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What is Passkey Authentication?

Passkeys are a new way to sign in to apps and websites, using fast and secure biometric technology such as Touch ID and Face ID. A passkey can be used as a substitute for a conventional email username + password login method, or an additional method of authentication. So, after entering your email & password, a passkey can be used as a second step of authentication, instead of using an authentication app like Google Authenticator, or a one-time SMS code.

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Why should I use Two-Step Authentication like Passkeys?

ServiceM8 is continuing to support new and innovative account security measures in line with online security best practice and industry partners. Your ServiceM8 account contains your clients’ personal information, and sensitive business data (including your invoicing and payment details), making it a target for criminals. This is why ServiceM8 includes Two-Step Authentication (2SA), offering an additional layer of security to your ServiceM8 account. ServiceM8 now supports another easy way to improve your business’s protection against cyber criminals, with Passkey support. Either Two-Step Authentication or Passkeys can be activated and used as a second step, after entering your email & password, to authenticate access to your ServiceM8 account. This significantly improves your business’s protection against cyber criminals and others seeking unauthorised access to your ServiceM8 account. We recommend that all ServiceM8 customers activate ServiceM8’s Two-Step Authentication.

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Minimum System Requirements for Passkeys

Before you start, below are some minimum software and hardware requirements to use Sign in with Passkey:
  • Desktop computer: desktop computers and/or laptops that runs at least Windows 10, macOS Ventura, or ChromeOS 109 (or later) AND have bluetooth connectivity.
  • iPhone/iPad: iOS 16 (or later).
  • Web browser: Chrome 109, Safari 16, or Edge 109 (or later).
  • ServiceM8 app: the latest version of the ServiceM8 iOS app (11.0.10 or later)
  • Screen lock: on all computers, iPhones & iPads
  • iCloud Keychain: to store your Passkey, you’ll need to activate Keychain for your iCloud Account in your device’s Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > Passwords and Keychain.
  • ServiceM8 Two-Step Authentication (2SA): you must activate ServiceM8’s standard 2SA feature, before you can switch over to using Sign in with Passkey (instead of the 6-digit code).
When you have activated ServiceM8’s standard 2SA, and meet the minimum setup/system requirements for Sign in with Passkey, follow the steps below.

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How to activate Two-Step Authentication

TIP: skip this step if you’ve already activated ServiceM8’s Two-Step Authentication feature. Two Step Authentication must first be activated on your ServiceM8 account, in order to save and use Passkeys. NOTE: activation of 2SA is a one-way process for the Account Owner. You can choose to activate 2SA for the Account Owner only, or All Staff. However, once you activate 2SA, there’s no option to deactivate it for the Account Owner. To enable 2SA:
  1. In your Online Dashboard, go to Settings > ServiceM8 Account > Account Owner Settings > Two Step Authentication settings.
  2. Confirm your mobile/cell phone number.
  3. Enter the 6-digit code you should receive via push notification or SMS (text).
  4. If you haven’t already, set three Security Questions. These can be used as a backup when you don’t have access to your mobile phone.
  5. Choose whether to enable 2SA for the Account Owner only, OR All staff within the ServiceM8 account, then finalise the setup process.
For more information and guidance on activating ServiceM8 2SA, see this help article.

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How to activate Sign in with Passkey

TIP: you’ll need to activate ServiceM8’s Two Step Authentication (above) before you can use Passkeys. Once you’ve activated 2SA on your account, you can choose to switch to Passkey authentication. This means that after entering your email & password to log into ServiceM8, rather than waiting for an SMS/push notification code to arrive (i.e. the standard 2SA process), you can continue to Sign in with Passkey instead, using Face ID or Touch ID. When you have activated ServiceM8’s standard 2SA, and meet the minimum setup/system requirements for Sign in with Passkey, follow these steps to activate Passkeys on your ServiceM8 login: 1. Log out of the ServiceM8 iOS app, then sign back in. 2. Proceed to follow the standard 2SA process, and enter the 6-digit code you receive via push notification or SMS. Two-step authentication code entry screen 3. Upon entering your 2SA code, you’ll be prompted to save a passkey for your login to ServiceM8 — this passkey will be saved to your iCloud Keychain. You may be prompted to activate iCloud Keychain first, if you haven’t activated it already. Passkey save prompt on iPhone 4. Tap ‘Continue’ to save your ServiceM8 passkey with Face ID or Touch ID, then you’re done! Confirming passkey with Face ID

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How to Sign in with Passkey — iOS App

