Google Chrome's recent update enhances the way users can access their Google Accounts across various devices. On Thursday, the technology company from Mountain View rolled out a feature that enables the addition of the Google Password Manager PIN across different operating systems including Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android. This improvement allows users to synchronize their passkeys between their desktops and Android devices, with an announcement that support for iOS is forthcoming.

The tech firm made a statement detailing that the Google Password Manager now supports functionality across various operating systems. Previously, this feature was restricted to Android devices, where users had the option to either enter a PIN code or utilize a screen lock pattern for convenient access to their Google Account.

To facilitate easier access, while it remains necessary for users to use their Android devices to configure the screen lock pattern, they can now also set up a PIN code. This allows for both the PIN and pattern to be utilized for account access across multiple devices. Importantly, this feature is being deployed on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android platforms, with ChromeOS also seeing availability in beta. Additionally, there are plans to introduce support for iOS shortly.

Users can create and utilize passkeys via the Password Manager, with the assurance that these PINs are encrypted with end-to-end security, ensuring that they remain inaccessible even to Google itself. When incorporating an account onto a fresh device, users will need to input either the PIN or the screen lock for Android devices.

Passkeys serve as a more secure alternative to traditional authentication methods such as SMS codes. Developed by the FIDO Alliance and supported by technology leaders like Apple, Google, and Microsoft, this system employs public key cryptography to form two key sets: one stored in the cloud and the other in the user’s possession. Authentication occurs when there is a match between both keys.