Passkey options?

Question

Let me start by saying I’m 84 and find change difficult.

once you enter the passkey system there is no way to get out of it.

I have been dealing with Amazon for years and suddenly I find that I do not have a passkey for this account. Whatever I do produces an invalid passkey and finally account locked out. I have now closed the Amazon account.

AI tells me all the things that I do not want to write!

whilst I appreciate that business requires one to move with the times, can consideration not be given to people who only want to send an Email, look something up or place an order on the internet !

Answer 1

Hi,

Thank you for sharing your question.

I completely understand how overwhelming these new security features can feel, especially when you have been comfortably using the same online services for years. It is frustrating to suddenly encounter a system that seems to lock you in without warning and then tells you the passkey you never set up is invalid.

Passkeys are designed to provide stronger protection by using device-based authentication instead of passwords, but they can create confusion if they are enabled unintentionally or if you use multiple devices that are not synchronized. When a passkey is created without your awareness or becomes out of sync, services may refuse to accept other login methods and even lock the account, which appears to be what happened in your case. To work around this, the best approach is usually to sign in through the “Try another way to sign in” option, remove or reset the passkey from your account security settings, and switch back to traditional methods like passwords or verification codes. Many services, including Amazon, allow customers to disable passkeys or choose a simpler sign‑in method once they regain access. If the account has been closed, companies can still help restore access if needed, and support teams can remove a passkey from your profile manually.

Before moving forward, may I ask if you are using a computer, tablet, or smartphone when trying to sign in, and whether you would prefer sticking with passwords instead of passkeys? I’m here to help you step by step, so please feel free to follow up with any details or questions, and we can work through the best option for you.”

 

I hope this helps.

 

Best Regards,

Noel

Answer 2

Passkeys are meant to make signing in easier and safer, but they can feel like a big change, especially when they appear suddenly.

For Microsoft accounts (used with Outlook, Microsoft 365, etc.), passkeys are an optional replacement for passwords. A passkey lets sign in using face, fingerprint, or a device PIN instead of typing a password. The important points for this situation are:

1. A Microsoft account still has a password Even if signing in with a passkey or biometrics, the account still has a normal password in the background. That password can still be used to sign in and to manage security settings.
2. It is possible to keep using a password instead of a passkey When a Microsoft sign-in page appears:
   1. Choose Sign-in options or Other ways to sign in.
   2. Select the option to use Password instead of Face, Fingerprint, PIN, or Security Key. This lets continue with the traditional password method.
3. Passkeys can be removed if they are confusing If a passkey was created for a personal Microsoft account and it is not wanted:
   1. Go to the Microsoft account Advanced Security Options page at https://account.live.com/proofs/manage.
   2. Under Ways to prove who you are, find any Face, Fingerprint, PIN, or Security Key entries that are listed as passkeys.
   3. Select each one that is not wanted and choose Remove. After that, sign-in will fall back to password and normal security codes.
4. If a passkey stops working or becomes “invalid” Sometimes a passkey becomes invalid (for example, after changing the PIN or biometrics on a device, or if the passkey was deleted from the account). In that case:
   1. Use another sign-in method offered on the page (password, email code, or SMS code).
   2. After signing in, remove any old passkeys that no longer apply.
   3. If desired, a new passkey can be created later, but this is optional.
5. Keeping things simple For someone who “only wants to send an email, look something up, or place an order,” the simplest approach with Microsoft services is:
   • Keep a written record of the Microsoft account email address and password in a safe place.
   • Use the password sign-in option instead of passkeys.
   • Avoid creating new passkeys or extra sign-in methods unless a trusted helper is available to set them up.

If at some point a passkey is created again and it causes trouble (for example, “this passkey can no longer be used” or “we couldn’t use your device to verify your identity”), sign in another way, then delete the passkey from the account’s security options so it no longer appears.

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References:

• Signing in with a passkey
• Troubleshoot signing in with a passkey
• Frequently asked questions about passkey support in Microsoft Authenticator
• Passkeys frequently asked questions (FAQ)
• Sign in with a passkey (FIDO2) for your work or school account
• Microsoft account has been locked
• Can't add telephone number to my Microsoft 365 account - Microsoft Q&A