You can create a Dashlane account protected by a physical security key. You'll use your security key instead of a Master Password to log in to your account.
Security key login provides strong protection against phishing attacks and is currently available for Dashlane personal plans and for the first admin of a new professional plan.
Early access: Use security key login for the admin account of a professional plan
If you’re starting a new Dashlane professional plan or trial, you can use security key login for the first admin account on the plan.
To take advantage of this option, follow these steps before creating your account:
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Install the Dashlane browser extension in your Chrome or Edge browser if you haven't already.
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Right-click the Dashlane D extension icon and select Options or Extension Options, depending on your browser. If you don't see the extension icon, select the extensions menu, shown as a puzzle piece.
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Turn on the option: Early access for professional plan admins: Passwordless login with security keys (FIDO2)
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Create your passwordless Dashlane account protected by a security key.
Set up a passwordless account protected by a FIDO2 security key
Before you start
You can create an account protected by a security key only in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. After creating your account, you can use your security key to log in to Dashlane on your Android device or in Chrome or Edge on any computer.
Add a device using a security key
You can use any security key that meets the FIDO2 standards. You can add additional security keys as backups. We strongly recommend adding at least one backup key in case you lose your primary key.
Find FIDO2-certified products in the FIDO Alliance database
Tip: Security key login makes using passkeys stored in Dashlane easier and more secure. The security key replaces your Master Password during the user verification step.
More about user verification for passkeys
Create an account protected by a security key on the web
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Install the Dashlane browser extension in Chrome or Edge. Make sure the extension is up to date and you've logged out of any existing Dashlane accounts.
Install the Dashlane browser extension
Update the Dashlane browser extension
Log out of Dashlane - Insert your security key into your device.
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Select the Dashlane D extension icon in your browser toolbar to open the extension pop-up. Then select Create an account.
If you were previously logged in to an existing Dashlane account, you'll need to select your login email to see the Create an account option.
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An account creation screen will open in your browser. To start creating your test account, enter an email address that's never been associated with another Dashlane account. Then select Next.
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On the next screen, select Use a security key. This option creates a passwordless account protected by a security key.
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You'll see a pop-up from your device asking you to enter your security key PIN. For new security keys, you'll be asked to set up a PIN first. The PIN is unique to your security key. You'll also be asked to touch the key. Follow the instructions in the pop-up.
Note: Some keys use biometrics instead of a PIN.
Example of a security key pop-up on a Mac computer:
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Select Create account with security key.
- You'll see the same pop-up on your device again, asking you to enter your security key PIN and either touch the key or use biometrics. Follow the instructions in the pop-up to confirm your account setup.
Log in to Dashlane with your security key on the web
- Select the Dashlane D extension icon in your browser toolbar to open the extension pop-up.
- Enter or select the email address for your account.
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A login page opens in your browser. Insert your security key and select Continue.
- Follow the instructions from your device to log in with your security key. You'll be asked to enter your security key PIN or to use biometrics to verify your identity. You'll also be asked to touch the key.
Add a backup security key for your passwordless account on the web
After you've created a Dashlane account protected by a security key, you can add more keys to your account.
Important: You can use these keys as a backup if you ever lose your main key. We strongly recommend that you add at least one additional key in case you lose the main one.
- Log in to the Dashlane browser extension with your security key
- Open the Vault menu in the top-left of the app, and then select Settings.
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Select Security settings.
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Select Manage security keys.
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Select Add a new security key.
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You'll need to confirm your identity using a security key that's already associated with the account. Insert your existing security key and select Next.
- You'll see a pop-up from your device asking you to enter your PIN and touch the key or to use biometrics. Follow the instructions in the pop-up.
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After following the instructions in the device pop-up for your existing key, select Next in the Dashlane pop-up.
- You'll see the same pop-up from your device a second time for your new security key. Follow the instructions in the pop-up.
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After following the instructions in the device pop-up for your new key, select Confirm in the Dashlane pop-up.
- You'll see the same pop-up from your device a third time. Follow the instructions in the pop-up.
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After following the instructions in the device pop-up, give the key a name and select Save.
You'll see the new key in your list of security keys.
Edit or delete a security key associated with your account on the web
You can change the name of your security key anytime in the Security settings. If you have more than one security key associated with your account, you can also delete a key.
Change the name of your security key on the web
- Log in to the Dashlane browser extension with your security key
- Open the Vault menu in the top-left of the app, and then select Settings.
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Select Security settings.
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Select Manage security keys.
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You'll see a list of security keys associated with your account.
- Select the key you want to edit.
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You can update the Key name and select Save changes.
Delete a security key on the web
- Log in to the Dashlane browser extension with your security key
- Open the Vault menu in the top-left of the app, and then select Settings.
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Select Security settings.
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Select Manage security keys.
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You'll see a list of security keys associated with your account.
- Select the key you want to delete.
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Select Delete key.
- Insert one of the security keys associated with your account. It doesn't have to be the key you're deleting. Select Next.
- You'll see a pop-up from your device asking you to enter your PIN and touch the key or to use biometrics. Follow the instructions in the pop-up.
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After following the instructions in your device pop-up, select Yes, delete in the Dashlane pop-up.
The deleted key disappears from your list of keys.
Log in to an account protected by a security key on Android
After you've created an account protected by a security key in Dashlane, you can log in to the account on Android.
On Android, you can't create a new account protected by a security key. If you don't have an account yet, you can create one in your computer browser.
Create an account protected by a security key on the web
- Open the Android app.
- Enter your login email address and select Continue.
- Enter your security key PIN and select Log in.
- Hold your key to the back of your phone, or plug it into your USB-C port.
- You might see a message from your device asking whether Dashlane can access your security key. Select Ok.
- Touch your security key to finish logging in. You’ll see a confirmation message that your key is verified.
Video: Passwordless login with a security key.
Common questions about passwordless login with security keys
What makes passwordless login with security keys so secure?
While all passwordless login methods are usually more secure than passwords, security keys offer the highest level of protection for these reasons:
- They're separate from your device: Other login methods involve storing secrets in the cloud or locally on your phone or computer. When you use a security key, your credentials are stored on the key and can't be accessed if your device or cloud account is compromised.
- They can't be accessed remotely: You have to physically touch the key to log in, which makes remote attacks—like phishing or malware—much harder to pull off.
- They’re protected by a PIN or biometrics: Even if someone gets physical access to your security key, they need your PIN or fingerprint to use it.
- They’re phishing-resistant: Security keys that are based on FIDO standards verify the actual website you’re logging in to. If a hacker tries to trick you with a fake login page, the key simply won’t work.
Can I use a security key as a second step in 2-factor authentication (2FA) in Dashlane?
We don't use security keys as a form of secondary authentication in 2FA like other password managers. Dashlane is the first major password manager to offer FIDO2 security keys as the primary way to access your vault, delivering phishing-proof security in a single step. Security keys provide the protection of two factors in one:
- Something you have—the physical security key
- Something you know—the PIN used to unlock the key
This combination delivers strong, phishing-resistant authentication in a single step. Instead of requiring a second factor, your security key replaces the password entirely while still ensuring multiple layers of protection.
If you're using a security key to log in to Dashlane, you’re already benefiting from 2-factor protection, just in a simpler, more secure way.