iCloud Keychain is required on macOS to create passkeys in Apple Passwords (which uses iCloud Keychain to securely sync them). Apple Passwords is the default credential manager in macOS (similar to Google Password Manager on most Android devices). If you want to save to another credential manager (app) on your Mac, you need to install it and enable it. If you don't have another credential manager on your Mac, that is why you can't save a passkey on your Mac and are given the option to save to another device.

The thing that scares me about Apple security is how completely phony it is. I dont use their stuff anymore but their implementation of "2 factor" forcing me to put in a device password gave me the creeps. I dont think Apple has a good grasp of security, nor do I think they particularly care. But the article is about passkeys. Agree. I dont use em, I dont let my family use em, I dont let my friends use em. They cannot be fixed and should never have been invented.

> so-called “average” users, as opposed to sophisticated users like myself, “power” users. I’ve always felt, however, that the dichotomy and alleged opposition between sophisticated and unsophisticated computer users is false and counterproductive.

Not so easy.

The reality is that a majority just want to avoid typing ridiculous passwords/TOTP - and those UI are awful design. FaceID or Press fingerprint and move on. That says a majority that do not have Tech support children.

At some point OP should move to a different hardware.