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Passkeys in 2025: The Endgame for Authentication

Maksym Koval
4 min read

In our previous article, Magic Link Authentication in 2025, we explained why passwords are no longer worth maintaining — from business costs to UX friction. Magic Links solved the onboarding and signup flow problem. But what happens after the first login?

That’s where Passkeys come in — the new standard for returning users. If Magic Links replaced password-based registration, Passkeys are replacing password-based authorization.

What Exactly Are Passkeys?

A Passkey is a digital credential based on FIDO2 and WebAuthn. Instead of typing a password or opening your inbox, users authenticate through their device’s biometrics — Face ID, Touch ID, Windows Hello, or fingerprint sensors.

  • The private key stays securely on the user’s device.
  • The public key is stored on your server to verify the signed challenge.
  • Authentication happens in under a second — no emails, no codes, no friction.

The Role of Passkeys in the Passwordless Stack

Modern authentication in 2025 isn’t about choosing one method — it’s about layering them for different user stages:

  • Magic Links handle registration and first-time access — they work universally and are easy to onboard new users.
  • Passkeys take over repeat logins — the user simply taps “Use Face ID” or “Use fingerprint” and is instantly back in.
  • SSO / OAuth remains available for enterprise or social scenarios.

This combination delivers 100% coverage across devices and user types — no passwords required, ever.

Why 2025 Became the Tipping Point

Several ecosystem shifts made Passkeys finally practical:

  • Native support across Apple, Google, and Microsoft ecosystems.
  • Cloud sync via iCloud Keychain and Google Password Manager.
  • User awareness — Face ID and Touch ID made biometric login normal.
  • Compliance incentives — eliminating credential storage simplifies audits and reduces risk.

Magic Links vs. Passkeys

Here’s how the two methods complement each other rather than compete:

Stage Magic Link Passkey
Use case First-time signup or device recovery Returning user login
UX Opens email → clicks link Biometric approval in 1 tap
Security Email-based token Hardware-bound cryptographic key
Fallback Works on every device Requires modern OS/browser

Business Impact

Implementing Passkeys on top of Magic Links compounds the benefits:

  • +25–35% faster login-to-activation rate for returning users.
  • –70% fewer support tickets related to “can’t log in.”
  • Zero password reset flows — nothing for users to forget or mistype.
  • Improved trust: users associate Passkey login with the same UX as Apple Pay.

Implementation Roadmap

Here’s a realistic rollout plan when extending a Magic Link system with Passkeys:

  1. Phase 1 — Setup: Add WebAuthn backend (e.g. @simplewebauthn/server or Auth0) alongside your existing auth stack.
  2. Phase 2 — Frontend: Implement navigator.credentials.create() and navigator.credentials.get() for supported browsers.
  3. Phase 3 — Dual Auth: Offer “Use Passkey” after a successful Magic Link login; store the credential binding for next time.
  4. Phase 4 — Gradual Adoption: Track adoption metrics and make Passkey login the default for returning users.

Real-World Example: E-commerce Flow

In the 5Hz Engine checkout experience, users register via Magic Link the first time they purchase. On the next visit, they simply unlock their account with Face ID — no email, no friction. This reduced repeat checkout time by 28% and increased returning user conversion by 25%.

Security and Compatibility

Passkeys are resistant to phishing and credential stuffing — each credential is domain-bound, meaning it can’t be reused on fake websites. They coexist perfectly with enterprise SSO or OAuth, forming a dual-auth structure: corporate users via SSO, everyone else via Passkeys.

Beyond 2025

By late 2025, browsers will prompt users to create Passkeys automatically. Password fields will look outdated, and signup/login flows will merge into one seamless biometric action. Products adopting Passkeys early will not only improve UX but also send a strong trust signal to their users.

Conclusion

Passkeys are not replacing Magic Links — they complete them. Magic Links onboard users; Passkeys keep them coming back. Together, they form the most reliable, secure, and user-friendly authentication stack for 2025 and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to common questions

Magic Links are used for registration and account verification — they onboard users via email. Passkeys are for returning users, enabling instant biometric login (Face ID, Touch ID, Windows Hello) without emails or passwords. Together they form a complete passwordless authentication stack.

No. Passkeys complement Magic Links. You still use Magic Links for first-time signups or when a user logs in from a new device. Passkeys handle fast, secure re-authentication for returning users.

Yes. Passkeys are domain-bound, which means they only work on the website where they were created. Even if a phishing site mimics your UI, the browser blocks key access because the domain doesn’t match.

Modern ecosystems like iCloud Keychain and Google Password Manager securely sync Passkeys across devices. If a user switches to a new device without sync enabled, the fallback Magic Link flow still allows login.

Absolutely. Passkeys can coexist with SSO (SAML, OAuth) setups. Enterprise users can continue using corporate SSO, while individual users authenticate with Passkeys — both methods operate independently.

Implementation typically takes 3–5 weeks. You can integrate WebAuthn via libraries like @simplewebauthn/server, Auth0, or Stytch. Passkeys build on your existing Magic Link or token-based architecture — no need for a full auth rewrite.

Products that add Passkeys on top of Magic Links typically see a 25–35% increase in returning-user logins, 60–70% fewer support tickets, and faster checkout or onboarding times by up to 30%.

Written by

Maksym Koval