Recent reports suggest that Android 14 will remove passwords for unlocking smartphones

According to recent news, Google is getting rid of passwords on smartphones with the Android 14 update. After the official rollout, mobile devices running the operating system will switch to a password to improve security.

Passwords are some of the weakest forms of security these days that come with almost every smartphone. They are the easiest to crack and don’t require extensive hacking or programming skills, thanks to some malicious software that can be downloaded from the Internet.

Android 14 puts an end to password issues with passkey support for third-party apps

🚨 Android 14 to end password problems with passkey support for third party apps https://t.co/NZYzkIPLtd

It’s worth noting that Google is yet to shed any light on this recent update. The company generally saves such major changes to their operating system to announce them at the end, preferably at the Google I/O event in the summer.

However, the shift from passwords to passkeys is expected to be gradual. Since it represents a significant change in how users interact with their devices, some custom versions of Android, such as Xiaomi’s MIUI and Samsung’s OneUI, may not integrate this year.

How do passkeys work in Android 14 to improve security measures?

Passkeys are much more secure than regular passwords. According to system security company Dashlane, there are generally two types of access keys. They are:

1. Public access keys stored in the cloud and used for online authentication.
2. Private keys that are stored in the respective devices and used as a second security measure.

Dashlane associates the public and private keys on a respective device before granting access to information as set by the user. This reduces the risk of data theft. According to the company, this approach has far fewer vulnerabilities in phishing attacks.

Currently, services like Dashlane cannot natively support their entire security suite on Android devices due to a lack of built-in passkey support; however, with the upcoming update, users will benefit from increased security.

Google is also expected to include some form of passkey support through their cloud service. Consequently, devices running Android 14 will be equated with iPhones. Apple has already integrated such technology into their devices.

How to access Android 14 today?

Android 14 will arrive on smartphones later this year. The Mountain View-based company’s new open-source operating system is currently in developer preview. After almost half a year of beta testing, the operating system is publicly launched.

The Android 14 update is only available on some Google Pixel phones in the Developer Preview 1 phase. The operating system will enter a second developer preview phase later this month. Users who want to check out the latest operating system should opt for one of the following smartphones:

1. Google Pixel 4a 5G
2. Google Pixel 5
3. Google Pixel 5a
4. Google Pixel 6
5. Google Pixel 6 Pro
6. Google Pixel 6a
7. Google Pixel 7
8. Google Pixel 7 Pro

Overall, Android 14 is shaping up to be a solid smartphone OS. While the update does not involve a significant UI redesign, the company takes security features very seriously and is working to add as many features as possible.