Global Passkey Usage Hits 7 Billion Milestone
The FIDO Alliance reports that 7 billion passkeys are now active as passwordless security becomes the industry standard.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Cybersecurity
Live Poll
Do you trust passkeys to protect your online accounts better than traditional passwords?
The FIDO Alliance estimates that 7 billion passkeys are currently in use worldwide, according to its newly released 2026 Passkey Index. The data highlights a significant shift as adoption grows to protect against phishing.
Why it matters
Passkey adoption is intended to reduce the frequency of phishing incidents by moving organizations away from traditional passwords. FIDO released new guidance to help companies transition from merely offering these credentials to making them the default for users.
The 2026 Passkey Index shows 42 percent of eligible accounts currently have a passkey enrolled, while one third of all successful sign-ins now utilize the technology. Starlink has officially added support, allowing a maximum of 10 passkeys per account.
The players
FIDO Alliance
The FIDO Alliance is an open industry association launched to develop and promote authentication standards that help reduce reliance on passwords.
Zumigo
Zumigo is a technology company that recently received FIDO2 Server Certification for its InstaAuth product.
Starlink
Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX that has recently implemented support for passkey authentication.
The details
The FIDO Passkey Rubric now provides a standardized checklist for creators and managers to improve sign-in processes, while Silent Network Authentication helps facilitate creation by confirming user control of a phone number. Nine out of 13 organizations surveyed indicate plans to transition fully to passwordless authentication.
Timeline
October 2026: The FIDO Alliance released the 2026 Passkey Index.
The Tech Race
The rapid growth of passkeys marks a fundamental shift away from legacy credential systems that have defined digital security for decades. This transition positions security providers and platforms in a race to replace vulnerable password infrastructures with FIDO-certified authentication.
Users can expect more platforms to offer or mandate passkey sign-ins, which significantly simplifies the login process by removing the need to remember complex strings. This transition requires users to maintain control of their registered devices to ensure seamless access to their accounts.
The takeaway
As passkeys become the default security standard, users should prioritize enabling them on every supported account to minimize exposure to phishing. Adopting this technology improves both account protection and the convenience of daily digital sign-ins.
Further reading
For more context on how industry standards are evolving, visit our Cybersecurity section.
Live Poll
Do you trust passkeys to protect your online accounts better than traditional passwords?
