When you try to access your Picnic account on your computer, your passkey is usually saved on your phone. In that case, the site displays a QR code so you can authenticate using your phone. Here's how it works.
Step by step
- On your computer, open the browser and go to www.usepicnic.com.
- Enter your account email and click Continue.
- You'll see a screen asking for your passkey. If the browser asks whether to "use a passkey from this device" or "use a passkey from another device", choose the second option (or select "phone" / "QR code", depending on your browser).
- A QR code will appear on the PC screen.
- Pick up your phone (the one where the passkey was created) and open the default camera app.
- Point the camera at the QR code on the PC.
- The phone will show a notification asking you to sign in to the site. Tap the notification.
- The phone will ask for your biometrics (fingerprint or Face ID). Authenticate.
- Done! Access on the PC is unlocked automatically.
Requirements for the QR code to work
- Bluetooth must be enabled on both devices (PC and phone). The system uses Bluetooth to confirm the devices are near each other.
- PC and phone must be in the same environment (physically close).
- The passkey must be registered on the phone.
- On Android, the phone must have an active password manager (usually Google Password Manager).
Common issues
The phone doesn't read the QR code
- Make sure you're using the phone's default camera app (don't use third-party apps).
- Increase the brightness of the PC screen to make scanning easier.
- Try moving the phone closer to the QR code.
- On Android, check that the password manager is enabled. See: Passkeys on Android: how to set up.
The QR code doesn't appear on the PC
- Try another browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge).
- Check whether the passkey has ever been registered — if no passkey exists, there's nothing to use.
- Clear the browser cache and try again.
I scanned the QR code, but no notification arrived on the phone
- Check Bluetooth — it must be enabled on both devices.
- Move the phone closer to the PC.
- Make sure system notifications are enabled on the phone.
"Fido" or a different screen appears instead of the QR code
"Fido" is the name of the technical standard behind passkeys — it can show up on some browser screens. Just follow the flow: choose the option to use your phone or QR code to authenticate.
What if I don't want to use my phone every time?
You can register an additional passkey directly on the PC. After logging in once, go to Settings → Security → Add new passkey. That way, the PC gets its own passkey and you no longer need the QR code on that device.