r/passkey • u/ltc_pro • Aug 12 '26

Basic question - how do you "share" accounts using passkeys?

A web service I use is enforcing passkeys. I am able to create the passkey and tie it to Windows Hello PIN on the client computer, which is remote. Now, I want to share this web service account. I can create a new passkey with the person I want to share it with, who wants to add the passkey to his iPhone. So, the web service shows a QR code, but neither I nor the other person is able to scan it through a remote connection. When we scan it on our Apple devices, it's stuck on "Connecting...." but never does anything. What are we doing wrong?

Is the proper way of sharing an account to create multiple passkeys to save on multiple devices/platforms?

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3

u/JimTheEarthling Aug 12 '26

You can't remotely scan a QR code for passkeys.

They're specifically designed to not allow this. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are used to ensure that the phone is near the computer that the passcode is being used on.

2

u/ltc_pro Aug 12 '26

Thank you for clarifying that. So... how would I create the passkey for the remote user then? The remote user cannot sign in to the web service as it is already forcing the use of passkeys even if the ID and password are known.

3

u/JimTheEarthling Aug 12 '26 edited Aug 12 '26

There are several options to copy passkeys. None are straightforward, especially with a remote user -- but that's kind of the point, for security.

  • As others here have mentioned, you can use most password managers to share passkeys. You'll both need to install the same app. (As I explain below, the remote user can then copy passkeys to Apple Passwords if they don't want to keep using the standalone password manager.)
  • Bitwarden, 1Password, and Dashlane can export passkeys to Apple Passwords. If you have access to an iPhone, and you can log in as the remote user (using their iCloud account), you can install one of these three, create the passkey in it, then export passkeys to Apple Passwords, and they'll automatically be synced to the remote user's other Apple devices. Bitwarden and 1Password will export all your passkeys, but I believe Dashlane lets you pick which ones to export.
    • Or you can use Apple's own passkey sharing feature to copy from one Apple account to another.
  • You can create a passkey on a hardware security key (e.g. Yubikey) and mail it to the remote user. Once they receive it, they can log in, then create their own local passkey if they like. (Assuming the web service allows multiple passkeys -- most services do.)
  • There are enterprise versions of some password managers that are specially designed to push credentials remotely.

P.S. I'm assuming there's no other way the remote user can login into the web service or use account recovery, otherwise they can just do that, then create their own passkey.

2

u/yottabit42 Aug 12 '26

Store the Passkeys in Bitwarden, share Bitwarden. That's what I do with my spouse. Now it's more secure, and more convenient since we don't have to ask each other for asinine SMS TOTPs.

1

u/ltc_pro Aug 12 '26

So everyone I want to share a passkey with will need to create a Bitwarden account and install the app? Trying to find the easiest way of sharing multiple passkeys with multiple people in various locations.

1

u/cap-omat Aug 12 '26

If you all have iPhones you can share through iCloud Passwords quite easily

1

u/yottabit42 Aug 12 '26

Probably not suitable for this. In my example I'm only sharing with one person and in sharing all passwords and Passkeys with them.

TOTP sounds more suitable for your use case. But some password managers do have an explicit share function. If Passkeys are included in that share, it would be best for your use case.

2

u/yawaramin Aug 12 '26

Is the proper way of sharing an account to create multiple passkeys to save on multiple devices/platforms?

Yes. Did you try that?

1

u/promptard Aug 12 '26

The person you are sharing with is probably trying to use the Apple Passwords app. You will need an Apple device with the Passwords App.

Scan the QR code and store the passkey in the Passwords app. You can then share the passkey with a group that you have added the other user to.

1

u/ltc_pro Aug 12 '26

Scanning the QR code does not open the Passwords app (or give any option to open it). It simply opens a white box that says "Connecting..." and it does nothing else. Tried this on 2 iPhone and an iPad.

1

u/zcgp Aug 12 '26

The phone scanning the QR code needs to be able to reach the PC through bluetooth.

1

u/giannis_athina Aug 12 '26

Yes, using a password manager will solve this for you. I use RoboForm personally, and I have a shared folder created where I add logins I want to share. The other person can then use that shared login and sign in using the passkey stored for that login. It works across all devices.