Entra ID Synced Passkeys End Passwords

Key insights

• Synced passkeys let users store passwordless credentials in the cloud and use them across devices.
  They complement device-bound keys to make signing in easier and more flexible.
• Passkey profiles replace the old tenant-wide FIDO2 settings and let admins apply different rules to different groups.
  This enables targeted policies for teams with different security needs.
• passkeyType controls whether accounts accept device-bound, synced, or both types of passkeys.
  Attestation settings determine whether synced passkeys are allowed or only device-bound keys are permitted.
• Synced passkeys boost performance and reliability: sign-ins can take about 3 seconds vs. 69 seconds for passwords plus MFA.
  Registration and sign-in success rates are much higher compared with legacy methods.
• The move to passkeys improves security and the user experience by removing passwords and relying on strong cryptographic credentials.
  Organizations get enterprise-grade protection without complex user steps.
• Microsoft plans general availability in March 2026 with automatic enablement following April–May 2026 for tenants that don’t opt in early.
  Admins should review and configure passkey profiles before automatic rollout.

Introduction

In a recent YouTube video, Andy Malone [MVP] walks viewers through Microsoft’s latest identity feature, focusing on Synced Passkeys and related admin controls in Microsoft Entra ID. The video combines a practical setup demonstration with discussion of user experience, and it clearly aims to help IT teams and administrators get started quickly. For newsroom readers, the session serves as both a primer on new passwordless tools and a practical how-to for early adopters. As such, the video is useful whether you manage identity in a small organization or at enterprise scale.

Andy frames the feature within Microsoft's broader push toward passwordless authentication and contrasts the new model with legacy approaches such as passwords and older FIDO2 device-bound keys. He structures the recording to move from background to admin configuration and then to user-facing flows, which helps viewers follow the end-to-end process. The timecodes in the video also let administrators skip to the specific segments that matter, including setup and user sign-in demonstrations. Overall, the presentation balances conceptual context with hands-on instruction.

What the Video Covers

First, the presenter gives background on passkeys and explains their role in replacing passwords with cryptographic credentials tied to user devices or cloud storage. Next, Andy demonstrates how to configure passkey profiles in Entra ID, showing the steps administrators must take to allow either device-bound or synced passkeys. The video then shifts to the user experience, where he walks through registering a passkey and signing in, exposing the differences between local keys and synchronized keys across devices. Finally, he summarizes the results and key takeaways for IT teams considering the change.

The instructional segment emphasizes practical details such as attestation behavior, enforcement options, and how the new passkeyType setting affects what end users can register. Importantly, the demo makes clear how group-based profiles can apply different rules for different sets of users. This approach contrasts with the older one-size-fits-all tenant-level settings and helps administrators plan phased rollouts. Viewers get a sense of the admin console steps and the immediate user benefits to expect after configuration.

New Features and Technical Notes

The video highlights two core innovations: synchronized passkeys stored in the cloud and granular passkey profiles for group-based policies. Synchronized passkeys let users access the same credential across multiple devices, while device-bound keys remain locked to a single device and require separate registration on each device. In addition, the passkeyType property gives admins explicit control over which options are permitted, allowing flexible mixes of both models depending on security posture. These options allow organizations to tune settings to balance user convenience and risk tolerance.

Andy also explains attestation implications: when attestation enforcement is enabled, the system may restrict registrations to device-bound keys to meet higher assurance requirements. Conversely, if attestation enforcement is relaxed, admins can allow synced passkeys by default, simplifying enrollment. The presentation makes clear that these technical choices affect both security guarantees and user convenience, and the demo shows how settings change real-world behavior. For technical teams, that clarity is helpful when drafting internal policies and deployment plans.

Benefits and Observed Metrics

Throughout the video, Andy references reported performance and success metrics that support adoption, noting that signed-in time can drop substantially with synced passkeys. He highlights that some measured scenarios show dramatically faster sign-in times and higher registration success rates compared with legacy authentication and multi-factor combinations. These improvements promise reduced helpdesk burdens and fewer account recovery requests, which is appealing for IT budgets and end-user productivity. The video frames these gains as a major driver for organizations to adopt the new model.

Moreover, Andy underscores that eliminating passwords reduces a common attack vector and simplifies compliance with modern security standards. At the same time, he notes that synced passkeys still rely on strong cryptographic protection and cloud-based key management to preserve security. The demonstration shows that, when configured properly, organizations can combine high usability with robust protection without resorting to legacy MFA methods that are often less secure or more cumbersome. This balance is central to the value proposition Microsoft presents.

Tradeoffs and Deployment Challenges

Andy does not shy away from tradeoffs, pointing out that convenience can introduce new operational questions, such as how to handle lost devices or forensic needs. Syncing keys to the cloud improves usability but raises considerations for incident response and regulatory constraints, especially in environments with strict data residency or attestation requirements. Administrators must therefore weigh the benefits of easier recovery and cross-device use against their organization’s compliance obligations and threat model. The video encourages teams to plan policies that reflect these tradeoffs.

Another challenge Andy highlights is the management overhead of creating and maintaining multiple passkey profiles for different groups. While profiles provide needed flexibility, they also increase configuration complexity and the potential for misconfiguration. The demo recommends staged rollouts and careful monitoring to mitigate mistakes during transition. In short, the feature gives administrators powerful controls, but those controls come with responsibility to test and document settings thoroughly.

Rollout Timeline and Practical Advice

Finally, Andy summarizes practical steps for teams preparing to enable synced passkeys, advising administrators to pilot with a small group and to verify attestation and recovery flows before broad deployment. He also recommends updating helpdesk playbooks and user guidance so end users understand registration and recovery options. Given the implications for security and user experience, this phased approach reduces risk and helps organizations refine policies based on real-world feedback. Ultimately, the video serves as a concise roadmap for moving toward modern passwordless authentication.

Keywords

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