Glossary
Passkey
A passkey is a cryptographic sign-in credential usually stored on a trusted device or in a password manager. It is designed to let someone sign in without typing a normal password.
Why it matters
Passkeys can make accounts safer and easier to use while you are alive, but they can confuse families after a death because the sign-in method may live only on a phone, tablet, laptop, or password manager the family does not control.
A digital plan should explain where passkeys are stored and what device or recovery path is needed to reach them.
Common mistakes
- Using passkeys without documenting where they are stored.
- Assuming a family member can recover a passkey the same way they would reset a password.
- Forgetting that how a device is unlocked, such as with a passcode or fingerprint, may matter as much as the account password.
Safer next steps
- Record which important accounts rely on passkeys and where those passkeys are stored.
- Document backup devices, password-manager access, and recovery methods without exposing secrets in plain text.
- Review passkey-dependent accounts whenever you replace your primary phone, laptop, or password manager.