Checklist · Passwordless
Passwordless Launch Checklist for 2026
A passwordless launch requires matching your infrastructure, user communication and fallback auth to a phased rollout. Use this checklist to ship confidently without stranding users who can't verify biometrics or passkeys.
Phase 01
Foundation
- c1medium1 week
Define goals and KPIs (Passwordless)
Set adoption goals: % of users completing passwordless signup, support ticket volume target, and fallback auth usage thresholds.
- c2high2-3 days
Identify target audience (Passwordless)
Map user cohorts by device capability, location and technical comfort—passwordless works best when you start with early adopters.
- c3critical1 day
Audit current state (Passwordless)
Inventory your auth stack: WebAuthn support, backup code generation, SMS or email fallback, and cross-device sync for passkeys.
Phase 02
Execution
- c4medium1 week
Prioritize high-impact tasks (Passwordless)
Prioritize: full-user rollout or closed beta with support staff handling edge cases first.
- c5critical1 day
Assign owners and deadlines (Passwordless)
Assign auth owners, QA sign-off, and rollback procedures—passwordless has no 'fix in prod' when users can't log in.
- c6critical1 day
Set up tracking (Passwordless)
Wire up logging: track signup path choice, fallback usage, and device-unlock failures so you catch adoption friction early.
Phase 03
Launch & Review
- c7medium1 week
Ship and verify (Passwordless)
Run a soft launch to power users and mobile-first cohorts, measure success metrics daily.
- c8high2-3 days
Measure against KPIs (Passwordless)
Compare passwordless completions vs. legacy auth, device unlock failures, and account recovery requests to validate your UX.
- c9critical1 day
Iterate on results (Passwordless)
Act on drops in conversion, spike in fallbacks, or geographic unlock failures—don't wait for general availability.
Pro tips
- Tackle critical items first
- Review the checklist weekly
- Adapt phases to your passwordless context