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The evolution of Wear OS authentication
The Credential Manager on Wear OS streamlines the authentication experience by allowing users to authenticate directly from their watch without needing a nearby phone. This unified API enables developers to reuse their mobile app's code on Wear OS, streamlining development across form factors. Credential Manager provides a single tap authentication with passwords, federated identities like Sign in with Google, or passkeys, the new industry standard for security. Passkeys are built on the principle of asymmetric encryption, providing a highly secure and phishing-proof method of authentication. The user experience of passkeys is seamless, eliminating the need to remember complex passphrases and providing a faster, more secure method of authentication. Developers should design their authentication flow with Credential Manager as the base, deciding which built-in methods to implement based on their mobile experiences and user needs. Passkeys are the preferred built-in solution due to their inherent security and simplicity, but other built-in options can also be implemented. Developers should maintain at least one existing authentication option as a backup as they transition their users to Credential Manager. Implementing Credential Manager on Wear OS is a straightforward process that delivers significant benefits, providing users with a secure, seamless, and efficient way to authenticate. By adopting this API, developers can reuse their mobile implementation and provide a faster, more secure method of authentication.