Earlier, the instant messaging tool Telegram was developing Passkey login. Using Passkey can reduce the friction when users log in. For example, there is no need to enter a mobile phone number and send a verification code, which can significantly reduce Telegram’s cost of sending verification codes.
Pass key login has now been launched in the Russian market first. The reason may be that Russia has begun to block Telegram’s SMS verification channel. Providing the pass key can ensure that Russian users can successfully log in to their accounts. After the subsequent testing is completed, Telegram should gradually open it to users in all markets around the world.
How to create a passkey in Telegram:
Version support: Android 12.2.10 or iOS 12.2.3
Mobile phone number: At this stage, only Russian mobile phone numbers are supported
Enable the function: First log in to the account in the traditional way, then go to Settings, Privacy, Pass Key. If you cannot see the pass key option yet, it means that your account is not supported yet.
Specific steps: Click Pass Key and click Add Pass Key to create it. The pass key will be saved in the system's own password manager or a third-party password manager installed by the user. After creation, biometric verification or PIN code verification may be required for subsequent use.
How to log in with a passkey in Telegram:
After the pass key has been created, Telegram will automatically pop up the option to log in with the pass key during subsequent logins. You only need to complete the authentication to log in. If the login option does not pop up automatically, wait a few seconds and Telegram will display the option to log in using a pass key under your phone number. Just click on this option.
Since the pass key itself has complete identity information, users do not need to enter their mobile phone number or send a verification code. Using the pass key can quickly log in without a mobile phone number or verification code, making the whole process very convenient.
Does using a pass key mean that there is no need to bind a mobile phone number:
No, the user still needs to provide a mobile phone number for verification when registering an account. It is not necessary to register an account without a mobile phone number (except +888 virtual number). That is, the user must first successfully register an account with a mobile phone number and then bind the pass key.
Mobile phone number verification is also one of Telegram's ways to combat spam accounts, so even in the future Telegram is unlikely to completely abandon the use of mobile phone numbers for initial account verification.