Apple, Microsoft, and Google are working on a passwordless future

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The FIDO Alliance got a huge boost on Thursday as the tech giants pledged to expand support for passwordless sign-in.

Apple, Google, and Microsoft announced that all you’ll need is your smartphone to enjoy a passwordless future.

The three tech giants have said passwordless sign-in will work across all the desktop, mobile, and browser platforms they control.

That’s a large portion of modern technology, covering everything from laptops and desktops to smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches.

It also covers the most used operating systems, including Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS.

Also included are the three most used web browsers: Chrome, Edge, and Safari.

READ MORE: Google Chrome adds full support for passkeys

Once implemented, you’ll be able to use your smartphone as the authentication method for logging in to apps, websites, or other digital services.

A Google blog post has a more in-depth explanation, but all you need to know is you won’t need to remember passwords anymore.

Instead, all you’ll need is your smartphone. Each time you sign into a website or app, you’ll authenticate using your fingerprint on your phone.

Additional methods will also be available, including PIN codes, unlock patterns, and facial scans.

That’s it. No more remembering long, unique passwords. Or subscriptions to password managers. It also means you won’t have to change passwords in case of a breach; hackers would still need your physical device to log in.

Phishing attacks will be harder to pull off, as you won’t be typing in passwords anywhere. Microsoft already has passwordless support through its Microsoft Authenticator app.

I’ve been using it since it was available, and it even works when you set Windows up for the first time.

I can’t wait to ditch passwords on my other accounts as well. The future is (nearly) here, and it’s passwordless.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Joe Rice-Jones

Maker, meme-r, and unabashed geek with nearly half a decade of blogging experience at KnowTechie, SlashGear and XDA Developers. If it runs on electricity (or even if it doesn't), Joe probably has one around his office somewhere, with particular focus in gadgetry and handheld gaming. Shoot him an email at joe@knowtechie.com.