Passkeys for students

Microsoft is retiring SMS and voice as authentication methods, a change being driven industry-wide, not something UHI has chosen unilaterally. From 1 September 2026, passkeys become the default sign-in method across Microsoft Entra, and Microsoft-provided SMS/voice authentication is being switched off entirely from 28 January 2027. 

Why the change? Passwords, SMS codes, and voice calls are all vulnerable to interception, phishing, and social engineering - and as AI-driven attacks get more sophisticated - these older methods simply don't hold up.  

Passkeys are phishing-resistant by design: there's no code to intercept and nothing to trick a user into handing over. 

So students can now setup a Passkey as an option to authenticate.

Before you start

Please ensure: 

  • You have already set up an authentication method on your UHI account. 
  • You are using the most up to date operating system on your device.
  • You can sign in successfully using your UHI account.
    • We recommend Microsoft Authenticator as a primary authentication method and suggest setting up more than one authentication method where possible.
    • If you experience any issues with this, please contact the UHI IT ServiceDesk.

Passkey - Windows Hello

To create and save a passkey using Windows Hello on your device, please follow the steps below on our guidance document and/or video.

Student - Setting Up a Passkey Using Windows Hello.pdf

Passkey - Google Password Manager

Below you will find a step by step and video guide for creating a passkey with Google Password Manager.

Please note, you will need to have or create a Google account prior to using this method.

Student - Setting Up a Passkey Using Google Password Manager.pdf

Passkey - BitWarden

The document and video below will take you through the steps required to set up a passkey with Bitwarden.

Please note, you will need to have or create a Bitwarden account prior to using this method.

Student - Setting Up a Passkey Using Bitwarden.pdf