Passwords fade as passkeys gain support from Apple, Google and Microsoft. See how passwordless login resists phishing and why 2026 could be a turning point.
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Passwords are steadily losing their status as the default way to protect accounts, and many now point to 2026 as a likely turning point. The reason is obvious: people still create weak combinations, reuse the same password across multiple services, and rarely stick to basic security rules. That keeps credential theft among the most common cyberthreats—and it’s hard to see that trend reversing on its own.
The numbers back it up. Verizon’s reports, cited by BODA.SU, consistently note that stolen logins and passwords remain a major driver of data breaches. In DBIR 2025, only about 3% of compromised passwords met baseline complexity requirements. That doesn’t mean just 3% of all passwords are “good,” but it does show which kinds of credentials attackers most often end up with.
Against that backdrop, tech companies are pushing an alternative: passkeys. This passwordless sign-in method lets people confirm their identity using biometrics, a PIN, or another local check on their device. It relies on public–private key cryptography: a public key stays with the service, while the private key remains with the user and isn’t sent over the network.
Phishing resistance is one of passkeys’ standout strengths. The keys are bound to a specific site, so they won’t work on a fake login page that a scammer might lure someone into. Unlike passwords, you can’t just “type them” anywhere.
Big ecosystems are already leaning in. Microsoft, Google, and Apple support passkeys at the operating system and account level, and Microsoft has made clear it is moving toward a passwordless model. In practice, that means rethinking familiar password flows and nudging users toward more modern sign-in methods.
That’s why 2026 keeps coming up in conversations. By then, passkey support will cover the major platforms and an expanding roster of popular services, creating the conditions for broader adoption. A full farewell to passwords is still unlikely: in many systems they remain the backup for device loss or sign-in hiccups. Pragmatically, that safety net seems here for a while.
Most likely, the next few years will be a transition. Passkeys will be used more and more, while passwords gradually shift into a secondary role. For everyday users, that should mean fewer convoluted strings to memorize and a simpler way to get into accounts—not an overnight break with passwords, but a clear step in that direction.