Passkeys – Frequently Asked Questions

Do the changes also affect the Login Interface of the Work Computer?

No, the login on your work computer will remain unchanged for the time being. As soon as there are any changes, we will inform you in good time.

At the moment, only the JGU login interface is affected. You will have to enter the username and password of your JGU account on this page in order to read emails from outside JGU via mail.uni-mainz.de, for example. In future, the passkeys will only be used for browser-based applications.

Further examples of browser-based applications:

• arbeitszeit.uni-mainz.de
• personen.uni-mainz.de
• rooms.uni-mainz.de
• maps.uni-mainz.de

How many Passkeys do I need to create?

Create at least two passkeys on different devices. That way, if a device with a passkey (such as your USB security stick) is lost or stolen, you always have another passkey to fall back on.

I lost my USB security stick.

Option 1: You can still use the username/password login option during the current transition period and log in with your JGU account password.

Option 2: If you have created another passkey on another device.

• When you log in, select another device on which you have created a passkey.
• Delete the passkey for the USB security stick in your JGU account.
• To obtain a new USB security stick, please contact ZDV Hotline.

I have forgotten the Pin for my USB security stick.

Option 1: You have created another passkey on another device.

• To log in, select another device on which you have created a passkey.
• Delete the passkey for the USB security stick in your JGU account.

Then reset the USB security stick on your computer on which you previously used the USB security stick.

• In the Settings, go to Accounts and then to Login Options.
• Click on security stick and then on Manage.
• Select the Reset security stick option and follow the instructions.
• You can then set a new pin for your USB security stick and create a new passkey.

Option 2: You have not created another Passkey on another device.

• Please contact the ZDV Hotline.

I have lost or got my smartphone and security stick stolen.

Option 1: You have created another Passkey on another device.

• To log in, select another device on which you have created a passkey.
• Delete the passkey for the smartphone from your JGU account.

Option 2: You have not created another Passkey on another device.

• Please contact the ZDV Hotline.

I forgot my Pin for Windows Hello.

Option 1: You created a different Passkey on a different device.

• To log in, select a different device on which you created a passkey.
• Delete the Windows Hello passkey in your JGU account.

Then reset Windows Hello.

• In Settings, go to Accounts and then to Login Options.
• Click Pin → Remove Pin. You will be asked for your JGU account login name. After you have removed your Windows Hello pin, you can reset it and assign a new pin.
• Then delete your old Windows Hello passkey in your JGU account (marked as Windows Hello Hardware Authenticator).
• Then, create a new passkey: https://www.en-zdv.uni-mainz.de/create-and-use-passkeys/

Can I create a Passkey on a Phone that has neither Google nor Apple Services enabled?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to use a smartphone without Google or Apple services as a passkey because the smartphone needs to store the created passkey in the Google system or Android and in the Apple system on iOS.

My USB-Security Stick is locked. How do I unlock it again?

• If your USB-Security Stick is locked, you must reset your key. You can do this in your Windows-Settings.
• Go to your Windows-Setting. On the left side, please click on Accounts. Now, click on Sign-in options on the right side. After that, click on Security key and then on manage.
• Touch the small rectangular metal area on the narrow rear end of the USB stick for at least half a second.
• Now click on reset and then on Proceed. Reinsert your key and Touch the small rectangular metal area on the narrow rear end of the USB stick two times with a little delay for at least half a second. Your USB-Security Stick is now reset and can be used again.
• To use your USB-Security Stick for passkeys again, you must delete the USB-Security Stick from your Account and create it again with +Create passkey.

When using my USB-Security Stick I only see a window without PIN-Request or any other instructions. What do I have to do, to use my USB-Security Stick?

Your USB-Security Stick is probably locked because of too many false PIN-atempts. Please reset your USB-Security Stick, delete and recreate it on your JGU Account and try again. If the problem persists, please contact the Data Center Hotline.

I would like to buy a USB security key privately. What do I need to consider?

There are different brands of USB security keys: e.g. Swissbit or Yubico. At the university, we use the iShield Key FIDO2 (USB-C / NFC) from Swissbit. Technically, there are no big differences. You just need to make sure that your USB security key has the FIDO2 standard. This is a special web authentication standard that allows you to use passkeys. The cost is between 20 and 30 euros.

Does the introduction of Passkeys have consequences for the use of private  devices?

If you want to use browser-based university applications (e.g. mail.uni-mainz.de or arbeitszeit.uni-mainz.de) with your private device, you will need a passkey in the future. We will inform you in good time when we switch which applications to passkey.