Starting May 3, 2023 (today), Google is integrating passkey support for Google Accounts. You will be able to create a passkey to “simplify the way you sign in” according to an email sent to eligible Google users.
According to Google, passkeys support will be integrated because they’re “easier to use” and safer than most other forms of 2-SV (two-step verification). This method of authentication will work on any devices where you have registered passkeys.
In other words, with this integration, you will be sign into a Google Account with just a passkey that uses your face, fingerprint, or screen lock in Apple iOS devices. You must turn on the option “Skip password when possible”, though. If that is turned off (which I do NOT recommend), you won’t have to enter a password to sign into your Google Account. My opinion is that this actually is not a good idea. It may make it “easier” for you to log into a Google Account, but:
If you lose your phone or Apple device, then it seems as if someone could potentially get into your Google account if a password is not required. I’m sure Google has tested this, and they are confident enough that turning on “skip password when possible” still keeps a Google Account secure.
How You Opt In to This
If you want to start using the passkeys support, you need to go to https://accounts.google.com/signinoptions/passkeys on your iPhone and click “Create a passkey” by December 1, 2023. After that, your built-in iPhone security key will automatically be removed from your account. Google says that you can change this anytime by turning off “Skip password when possible” on your Google Account security page.
I still highly recommend that you sign up for Google Advanced Protection, which is Google’s highest level of security for Google Accounts. I’ve seen way too many cases where Google Accounts (which are also tied to Gmail accounts) are hacked and accessed without permission.