Are passkeys shareable? A guide to passkey sharing and secure collaboration

Passkeys are gaining momentum as a modern, more convenient replacement for passwords. While they are simple, secure, and resistant to phishing, the ability to share passkeys was not something built in by design. And that can be a challenge for businesses that rely on shared access to applications and tools or families who need to log into the same services.

So, are passkeys shareable? The short answer is yes, when managed properly. Read on to learn more about passkeys, how they differ from passwords, and how teams and families can share passkeys without compromising security.

A passkey is a type of login credential built on a pair of cryptographic keys: a public key, stored on the website or app being used, and a private key, stored on the end-user’s device. For Bitwarden customers, that private key is stored in an end-to-end encrypted Bitwarden Vault. This ensures that saved passkeys remain protected in one secure location.

To log in, users simply authenticate with their device’s biometrics or through a PIN. This removes the need to create or remember passwords and reduces the risk of phishing or other social engineering designed to steal credentials via fake login pages or malicious links.

Because the private key is bound to the device, passkeys cannot be shared in the same way as a copied password. These cryptographic key pairs are what makes passkeys safer but also limits flexibility when multiple people need access.

Yes, passkeys can be shared, but not without the right platform. Native operating systems and browsers are starting to support synced passkeys across devices, but they do not provide a simple way to securely share passkeys with other trusted contacts. That’s because these systems are designed for personal use.

Synced passkeys for the same Google account, for instance, will move seamlessly between an individual user's Android device, iPad, and Windows PC, but they don’t extend beyond that account holder's devices. There’s no way to safely send a passkey to a family member or coworker without handing over the entire device login or relying on risky workarounds. They are convenient for individuals but impractical for families or organizations that need controlled, auditable sharing.

Passkeys are designed to stay locked to the device or platform where they are generated. This hardware-level protection is what makes them so resilient to theft or phishing. Unlike a password that can be pasted into a text file or emailed, the private key of a passkey never leaves its secure enclave.

This is why solutions such as Bitwarden are necessary. Bitwarden makes passkey sharing practical without breaking the underlying security model.

When a new passkey is created or saved, it can be stored directly in a Bitwarden Vault. Once inside, the passkey becomes available across all authorized devices, whether that’s a browser, desktop application, or mobile app. Centralizing passkeys this way not only streamlines access but also ensures they remain secure and recoverable if a device is lost or stolen.

Learn more about passkey management in Bitwarden.

Passkeys can be organized inside the vault just like passwords or other credentials. Users can update entries, attach notes, and group each passkey with related login information for each app or service.

Businesses can also enforce access policies in Bitwarden to manage passkeys and ensure consistent credential use across teams. For example, administrators can require two-step login for all members, control whether passkeys can be exported, and set standards for how and where credentials are stored. By standardizing these behaviors, companies reduce the risk of accidental data leaks and ensure that everyone follows the same security practices.

One of the biggest advantages of Bitwarden is the ability to share passkeys without weakening security. Families often want shared access to streaming platforms, online services, or school portals. Teams depend on shared logins for SaaS platforms, department tools, or client accounts.

By storing passkeys in a Bitwarden vault and managing vault items, users can share credentials safely, with end-to-end encryption ensuring that private keys are never exposed.

For end-users and families, this means everyone can log in with ease. For businesses, it gives administrators control to define who can access which passkeys, adjust permissions on demand, and revoke access.

To scale sharing securely, passkeys can be managed within a Bitwarden organization. A Bitwarden organization serves as the hub where administrators set up structure, assign permissions, and define sharing rules.

Collections can be created to group passkeys by family use case, project, or department. Members are granted access only to the collections they need, limiting unnecessary exposure. Permissions can be updated at any time, and revoked immediately when a group member leaves or changes roles.

For businesses, this framework also supports security policies that enforce consistency across teams. Families benefit from the same model on a smaller scale, sharing logins for tool portals or other apps and services while maintaining strong encryption and centralized control.

Sharing passkeys introduces new responsibilities for both families and organizations. To keep accounts safe, it is essential to apply structured security practices:

• Grant least-privilege access - Only provide access to the people who truly need it, and restrict permissions to the minimum required.  

• Monitor activity - Use vault logs to see when shared passkeys are accessed and by whom. Regular reviews help spot unusual behavior early.

• Rotate or revoke access promptly - When roles change, a device is lost, or a team member leaves, update or revoke access immediately.

Following these best practices ensures that passkey sharing remains both convenient and secure. While these practices enhance everyday security, auditing and compliance checks help organizations prove those controls formally.

For businesses, the ability to demonstrate proper controls is often as important as security itself. Regulatory frameworks such as SOC 2, HIPAA, and ISO 27001 require proof that sensitive data is being handled responsibly. That includes showing who has access to shared credentials and how that access is managed.

Bitwarden simplifies this by giving administrators visibility into vault activity and member access. Reports can be generated on demand, making it easier to document compliance during quarterly or annual audits.

This not only strengthens internal security but also ensures organizations can provide the evidence auditors and regulators require.

Passkeys are transforming authentication with stronger security and a smoother login experience. But because they are bound to individual devices, they are not naturally shareable. Bitwarden bridges that gap by enabling passkeys to be stored, managed, and shared securely across families and teams.

With Bitwarden, organizations and households alike gain:

• Centralized access - All shared passkeys live in one secure, searchable vault, helping households and organizations share access without risk.

• Granular control - Administrators and families can define who has access, adjust permissions instantly, and revoke them when needed.

• Cross-platform support - Shared passkeys work consistently across multiple platforms, operating systems, and devices.

• Continuity and recovery - Lost devices or departing team members no longer disrupt access, ensuring ongoing productivity and peace of mind.

These advantages extend well beyond convenience. For families, Bitwarden makes digital life easier. For businesses, it supports compliance and security standards while keeping pace with the shift to a passwordless future.

Bitwarden now supports logging in with passkeys and storing them in the encrypted vault. This makes it easier to adopt passkeys across accounts while retaining the flexibility to share securely.