If you're a member of a professional plan and log in using single sign-on (SSO), you don't need to use a Master Password. SSO means you use one login application to access Dashlane and other work accounts. Instead of a Master Password, you use your regular work password to log in to Dashlane. If you don't know whether you have SSO, ask your manager or plan admin.
More about professional plans that use SSO
If you received an alert in Dashlane that says your Master Password is weak, review the section in this article about creating strong Master Passwords. Weak passwords are typically easily guessable or susceptible to compromise. Your weak password may be too short, lack variety, use a common combination, or lack complexity.
Create a strong, easy-to-remember Master Password
Want to log in without a Master Password? Set up a passwordless Dashlane account
Why is my Master Password important?
Your Master Password is the only password you need to remember when using Dashlane. And the most important thing you can do to keep your account secure is to create a strong Master Password. You want a Master Password that is long, unique, and difficult to guess. If you believe you have a weak or easily guessed Master Password, change your password as soon as possible.
Your Master Password also needs to be easy to remember. We can't send you your Master Password if you forget it. No one at Dashlane knows your Master Password, and we don't store your password anywhere.
Dashlane is built on the principle of zero knowledge to ensure that only you have access to your Dashlane vault. Your logins and personal information are always "encrypted," even when we store your data on our servers as a backup and to sync your data across devices. Encryption scrambles your data so no one can read it. When you enter your Master Password, your data is "decrypted" on your device and available only to you.
Warning: Dashlane doesn’t know or store your Master Password, so we can't send or reset your Master Password if you forget it. If you have a passwordless account, you log in with your devices instead of a Master Password. Without a recovery method, you might need to reset your account if you forget your Master Password or lose access to your devices. A reset erases all your data.
When do I need my Master Password?
You must enter your Master Password to verify your identity and access your data. Regardless of any other authentication options you turn on, you need to enter your Master Password when you do any of these things:
- Log in for the first time on a new device
- Manually log out and log back into Dashlane
- Turn on 2-factor authentication (2FA) if more than 5 minutes have passed since the last time you entered your Master Password
- Turn biometric unlock or PIN unlock on or off, if more than 5 minutes have passed since the last time you entered your Master Password
- Unlock vault items if the setting Protect item is turned on and more than 5 minutes have passed since the last time you entered your Master Password, unless you also have Biometric unlock turned on
- For security reasons, we ask you to enter your Master Password whenever you autofill payment info, unless you have Biometric unlock turned on
- Log in after turning off biometrics or changing a biometric setting, such as adding a new fingerprint
If you turn on one or more of the authentication options listed in the next section, you won't need to enter your Master Password as often when you do these things:
- Restart your device
- Launch the app
- Close and reopen your browser
Important: Nothing fully replaces your Master Password. Dashlane still asks for your Master Password from time to time to make sure you don't forget your password.
Authentication options to enter my Master Password less often
Mobile options: On your mobile device, you can unlock the Dashlane app with a PIN, your face, or your fingerprint. These quick, secure options mean you don’t need to enter your Master Password each time.
Turn on PIN unlock
Turn on face or fingerprint unlock
Web options: You can turn on one of two options in the web version so that you don't have to enter your Master Password as often.
-
Biometric unlock or PIN unlock: You can use a PIN code, your device's biometrics (such as your fingerprint or face), Windows Hello, or a security key to unlock Dashlane. No need to enter your Master Password.
Turn on PIN unlock
Turn on face or fingerprint unlock -
Keep me logged in for 14 days: You can turn on this option so that you're not logged out of Dashlane when you close your browser. Use this option only if your computer is safe from unauthorized access. You’ll still be required to log in with your Master Password every 14 days to make sure you remember it.
More about staying logged in for 14 days
Important: The Keep me logged in for 14 days option isn't available when you've turned on the Biometric unlock or PIN unlock options. Biometric unlock or PIN unlock are alternatives to keeping your session logged in for 14 days.
Tip: Though you can choose to stay logged in for 14 days, enter your Master Password more often to help remember it.
Create a strong, easy-to-remember Master Password
Cybercriminals use computers to guess passwords. The computers run brute-force attacks, which try many possible passwords until one works.
Dashlane considers a password weak if someone can guess the password with little effort.
Dashlane considers a password weak if someone can guess the password with little effort. Dashlane checks password strength against more than 30,000 common passwords, dictionary words, names, keyboard patterns, dates, and more.
Dashlane uses an open-source algorithm called ZXCVBN. Most password-strength meters use ZXCVBN too. The algorithm looks for patterns that cybercriminals use to guess passwords.
