Understanding and Setting Up Passkeys on GEDmatch

Understanding and Setting Up Passkeys on GEDmatch

Passkeys are a newer, simpler way to log in to your GEDmatch account. Instead of typing a password and then approving an MFA notification, you can log in with just your fingerprint, Face ID, or a password manager. It’s faster, easier, and more secure than a traditional password.

What Is a Passkey?

A passkey is a digital key that’s stored securely on your device or in a password manager. When you log in, your device proves your identity without ever sending a password over the internet. Think of it like a house key that only works when you’re holding it — no one can copy it or use it remotely.

Passkeys are built on industry-standard technology supported by Apple, Google, and Microsoft. They’re designed to replace passwords entirely, making your account both easier to access and harder for others to break into.

Why Use a Passkey?

•       Faster logins: No password to type, no code to enter, no notification to approve. Just your fingerprint or Face ID.

•       More secure: Passkeys can’t be guessed, stolen in a data breach, or tricked by phishing emails. They only work on the real GEDmatch website.

•       Nothing to remember: Your device handles everything. No more forgotten passwords.

•       Works across devices: Depending on where you save your passkey, it can sync across your phone, tablet, and computer.

Before You Start

You must set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) first. Passkey setup is offered after you’ve completed MFA enrollment. If you haven’t set up MFA yet, see our guide: How to Set Up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on GEDmatch.

You’ll also need a device that supports passkeys. Most modern devices do:

•       iPhone: iOS 16 or later (iPhone 8 and newer)

•       iPad: iPadOS 16 or later

•       Mac: macOS Ventura (13) or later, using Safari or Chrome

•       Windows: Windows 10 or later, using Chrome or Edge

•       Android: Android 9 or later, using Chrome

•       Password managers: 1Password, Dashlane, and others that support passkey storage

How to Set Up Your Passkey

Step 1: Complete MFA Setup

After you finish setting up MFA (Auth0 Guardian, Google Authenticator, or a security key), GEDmatch will automatically ask if you’d like to create a passkey.

If you skipped this step earlier, you can set up a passkey from your Profile settings (see “Managing Your Passkey” below).

A screenshot of a screen AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Step 2: Choose Where to Save Your Passkey

When you click “Set up passkey,” your device will show a dialog asking where to save it. What you see depends on your device and browser:

•       On iPhone/iPad: Your passkey is saved to iCloud Keychain. You’ll confirm with Face ID or Touch ID. The passkey will automatically be available on your other Apple devices signed into the same iCloud account.

•       On Mac (Safari): Saved to iCloud Keychain, confirmed with Touch ID or your Mac password.

•       On Mac/Windows (Chrome): Chrome may offer to save to your Google account, your browser profile, or a connected password manager like 1Password. Choose the option that works best for you.

•       On Windows (Edge): You may be prompted to use Windows Hello (fingerprint, face recognition, or PIN).

•       With a password manager (1Password, Dashlane, etc.): If you have a compatible password manager installed, it may offer to store the passkey. This is a good option if you use multiple devices across different platforms.

Example screenshots:

1Password password manager

A screenshot of a computer AI-generated content may be incorrect.

 

 

Brave Browser

A screenshot of a device registration AI-generated content may be incorrect.

 

Step 3: Confirm with Biometrics or PIN

Your device will ask you to verify your identity to create the passkey. Depending on your device, this means:

•       Scanning your fingerprint (Touch ID or Windows Hello)

•       Using Face ID

•       Entering your device PIN or password

•       Confirming in your password manager

Step 4: You’re Done

That’s it. Your passkey is saved and ready to use the next time you log in.

Logging In with Your Passkey

Once your passkey is set up, here’s what logging in looks like:

•       Go to www.gedmatch.com and enter your email address

•       Your device will offer to log you in with your passkey

•       Confirm with your fingerprint, Face ID, or password manager

•       You’re logged in — no password, no MFA step

Your password and MFA method still work as a backup. If your passkey isn’t available (for example, you’re on a different device), you can always fall back to your password and MFA.

