How to Use Passkeys in mSecure 7

This guide walks you through how to create passkeys, add them to mSecure, and sign in using them on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.  

If you just want an overview of what passkeys are, see: Passkeys: New in mSecure 7

Note: Passkeys are not yet supported in mSecure for Windows. Support is planned for a future update. On Windows you can still use mSecure for passwords and one-time passwords (OTPs).

Before You Start

Before mSecure can offer passkeys, it has to be set up on the device and in the browser you're signing in from. Do this once per device. 

On iPhone and iPad

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General, then AutoFill & Passwords.
3. Turn on AutoFill Passwords and Passkeys.
4. Under "AutoFill from:", turn on mSecure.

mSecure will now offer your passkeys in Safari and in apps. Nothing needs to be installed in the browser. 

On Mac – Safari

Safari uses the same approach as iPhone and iPad:

1. Open System Settings.
2. Click General, then AutoFill & Passwords.
3. Turn on mSecure.

You can also reach this from mSecure: open Preferences, click the Browsers tab, and click Extensions under Safari AutoFill. 

On Mac – Chrome

Chrome uses the mSecure browser plugin instead:

1. Open mSecure and unlock it.
2. Open Preferences and click the Browsers tab.
3. Click Browser Plugins and follow the instructions to install the plugin for Chrome.
4. Open the plugin in Chrome and unlock it with your mSecure password.

On all devices

Make sure biometric unlock (Face ID or Touch ID) is enabled inside the mSecure app. If it is turned off in the app, you will not be able to approve passkeys with Face ID or Touch ID in your browser. 

What You Can Do With Passkeys in mSecure

mSecure lets you:

• Store passkeys securely
• Sync them to your other devices where mSecure supports passkeys
• Organize them with tags, templates, and vaults
• Use them to authenticate with supported websites and apps

To learn how mSecure protects your information, see: mSecure's Security Model.

How to Create a Passkey

Passkeys are created in the security settings of a supported website or app.

Typical steps:

1. Sign in to the account.
2. Open Security, Password & Login, or Authentication.
3. Select Create a Passkey or Set Up a Passkey.
4. When prompted, choose mSecure.
5. Approve with Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode.

For platform-specific passkey creation guides, see the official documentation from:

• Apple
• Google

Adding Passkeys to mSecure

When you create a passkey, you are asked where to save it. To store it in mSecure, choose mSecure when prompted – your passkey is then saved to your vault and synced to your other devices. 

• iPhone and iPad: When the system save sheet appears, select mSecure.
• Mac, Safari: When the system save sheet appears, select mSecure.
• Mac, Chrome: Make sure the mSecure browser plugin is installed and unlocked, then select mSecure when prompted. 

How to Sign in Using a Passkey

Once a passkey is stored:

1. Visit the login page of the service.
2. Choose Sign in with a Passkey.
3. mSecure suggests the stored passkey.
4. Approve the login with Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode.
5. You're instantly signed in. 

Signing In on a Different Device

Your passkeys sync to all your devices, but mSecure has to be set up on a device before it can offer them there. If you are signing in somewhere for the first time, follow the Before You Start steps for that device and browser first. 

If your browser shows a QR code instead

When you choose Sign in with a Passkey and your browser displays a QR code to scan with your phone, it means nothing on that computer was able to supply the passkey. This is your browser's own fallback, not an mSecure feature. 

Scanning that code looks for the passkey in your phone's built-in keychain rather than in mSecure, so it will not find a passkey saved in your vault. 

What to do instead:

• Safari on a Mac: turn on mSecure in System Settings > General > AutoFill & Passwords, then reload the login page and try again. 
• Chrome on a Mac: install and unlock the mSecure browser plugin, then reload the login page and try again.
• Windows: passkeys are not yet supported. Sign in with your password for now.

Tips for Transitioning to Passkeys

• Start with high-value accounts (email, cloud storage, banking).
• Keep your existing passwords until you've confirmed passkey login works.
• If you also use a Windows PC, keep the password on any account where you add a passkey, so you can still sign in there.
• Set up mSecure on a device before you need to sign in on it, rather than at the login screen.
• Add new passkeys to mSecure as more services support them.
• Review your login methods periodically to see what can be upgraded. 

Did you find it helpful? Yes No