ZXCVBN assigns each password a strength score from 0 to 4. The strongest score is 4, and a password with a score of 2 or lower is weak.
Test the strength of passwords
Blog: Dashlane's ZXCVBN guidance helps you create stronger Master Passwords
Tips to create or update your Master Password
Review these tips to help you create the strongest, unique Master Password that you can remember.
Make your Master Password long
Create the longest Master Password you can remember. Try to create a password that is at least 12–15 characters long. Dashlane has systems in place to prevent hackers from guessing your Master Password, but longer is always stronger. You can also use a passphrase in place of characters.
Add variety
Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, words, and special characters when you create your Master Password. Passwords that consist of mixed characters are harder to guess. Try to mix uppercase letters and special characters in the middle of the password or passphrase rather than at the beginning or end.
If you use special symbols for added security, make sure you select symbols that are available on all devices that you'll need to use to access Dashlane.
Avoid certain words, numbers, and personal information
Avoid dictionary words, slang, common phrases, curse words, email addresses, names, places, and so on. These types of words and phrases make your passwords easier to guess. You also want to avoid personal identifying information, such as birthdates, street names, and family names. Don't include any details that hackers can discover on your social media pages or from email communications.
Use mnemonics
Mnemonics are memory tricks that can help you remember long strings of information, often in a particular order. Start with a meaningful phrase, sentence, or song lyric. Take the first letter of each word to create your password. Add numbers, uppercase letters, and special characters to make your password more complex.
Example of a Master Password created with mnemonics:
I am a fish out of water in science class = iAaFoOH2O%iSc
Every other letter is uppercase, "water" is H2O, and a special character is added. The addition of the special character greatly raised the complexity of this Master Password.
Don't repeat—not even a portion
You need to make your Master Password—and any password—unique. Unique passwords reduce the likelihood that all your accounts will be hacked simultaneously.
Make sure that no part of your Master Password is based on another password you use. Some people reuse a portion of a password in all their passwords to make them easier to remember. A secure password is one you never reuse for multiple accounts and isn't based on any other password.
You can count on Dashlane to provide security and convenience. Dashlane remembers all your passwords for all your logins, so you only need to remember one: your Master Password. The easiest way to make sure you have strong, unique passwords for your online logins is to use our Password Generator.
Try these tips to remember your Master Password
After you create a Master Password you can remember, you can also try some of these tips to trigger your memory:
- Log in repeatedly with your Master Password. Even though you can choose to stay logged in for 14 days, try to enter your Master Password for the first several logins.
- Write down a Master Password hint and store the hint in a safe place, such as your wallet. You want your hint to trigger your memory, but be meaningless to anyone else.
- Create an image that helps you remember your Master Password and store the image in a safe place.
Turn on the account recovery options available to you
Worried that you might forget your Master Password? We recommend that you turn on the recovery options available to you to make sure you don't lose access to your account.
Important: Nothing fully replaces your Master Password. Dashlane still asks for your Master Password from time to time to make sure you don't forget your password.
Account recovery options
Account recovery key
If you forget your Master Password, you can use your account recovery key to regain access to your Dashlane account. You keep all your data. To recover your account, you’ll enter the recovery key you saved, verify your identity, and change your Master Password.
Your recovery key works as an emergency key to your vault, so you always have a way to access your account.
Dashlane's account recovery key
Biometric settings
We recommend that you turn on biometrics and Biometric recovery in the mobile app. Then, you can reset your Master Password with your fingerprint or face.
Unlock with biometrics isn't a replacement for your Master Password. Even with biometrics and biometric recovery enabled, we'll occasionally ask you to enter your Master Password from time to time.
Master Password reset on Android | Master Password reset on iOS | Master Password reset on the macOS app | Master Password reset on the iPadOS app
Admin-assisted recovery if you're a member of a professional plan
Admin-assisted recovery is available to members of professional plans. If you forget your Master Password, you can send a request to your admin. After your admin approves the request, you can reset your Master Password. You keep all your personal data, and it stays private.
To use admin-assisted recovery, turn the setting on before you forget your Master Password. You can turn the setting on at any time or when Dashlane prompts you.
For members: Turn on and request admin-assisted recovery
For admins: Manage admin-assisted recovery
Check out these password tips in the Dashlane blog
How to make strong passwords even stronger
5 tips to increase your password strength
10 most common passwords (Is yours on the list?)
6 tips to create strong, secure passwords in a digital world