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Kinde · Const

Passwordless

Kinde Passwordless authentication lets users sign in without maintaining passwords, using one-time passcodes delivered through configured email, phone, or username connections. Codes expire after two hours.

How it works

Passwordless authentication lets users access an application without maintaining a password. Kinde sends a one-time passcode through a configured email, phone, or username-based connection; the user submits that code to complete sign-in. Codes expire after two hours, and the method is enabled by default for email in new Kinde businesses.

Key points

  • Users authenticate without creating or maintaining a password.
  • The replacement credential is a one-time passcode.
  • A Kinde-issued passcode remains usable for two hours.
  • New Kinde businesses start with email passwordless enabled.
  • Configuration is scoped by choosing the applications that may use the connection.
  • An optional code button can let password-page users sign in through an emailed OTP.

Common mistakes

  • An application cannot have email code and email password authentication enabled simultaneously; disable one before enabling the other.
  • Do not design the flow around magic links; Kinde's documented passwordless method uses one-time passcodes.

Example: Enable email passwordless authentication

// Enable Passwordless in Kinde Dashboard:
// Settings > Environment > Authentication
// Passwordless > Email connections > Code
// Select your application, then Save.

Configure the connection in the Kinde dashboard, then select the applications that should use it. Users receive a one-time code instead of creating or entering a password.

When to use it

Email-based sign-in

Users sign in with an emailed one-time passcode instead of remembering a password.

Phone-based authentication

Users receive a sign-in code by SMS when phone authentication is configured.

Fallback code sign-in

A password-based app offers a code option for users who prefer not to enter their password.

Interview questions

QWhat does passwordless authentication mean in Kinde?

Passwordless authentication removes the need for users to create or maintain passwords. Kinde authenticates them with a one-time passcode delivered through a configured connection, such as email or phone.

Follow-up: How long is a passcode valid? Kinde passcodes expire after two hours.

QHow do you enable passwordless authentication?

Configure it in Kinde under Settings, Environment, and Authentication. In the Passwordless section, configure an email, phone, or username code connection, select the applications that use it, and save.

Follow-up: What additional dependency applies to phone authentication? Phone authentication requires Twilio and a Kinde Pro upgrade.

QWhat compatibility limitation applies to email code authentication?

Email passwordless is enabled by default for new Kinde businesses. However, an app cannot enable Email + code and Email + password at the same time.

Follow-up: Can password users still be offered a code? Yes; Kinde documents a Sign in with a code option on the password page, allowing both experiences without enabling both conflicting email connection types for the same app.

  • Email connections > Code
  • Phone connections > Code
  • Username connections > Code
  • Email + password
  • Sign in with a code

Source: Passwordless authentication. Checked 2026-10-15.