This article is about passkeys and how to use them with your Google Ads account.
Refer to the Passkey Support external help center to learn about more in-depth passkey setup details and troubleshooting.
On this page
- Benefits of using a Google Ads account passkey
- Google Ads passkey requirements
- How to use Google Ads account passkey
- Fix a problem with a lost or missing passkey
Benefits of using a Google Ads account passkey
You can use passkeys as a simple and secure alternative to passwords. Unlike passwords, passkeys can’t be shared, copied, written down, or accidentally given to someone else. This makes them more secure against phishing. You’ll need a passkey when performing a small set of sensitive actions within your Google Ads account such as making account linking updates or user access changes.
Google Ads passkey requirements
Supported devices
- A computer that runs at least Windows 10, macOS Ventura, ChromeOS 109, or up
- A phone that runs Android 9, iOS 16, or up
- A hardware security key that supports the FIDO2 protocol
Supported browsers
- Chrome 109 or up
- Safari 16 or up
- Edge 109 or up
- Firefox 122 or up
Before you create and use a passkey:
- Turn on your phone’s screen lock.
- Turn on Bluetooth to use a passkey on a phone to sign in to another computer.
- Turn on iCloud Keychain for iPhone, iPad, and macOS devices.
- When you set up a passkey, it prompts you to turn on iCloud Keychain if not set up already. Learn how to set up iCloud Keychain.
How to use Google Ads account passkey
Set up passkeys for your Google Ads account
Set up a passkey now to ensure your workflow remains seamless.
- Go to g.co/passkeys.
- Select Create a Passkey to login to the Security Key Manager.
- Create a passkey by following the steps provided by your device.
Sign in to Google Ads with a passkey
- In the Google Ads login page, select the username field.
- Note: A list of passkeys will be displayed after selecting the username field.
- Select a passkey you’d like to use among the list.
- If you previously created a passkey on the device, follow the prompts to verify your identity.
- Note: To unlock the device and verify your identity, follow the on-screen passkey instructions provided by your operating system and browser.
- In the 7 day period: You can still use and access your account but you won’t be allowed to complete sensitive actions unless you verify it’s you.
- After the 7 day period: You can access the relevant sensitive action.
What actions will require a passkey
Passkey will be required for a small set of sensitive actions within your Google Ads account such as making account linking updates or user access changes.
Fix a problem with a lost or missing passkey
How to remove a passkey on a lost or stolen device
Remove a passkey you created
- On a device you’re able to access, sign in to your Google Account.
- Select Security & sign-in.
- Under "How you sign in to Google," select Passkeys and security keys.
- Select the passkey you want to remove.
- Select Remove.
How to fix a passkey that doesn't show up at sign in
If you have a passkey on your account that doesn’t show up when you sign in:
- Check if the device with the passkey has screen lock turned on.
- Note: If your device's screen lock is off, you can’t use the passkey on that device until you turn it on.
- Go to your Google Account Security & Sign in.
- Check if you turned on “Skip password when possible.”
To sign in without a passkey, select Try another way. This lets you skip the passkey option and go back to your earlier sign in choices.