A screenshot of a login form AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Managing Your Passkey

You can manage your passkey from your GEDmatch profile:

•       Log in to GEDmatch

•       Navigate to your Profile settings

•       Find the MFA section

From here you can:

•       Remove a passkey: If you want to remove your passkey, you can delete it from this screen. You’ll continue to log in with your password and MFA method. You can set up a new passkey at any time.

A screenshot of a computer AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Note: Your passkey is also stored on your device or in your password manager. If you want to fully remove a passkey, you should delete it from both GEDmatch and your device’s passkey storage (iCloud Keychain, Chrome settings, 1Password, etc.).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I still need my password after setting up a passkey?

Your password isn’t deleted — it remains as a backup. If you’re on a device that doesn’t have your passkey, you can still log in with your password and MFA. We recommend keeping your password active as a fallback.

Can I use my passkey on multiple devices?

It depends on where your passkey is saved. If it’s saved in iCloud Keychain, it syncs across all your Apple devices. If it’s saved in a password manager like 1Password, it’s available wherever that password manager is installed. If it’s saved only in your browser on one computer, it will only work on that computer.

What if I get a new phone or computer?

If your passkey is synced through iCloud Keychain or a password manager, it will transfer to your new device automatically when you sign into the same account. If not, you can log in with your password and MFA, then create a new passkey from your profile.

What’s the difference between a passkey and MFA?

MFA adds a second verification step after your password (like approving a notification on your phone). A passkey replaces your password entirely — you log in with just your fingerprint, Face ID, or password manager. You need MFA set up before you can create a passkey, and MFA remains your backup login method.

Is a passkey safe? What if someone steals my phone?

Passkeys are very secure. Even if someone has your phone, they can’t use your passkey without your fingerprint, Face ID, or device PIN. The passkey itself is encrypted and stored in a secure area of your device that apps and websites can’t directly access.

I don’t have fingerprint or Face ID on my computer. Can I still use a passkey?

Yes. Some passkey setups let you confirm with a PIN or your device password instead of biometrics. You can also use a password manager like 1Password to store and use your passkey. Another option: some browsers let you use your phone’s passkey to log in on your computer by scanning a QR code with your phone.

Can I set up a passkey without setting up MFA first?

No. GEDmatch requires MFA to be set up before you can create a passkey. This ensures you always have a backup login method if your passkey isn’t available.

I chose “Remind me later” for the passkey setup. How do I set it up now?

Log out of your GEDmatch account and log back in. After you provide your MFA, you will be asked to setup a passkey.

Need Help?

If you run into any issues with passkey setup, contact our support team by submitting a ticket through this portal. We’re happy to walk you through it.

    • Related Articles

    • Setting Up MFA with Google Authenticator on GEDmatch

      Google Authenticator is a free app that generates one-time security codes on your phone. When you log in to GEDmatch, you’ll enter your password and then type a 6-digit code from the app. The code changes every 30 seconds, so it can’t be reused by ...

    • How to Set Up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on GEDmatch

      Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your GEDmatch account. After entering your password, you’ll verify your identity through a second method — like approving a notification on your phone. This means that even if someone ...

    • Using a Password Manager for MFA on GEDmatch

      If you don’t have a smartphone, or prefer to keep everything on your computer, you can use a password manager to handle multi-factor authentication (MFA) on GEDmatch. Many password managers include a built-in authenticator that generates the same ...

    • How to Use GEDmatch DNA Matching Tools (One-to-Many, One-to-One, Segment Search)

      Before You Begin To use GEDmatch's matching tools, you need: 1. A GEDmatch account with at least one uploaded DNA kit. 2. Your kit must have finished processing (typically 24–48 hours after upload). If your kit is still processing, matching tools ...

    • Does GEDmatch conduct DNA testing?

      GEDmatch does not perform DNA testing. GEDmatch is a comparison and analysis platform. You must first obtain a DNA test from a testing company (such as AncestryDNA, 23andMe, FTDNA, or MyHeritage), download your raw data, and upload it to GEDmatch.