Accessing your account with passkeys

What’s a passkey?

A passkey is a fast and secure way to log into Wealthfront without needing to enter a password and verification code. Instead, passkeys verify your identity using your device's built-in authentication method, like your fingerprint, face, or passcode.

With passkeys, your device or password manager creates and stores a private key that’s unique to a specific app or website. After you authenticate your identity on your device, the app or website securely logs you into your account.

How do I create or use a passkey?

You can create a passkey from your profile > Security > Passkeys.

Once you’ve created a passkey, your device may automatically prompt you to use it when logging in. If not, you can also select Continue with passkey from the login screen of the Wealthfront app or website.

How do I edit or delete a passkey?

To rename or delete passkeys that you’ve created, go to your profile > Security > Passkeys then select the passkey you’d like to edit.

After you delete a passkey from Wealthfront, make sure to also delete it from your password manager. This keeps you from trying to use an inactive passkey.

Why are passkeys more secure than a password?

Passkeys are generally considered more secure than traditional passwords because, unlike passwords, passkeys can’t be compromised by data breaches or phishing attempts (when a hacker pretends to be Wealthfront in order to collect your login credentials). 

Your unique passkey isn’t stored anywhere besides your device or password manager, so it’s not susceptible to breaches. And if you’re targeted by a phishing attempt, the imposter website won’t be able to gain access to your passkey.

Are passkeys required?

No, you’re not required to create a passkey or use it to log in. You can continue to log in using a password and verification code, even if you’ve created a passkey. 

Can I use a passkey across all my devices? 

Yes. When you create a passkey, you’ll select a password manager to add it to, such as your iCloud, Google, or 1Password account. You can then use the passkey to log into Wealthfront from any device that has access to that same password manager.

If you’re logging in from a device that doesn't have your password manager (for example, signing into the Wealthfront website from your work computer), the browser will show a QR code. Scan it with a phone that has access to your password manager to log in.

If you create a passkey for a hardware-based security key such as Yubikey, it will only work on the specific device attached to the key.

How is this different from using Face ID to log in?

Certain devices have the ability to log into accounts using your face or fingerprint (for example, using FaceID to log into accounts on your iPhone). This can use a similar authentication method as a passkey, but only works on that specific device. If you log into Wealthfront on another device, you’ll still need to use your password and verification code.

Passkeys are added to your password manager or hardware key, and can be used from any device that has access to it. 

Does using a passkey share biometric data, like my face or fingerprint, with Wealthfront?

No. With passkeys, your face or fingerprint is only used locally on your device, so Wealthfront never sees or stores it.

Which password managers and security keys work with Wealthfront passkeys?

You can use any passkey-enabled password manager or device-bound hardware key to create a Wealthfront passkey, such as Apple Passwords and iCloud Keychain, Google Password Manager, 1Password, and Yubikey.