Google is a multinational corporation and internet-related technology company, best known for its search engine. It's also a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. Google's primary revenue comes from advertising, specifically Google Ads, which displays ads alongside search results. Beyond the search engine, Google offers a wide range of services, including Gmail, YouTube, Google Maps, and various other products and services.

Once you have registered your FIDO2 key with Google, the key will be ready to be used as an authentication method when accessing your account;

Register your FIDO2 key in your Google account

Before you can use your FIDO2 key as an access method for your Google account you will need to register the key with Google using the following procedure;

  • Visit https://www.google.com/, and sign in to your Google account (using the button),

    Once logged in click on your user icon (top right), then click on the "Manage your Google Account" link;

    In the left hand menu column, click on the security menu option; 


    The central area of the window will now show your security settings, scroll down to the section "How to sign in to Google", then click on "Passkeys and security keys";

    The page will now change to show Passkey and security keys registered with your Google account, and this is where you will add your Fido2 key.

    Click on the "Create a passkey" link;

    On a Windows PC you will now be informed that a passkey cannot be created on this device, click on the "Use another device" button;

    A list of options for where the passkey can be stored will now be displayed.

    We will be storing the encryption keys locally on our Fido2 key, so click on "Security key", then click ; 

    You are now notified that access to google will be prepared with your Fido2 security key - click to proceed to the next step;

    Google will now ask permission to examine your Fido2 key, insert the key into a USB port then click ;

    At this point you will be asked to provide the PIN code that protects your Fido2 key;

    Enter the PIN code for your key then click , and you will be asked to touch the button on your key (if your model has a fingerprint reader you may be asked to provide a finger swipe instead);

    Provided you press the button on the Fido2 key in the allowed time, the passkey details will be stored on your Fido2 key, and you will be presented with the following confirmation;

    You will now see confirmation that the Fido2 key is now added as a passkey authentication method that can be used when logging in to your Google account;

    If you now return to your Google Account passkeys and security keys settings, you will find that the new FIDO2 security key has been added as a newly registered passkey;

Signing in to Google personal portals with your FIDO2 key

Once you have registered you FIDO2 key with Google the key will be ready to be used as an authentication method when accessing your account;

  • We will use Google.com as an example for logging in to a Google account with a registered Fido2 key (used as a passkey);

    In a web browser, navigate to google.com then click on the button;

    You first be asked to select which account you are going to sign in to, click on the account to be accessed;

    If the account is passkey protected, then you will be presented with a list of the available passkeys available to your account.

    Insert you Fido2 key into an available USB port then select "Security Key";

    Once Security key is selected click , and you will be asked for the PIN code for you Fido2 key;

    At the "Security key PIN" prompt, supply the PIN code for your Fido2 key then click ;

    You will now be asked to touch the Fido2 key (in the case of a Fido key with a fingerprint reader you will need to swipe your finger on the key);

    Provided you touch the key in the allowed time, you will be logged in to your Google account;


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