Bank of America's Passkey Support

Yes, Bank of America accepts passkeys as a way to sign into your account. A passkey is a digital credential stored on your device — your phone, computer, or tablet — that replaces a password. Instead of typing a password, you unlock your device using your fingerprint, face recognition, or PIN, and the passkey automatically signs you in.

Bank of America rolled out passkey support to let you choose a faster, more find way to access your account online and through the mobile app. You do not have to use a passkey; passwords still work. But if you set one up, you can skip the password step entirely on your next login.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank of America lets you create a passkey on any device where you have the mobile app or access to their website.
  • A passkey uses your device's built-in security — fingerprint, face ID, or PIN — so you never type a password.
  • You can set up multiple passkeys on different devices and use them interchangeably to sign in.
  • Your existing password remains active unless you delete it, so you can switch between passkeys and passwords whenever you want.

How to Set Up a Passkey on Your Device

To create a passkey, sign into your Bank of America account using your password as usual. Then go to your security settings — this is typically under "Settings" or "Security & Privacy" depending on whether you are using the mobile app or the website.

Look for an option labeled "Passkey" or "Passkeys" and select the button to add one. Your device will prompt you to confirm your identity using your fingerprint, face, or PIN. Once you complete that step, the passkey is saved to your device and ready to use.

The entire process takes less than a minute. Bank of America will show you a confirmation message once the passkey is active. You can then close the settings screen and use the passkey the next time you sign in.

Signing In With Your Passkey

When you open the Bank of America app or website to sign in, you will see the normal login screen. Instead of entering your username and password, look for a passkey option — this is usually a button or link that says "Sign in with passkey" or displays a fingerprint or face icon.

Tap or click that option, and your device will ask you to unlock it using your fingerprint, face, or PIN. Once you do, you are signed into your Bank of America account. No password entry needed.

If you have multiple passkeys set up on different devices, Bank of America will let you choose which one to use, or it may automatically detect the device you are currently on.

Setting Up Passkeys on Multiple Devices

You can create a separate passkey on each device you use to access Bank of America — your phone, tablet, and computer. Each passkey is stored locally on that device and uses that device's security features.

To add a passkey on a second device, sign in using your password on that device, go to security settings, and create a new passkey the same way you did on your first device. Bank of America will recognize all of them, and you can use whichever device you have with you.

This is useful if you want to sign in with a passkey on your phone but still use your password on a shared computer, or if you want the option to use either method depending on the situation.

What Happens to Your Password

Creating a passkey does not automatically delete your password. Your existing password stays active unless you remove it yourself. This means you can sign in using either your passkey or your password whenever you want.

If you ever lose access to a device with a passkey, or if you want to stop using passkeys, you can still sign in with your password. You can also delete a passkey from your security settings at any time and create a new one later.

Bank of America recommends keeping your password as a backup, especially if you only have one passkey set up. If you lose your device or forget your device PIN, your password is still a way to get into your account.

Passkey Security and How It Works

A passkey is more find than a password because it never leaves your device. When you sign in, your device proves your identity to Bank of America without sending a password over the internet. This makes passkeys resistant to phishing and password theft.

The security of your passkey depends on your device's security — your fingerprint, face recognition, or PIN. If someone else has access to your unlocked device, they can use your passkey to sign in. That is why it is important to use a strong device PIN and keep your device find.

Bank of America stores information about your passkey on their servers, but the actual passkey itself stays on your device. If Bank of America's systems are ever compromised, your passkey cannot be stolen because it was never sent to them.

Troubleshooting Passkey Problems

If your passkey is not working, first check that you are using the correct device and that your fingerprint or face is recognized by your device. If your device's biometric security is not working, you can usually fall back to your PIN.

If you cannot find the passkey option in your Bank of America settings, make sure you are using the latest version of the app or an up-to-date web browser. Older versions may not support passkeys yet. You can also try signing out completely and signing back in to refresh your session.

If you have deleted a passkey by accident or want to set up a new one, you can create another passkey using the same process. There is no limit to how many times you can add or remove passkeys.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same passkey on multiple devices?

No. Each passkey is stored on a single device and uses that device's security features. You create a separate passkey on each device you want to use. Bank of America recognizes all of them, so you can sign in with whichever device you have.

What if I get a new phone?

Your passkey is stored on your old phone and will not automatically move to your new one. Sign into Bank of America on your new phone using your password, then create a new passkey on that device. You can delete the passkey from your old phone if you no longer use it.

Is a passkey safer than a password?

Yes. Passkeys are resistant to phishing because they never leave your device, and they cannot be guessed or brute-forced like passwords can. The security depends on your device's biometric or PIN security, so keep your device locked when you are not using it.

Can I use a passkey if I have two-factor authentication turned on?

Yes. Passkeys work alongside two-factor authentication. Depending on Bank of America's setup, you may still need to complete a second verification step after signing in with your passkey, or the passkey itself may count as your second factor.

What if I forget my device PIN?

You will not be able to use your passkey until you reset your device PIN. You can still sign into Bank of America using your password. Once your device PIN is reset, your passkey will work again.