Using a passkey to sign in to GOV.UK One Login
How to use a passkey to sign in and what to do if your passkey does not work.
A passkey lets you sign in to GOV.UK One Login faster, without needing your password or a security code.
You’ll sign in the same way you unlock your phone, computer or tablet, for example by:
- scanning your face or fingerprint
- entering your device passcode, PIN or pattern
Passkeys are more secure than passwords and can protect you from hacking or scams.
When you set up a passkey, it becomes the main way you sign in to GOV.UK One Login.
What you’ll need
You can set up a passkey using your smartphone or tablet, for example:
- an iPhone 8 or newer running iOS 16 or higher
- an Android phone or tablet (such as a Samsung or Google Pixel) running Android 10 or higher
- an iPad running iOS 16 or higher
You can also use a computer, for example:
- a Windows computer running Windows 10 or higher
- an Apple computer (such as a MacBook or iMac) running macOS Ventura 13 or higher
You’ll need to have set up a screen lock on your device to be able to use passkeys.
A screen lock is the security method you’ve set up to unlock your device - such as a face or fingerprint scan, or a passcode, PIN or pattern.
Set up a passkey
You may be asked if you want to set up a passkey when you sign in to your GOV.UK One Login.
You can also set up passkeys at any time. To do this:
- Sign in to your GOV.UK One Login.
- Select Manage your sign in details.
- Find the row for ‘Set up a passkey’.
- Enter your password and select Continue.
- Select Set up a passkey.
- Follow the instructions on your device to scan your face or fingerprint, or enter your device passcode, PIN or pattern.
You should not set up a passkey on a device that you share with other people. This is because anyone who can unlock that device may be able to use your passkey.
Your biometric data won’t be shared with GOV.UK One Login or any services that you access with it.
After you set up your passkey
Your passkey will be saved to your password manager. This depends on your device, for example:
- Apple devices use the ‘Passwords’ app
- Android devices use ‘Google Password Manager’
You’ll get an email that tells you where your passkey is saved.
You can use your passkey next time you sign in.
There may still be times when you need your password and a security code, for example as a back-up way to sign in if you lose your passkey.
Use your passkey to sign in
When you sign in to your GOV.UK One Login, you’ll enter your email address and then use your passkey.
This will be the same way you unlock your phone, computer or tablet.
You can sign in with any device that shares the same password manager as your passkey.
For example, if you set up a passkey on your iPhone, you can also use it on your iPad.
Sign in on a different device using a QR code
If you’re trying to sign in on a device which does not have your passkey saved, you can scan a QR code to sign in.
You’ll need to:
- have a device that has your passkey nearby
- switch on Bluetooth for both devices
For example, if you set up a passkey on your phone, you can sign in on a different laptop by scanning a QR code with your phone. To do this:
- Sign in to your GOV.UK One Login on your laptop.
- Enter your email address.
- On the ‘Sign in with your face, fingerprint or passcode’ page, select Continue.
- When your laptop gives you instructions, select the option to use a different device or similar.
- Scan the QR code using the camera on a phone or tablet your passkey is saved to.
- Follow the instructions on your phone or tablet to use your passkey.
- Return to your laptop to finish.
If you cannot use your passkey
If you cannot sign in with your passkey, you can use your password and a security code instead.
To do this, when you see the page ‘Sign in with your face, fingerprint or passcode’, select Sign in another way.
If you’re trying to sign in by scanning a QR code on a different device, check that you have Bluetooth switched on for both devices.
If your passkey isn’t working, you can remove it from your GOV.UK One Login and set up a new one.
If you lose your device
No one else can sign in with the passkey on your lost device, as long as they cannot unlock it.
You can still sign in to your GOV.UK One Login using either:
- your passkey on another device
- your password and a security code
If your device has been stolen, remove the passkey from your GOV.UK One Login and set up a new one.
Remove a passkey
When you remove a passkey, it will be deleted from your GOV.UK One Login. To do this:
- Sign in to your GOV.UK One Login using your password and a security code.
- Select Manage your sign in details.
- Find the row for ‘Passkeys’.
- Find the passkey you want to remove and select Remove passkey.
- Enter your password and follow the instructions on the page.
Get help using passkeys
For more help, check the guidance for your device.
If you’re on a phone, find out how to use:
If you’re on a computer, find out how use:
If you’re on a tablet, find out how use: