidentally be given to a bad actor. When you use a passkey to sign in to your PayPal account, it proves to PayPal that you have access to your device and are able to unlock it.

With passkeys, does PayPal now have my biometric data? 

No. Your biometric data is not shared with PayPal and never leaves your device. 

What happens if my device is lost or stolen? 

If your device is lost or stolen, you can still log in to PayPal with your password or a one-time passcode.

Your PayPal account on the lost or stolen device cannot be accessed using the saved passkey without your face, fingerprint or PIN. As an extra precaution, you can also remove the passkey associated with the lost or stolen device.

What does my device need to setup a passkey with PayPal?

Passkeys are currently available for the following eligible Personal accounts: 

• iOS 16 or higher
  • PayPal app
  • Safari version 16.1 or higher
  • Chrome version 108 or higher
    
• MacOS Ventura or higher
  • Safari version 16.1 or higher
  • Chrome version 118 or higher
    
• Windows 10 or higher
  
  • Edge version 108 or higher
  • Chrome version 108 or higher
    
• Android 9 or higher
  • PayPal app
  • Chrome version 108 or higher

How do I create and review a passkey?

To create a passkey, go to the Passkey Creation page (you may be asked to log in), and follow the on-screen prompts.

To review your passkey, go to the Passkey Management page (you may be asked to log in). You can review your existing passkeys on this page.

How do I delete my passkey?

Once you set up a passkey, it is saved in your password manager (for example, iCloud keychain or Google Password Manager). If you wish to remove your passkey so it can no longer be used to sign in to PayPal on your device, you should remove it from:

• Your PayPal account
• Your password manager

To delete your passkey from your PayPal account:

1. Go to the Passkey Management page (you may be asked to log in).
2. Select the passkey you'd like to delete and click Remove This Passkey.

Once you have deleted your passkey from your PayPal account, you should also delete the passkey from your password manager (such as iCloud Keychain or Google Password Manager). This will prevent your device from providing deleted passkeys as autofill suggestions during future login attempts.

I tried to auto-fill my passkey from the browser, but I got an error. Why is this happening?

You may have deleted your passkey from your PayPal account, but not from your password manager (such as iCloud Keychain or Google Password Manager). Follow your password manager’s support documentation to delete the passkey from your password manager.

I created a passkey, but I am still being asked to log in with a password. Why is this happening?

Here are some reasons this could happen:

1. The passkey may not be available on the current device.
   
   When you create a passkey, it is saved to a password manager linked to your device. If you try to log in on a different device that is not connected to the same password manager or that is connected to a different password manager account (e.g. different iCloud account for iCloud keychain), you will not be able to use this passkey. You can create another passkey on this new device.
   
   
2. The current browser or device may not yet be eligible for PayPal passkey login.
   
   We are working on enabling new browsers.
   
   
3. Passkey login is available as a browser autofill option.
   
   If you have a passkey available on the current device and the browser is eligible for passkey login, you will be able to use browser autofill to log in with your passkey on the password entry page.