Know where the credential is stored
FIDO distinguishes passkeys synced through a provider from credentials that remain on a device or security key. They use cryptographic credentials scoped to the relying service, improving resistance to credential phishing. This does not make every recovery path secure or establish compatibility with every browser and credential manager. Ask which kind your service supports.
The account inventory
| Field | Record before migration |
|---|---|
| Service | Exact account and supported sign-in methods |
| Credential provider | Where the passkey is stored and whether it syncs |
| Second device | A supported way to access the account if the main device is unavailable |
| Recovery | Provider recovery process and protection of recovery email or codes |
| Fallback | Whether passwords or other methods remain enabled and their risks |
Do not publish secret recovery codes in this sheet. Store only the fact that a recovery method exists and where you securely manage it. A shared device and a personal device also require different choices. Compatibility should be checked with the actual service and device rather than inferred from a common standard.
A small migration test
For a fictional personal account, first register a passkey through the service’s authentic settings. Test a new sign-in on a supported device while keeping the existing recovery method. Then review the account’s recovery instructions and device-loss procedure. Do not delete the only working credential merely because the first sign-in succeeded.
For a team, define account ownership, offboarding and administrator recovery before expanding enrolment. A smooth sign-in is one acceptance test; revocation, replacement-device access and recovery are separate ones. Record failures by service and device rather than treating one successful test as universal support.
Keep the security claim scoped
We did not measure sign-in speed, adoption or account-takeover reductions. Phishing-resistant authentication addresses a particular attack path; account recovery, session security and device protection remain relevant. Follow version-matched provider documentation when changing a security configuration.
Sources and scope
- FIDO Alliance, Passkeys — Explains cryptographic, phishing-resistant credentials and synced versus device-bound passkeys.
- NIST, Multi-Factor Authentication — Background on authentication factors; does not certify a particular account configuration.
Sources checked October 10, 2026. AI-assisted research and drafting. The examples, calculations and worksheets are Luminesca editorial work; they are not measured trials, first-hand reporting or an independent certification. Unsupported adoption totals, universal interoperability and login-success statistics have been removed. Report a specific correction with its source.