Once you’ve saved your ServiceM8 passkey, the next time you sign in to the ServiceM8 app, after entering your email and password, you’ll have the option to ‘Sign in to ServiceM8 with your saved passkey’ (instead of being prompted to enter a 6-digit code): Sign in with passkey option on iPhone Tap ‘Continue’ to authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID, and that’s it! Face ID authentication for passkey sign in

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How to Sign in with Passkey — Desktop

Once you’ve saved your ServiceM8 passkey, the next time you sign in to the Online Dashboard, after entering your email and password, you’ll have the option to ‘Sign in with Passkey’ (instead of being prompted to enter a 6-digit code): Sign in with Passkey option on desktop Tap ‘Continue’, and your web browser will present a pop-up with the option to “Use your passkey”: Browser passkey popup dialog Click “Use a phone or tablet” to generate a QR Code on screen: QR code for phone or tablet passkey Use your iPhone or iPad’s camera to scan the QR code: iPhone camera scanning passkey QR code Tap ‘Sign in with a passkey’ from the QR Code scan, wait for your devices to connect, then tap ‘Continue’ on your iPhone or iPad: Confirming passkey sign in on iPhone And that’s it! NOTE: each web browser’s support for passkeys looks a little different. With Chrome and Edge, you’ll be presented the option to sign in using a phone or tablet, and generate a QR code to scan with your iPhone or iPad’s camera to Sign in with Passkey. Safari offers a faster experience where you don’t need to scan the QR code on screen to Sign in with Passkey.

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FAQs

What’s the difference between Two-Step Authentication and Passkeys? Two-Step Authentication (2SA) is a ServiceM8 add-on, and a great way to increase the security of your ServiceM8 account and protect it from online criminals. ServiceM8’s 2SA involves entering your email and password to log in, then waiting a moment for a SMS or push notification containing a one time, 6-digit code to your mobile device, which serves as a “second step” of authenticating access to your ServiceM8 account. So, even if a criminal manages to guess, discover or trick you into revealing your ServiceM8 login email and password, they’d still need immediate access to your mobile device/messages to gain access to your ServiceM8 account. This means 2SA makes your account much more secure. Learn more about ServiceM8’s Two-Step Authentication here. Passkeys is a new authentication standard to sign in to apps and websites, using fast and secure biometric technology such as Touch ID and Face ID. In this context, ServiceM8 has supported passkeys as an optional authentication method for use with ServiceM8’s Two-Step Authentication feature. So now, when you activate ServiceM8’s Two-Step Authentication, to log into your ServiceM8 account you can:
  • Use the standard 2SA process i.e. Enter your email & password, then the 6-digit code received via SMS or push notification; or
  • Take the extra step of saving a passkey (once) for your ServiceM8 login i.e. Enter your email & password, then Sign in with Passkey.
Do we need to use Two-Step Authentication? Activation of ServiceM8’s Two-Step Authentication is a requirement for all ServiceM8 accounts connected to a Xero account. Use of Two-Step Authentication for all other customers will continue to be optional, but recommended. Do we need to use Passkey? No. If you already have ServiceM8’s Two-Step Authentication activated, switching your second step of authentication from the 6-digit code to a saved Passkey is optional. Can you turn off Two-Step Authentication? No. Activation of 2SA is a one-way process for the Account Owner. You can choose to activate 2SA for the Account Owner only, or All Staff. However, once you activate 2SA there’s no option to deactivate it for the Account Owner. Can you turn off Sign in with Passkey? No. If one staff member in our account activates Passkey, will it apply for all staff members? No. Saving a passkey for your ServiceM8 login works on a “per staff member” basis, so you can have a mix of some staff members using Sign in with Passkey, while others continue to use the original 6-digit code to complete the login process. What if some of our office staff members don’t have an iPhone or iPad? No problem — saving a passkey for your ServiceM8 login works on a “per staff member” basis. Staff members without an iPhone or iPad can continue to use the original 6-digit SMS/push code method as their second authentication step when logging into the Online Dashboard. Can you use Passkeys with other account sign in options, such as Sign in with Apple, Sign in with Google, Xero Sign In, or Intuit Sign In? No. Passkey support is only available to ServiceM8 accounts with a standard email & password, and Two-Step Authentication enabled. Does Sign in with Passkey work with the ServiceM8 Desktop apps for Windows and Mac? Yes. What if a staff member saves a passkey for their ServiceM8 login, then later leaves the business? No problem — Passkey is a second step in the signin authentication process i.e. it doesn’t replace the need to enter your email and password first. So, you can simply delete their user profile, or change their email and password, to prevent ongoing access to your ServiceM8 account. See this help article for guidance on what to do when a staff member leaves the business.
Last modified on March 3, 2026