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Posted on • Originally published at corbado.com

Cross-Device Passkey Sync Between Web, iOS, Android App

In an era where digital security is paramount, the introduction of passkeys as a new authentication method represents a significant advancement. Passkeys, an evolution beyond traditional passwords, offer a more secure and user-friendly way to access accounts across different platforms. This guide summarizes a detailed walkthrough on implementing passkey sharing across various platforms, focusing on Flutter (iOS/Android), Vue.js, and Golang.

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The Essence of Cross-Platform Passkey Sharing

Passkeys, a step beyond WebAuthn, allow for synchronization and sharing across different devices and ecosystems, enhancing user experience and security. Unlike traditional methods, passkeys leverage cryptographic keys, eliminating the need for remembering complex passwords and reducing the risk of phishing attacks.

Prerequisites for a Unified Ecosystem

Before diving into passkey sharing, a foundational understanding of native and web app development, along with a grasp of passkeys and WebAuthn, is crucial. This ensures a smooth implementation process across the board. Tools and technologies such as Flutter, Vue.js and Golang are integral to this setup, each playing a vital role in the architecture of a cross-platform passkey sharing application.

Architectural Overview and Implementation

The architecture for cross-platform passkey sharing involves a Golang backend, Vue.js web app, and Flutter native app. Key to this setup is the unified Relying Party ID, ensuring seamless authentication data availability across web and native applications. Additionally, association files like the apple-app-site-association and assetlinks.json are pivotal in linking native apps with web apps, enabling passkey usage across different platforms.

Vue.js and Flutter: A Practical Approach

The implementation provide insights into setting up the Vue.js web app and Flutter native app, highlighting the simplified setup with the Corbado UI component and the corbado_auth package, respectively. These components facilitate the integration process, ensuring a smooth passkey authentication flow across devices.

Challenges and Solutions

Despite the straightforward process of passkey sharing, potential challenges such as local testing issues, defining the correct Relying Party ID, and choosing between Native vs. WebView implementations may arise. This guide offers troubleshooting tips and lessons learned to navigate these hurdles effectively.

Conclusion: A Step Towards Secure and Simplified Authentication

This guide offers a comprehensive overview of implementing passkey sharing across different platforms, from architectural foundations to practical setup steps. While some technical details and insights have been reserved for those seeking a deeper dive, the essence of cross-platform passkey sharing has been captured, emphasizing its significance in enhancing digital security and user experience.

For developers and product managers looking to integrate passkey technology into their systems, delving into the full details and additional insights available on the Corbado blog is highly recommended. Discover more about the intricacies of passkey sharing and its implications for your platforms by visiting Corbado’s Blog on Passkey Sharing.

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