Frequently Asked Questions: Using Synced Passkeys for IUP Computing Accounts

A passkey is a secure authentication credential that allows you to sign in using your device’s built-in security features rather than relying on traditional passwords.

A synced passkey is securely stored through a supported passkey provider and may be available across compatible devices associated with that provider. Examples include Google Password Manager and Apple Passwords Manager (or sometime called Keychain). 

No.

Microsoft Authenticator is commonly used to approve sign-in requests.

A passkey can perform the authentication itself without requiring a password or a separate approval request.

Yes.

Your password will continue to exist and may still be required by some systems, such as connecting to IUP wireless, logging on interactively to a lab PC or other IUP-managed PC, etc.

Your synced passkey should be synchronized through your supported passkey provider. As such, after you get your new device, sign in to that provider on the new device and complete the recovery process; your synced passkey should be available for use to log in to your IUP account.

If your passkey has been synchronized and you can recover access to the associated provider account holding your passkey (e.g., Google Password Manager, Apple Passwords, etc.), you should be able to recover access on another compatible device.

If you are having issues, please log an ihelp ticket accordingly.

Yes.

Passkeys can be used on compatible mobile devices and computers. Some sign-in experiences allow you to use a passkey stored on one device to sign in from another (typically by scanning a QR code). 

This is cross-device login (and will require Bluetooth on both devices.

No.

Your device performs the biometric verification locally. IUP receives the authentication result rather than the biometric information itself.

Yes.

Passkeys are intended for faculty, staff, students, emeriti, and other eligible account holders.

IUP is currently offering synced passkeys as an optional sign-in method.

Future authentication requirements will be communicated to the campus community before any mandatory changes occur.

Yes.

IUP will offer an alternative method for authenticating if a user is unable to use a supported synced passkey. However, those users will lose some of the benefits of the synced password, mainly when getting a new device; they will be required to work with the IT Support Center to gain access back to their IUP account.