How Authsignal’s passkey uplift flow solves the password problem

Passwords are broken. You know it, your users know it, and cyber attackers definitely know it. Yet we are here in 2025, still watching users create “xyz@1234” and wondering why security breaches keep happening.

Passkeys have everything we've ever wanted: stronger security check, better user experience check, and protection against phishing attacks check. But there's a challenge. How do you get millions of users to abandon their familiar, even if flawed, password habits?

This is where Authsignal’s passkey uplift flow comes in.

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The password problem won’t fix itself

Most apps add multi-factor authentication to fix the password security hole. It works, but it also creates friction. Users don’t like the extra steps and waiting for SMS codes.

Passkeys fix this completely. They’re simple, phishing-resistant, and supported across all major devices and ecosystems. The technology is ready, infrastructure is already there but adoption is still not as easy. Your users need help making the transition. They need education, encouragement and smooth path from their old habits to better security.

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How Authsignal eases passkey adoption

Instead of forcing users to choose between passwords and passkeys, you can progressively uplift them without disrupting their existing login experience.

Authsignal first checks if a passkey is available for the user. If one exists, great. The user logs in with their passkey and gets that smooth, secure experience. If not, the system falls back to their existing authentication method, then encourages them to set up a passkey for next time.

This creates a frictionless path to adoption. Users don't lose access to their accounts. They don't face sudden changes that confuse or frustrate them. Instead, they get to experience the benefits of passkeys firsthand and naturally want to use them more.

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Getting users to say yes

The key to successful uplift is timing and presentation. Authsignal lets you control exactly when users see the passkey setup prompt with the help of actions. You can integrate this with your existing authentication flow through our prebuilt ui, with complete control over customization to match your app’s design and user journey.

Some teams show the prompt immediately after login. Others wait for specific user actions or milestones. You can even adjust the frequency, showing the prompt more often to users who haven't set up a passkey yet, then backing off once they've seen it a few times.

We've seen adoption rates as high as sixty percent with this approach. That's massive when you consider how resistant users typically are to changing their login habits. The solution is removing friction from both the setup process and the ongoing experience. Users try passkeys once and realize they're faster and easier than typing passwords. That positive experience drives organic adoption.

Checkout our passkey best practices UI kit for proven patterns and components that drive adoptions.

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Enabling passkey uplift in Authsignal portal

In the Authsignal Admin Portal, open an action and head to Settings, then Passkey Settings. Turn on the passkey uplift prompt.

If you're using our prebuilt UI, you can control the frequency through your Authenticators settings. Choose whether users see the prompt at every challenge or less often. Have the right balance between encouraging adoption and respecting user choice.

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Gradually build towards passwordless

The uplift prompt is just the start of your journey towards a completely passwordless future. Each user who adopts passkeys gets you one step closer to eliminating passwords entirely from your authentication flow.

Here's how the path unfolds gradually: First, you implement the uplift flow and start converting users slowly. As adoption grows, you can begin prioritizing passkey authentication over old methods. Eventually, you reach a point where passwords become the fallback option rather than the primary choice.

Once you hit critical mass, the benefits compound. Password recovery becomes unnecessary, and phishing attacks start failing. Your entire security setup improves while enhancing the user experience, too.

Authsignal's passkey uplift flow gives you that strategy. It combines the security benefits of passkeys with the gradual adoption approach that actually works in the real world.