Dashlane's account recovery key is a random 28-character code that you generate and save outside your Dashlane account. If you forget your Master Password or can’t log in to your passwordless account protected by a PIN, use your recovery key to regain access. To use your key, you also need to verify your identity.
If you can’t log in now, start with the article for your account type:
I forgot my Master Password
I can't access my passwordless Dashlane account
Warning: Dashlane doesn’t know or store your Master Password, so we can’t send or reset your Master Password if you forget it. Without a recovery method, you might need to reset your account. A reset erases all your data. Turn on a recovery method before you need it.
How your recovery key works
Your recovery key follows these rules:
- Only one key is active at a time, so a new key makes your old key invalid
- A new Master Password makes your current key invalid
- A key for an account protected by a Master Password works only once
- A key for a passwordless account protected by a PIN works more than once
- Each Friends & Family plan member generates a separate key
Verify your identity
When you use your recovery key, you also enter an email verification code or a 2-factor authentication (2FA) code from your authenticator app. 2FA recovery codes sent by text message don’t work for this step.
Important: Make sure you can access your email or authenticator app before you need your recovery key. Without either one, you can’t use your key.
Store your recovery key outside your Dashlane account
A key saved in your vault is unavailable when you can’t log in. Write down your key, and keep it in a safe place with your other important documents. A key saved on an unprotected device or in an unencrypted file, email, or online document is easier for others to find. If you saved your key as a PDF, store the file on an encrypted storage device, and keep the device offline or in a physical safe.
You can also share your recovery key with someone you trust. Save your key in a Secure Note, and share the note with a contact who has a Dashlane account. Dashlane encrypts shared notes like the rest of your data. If you can’t log in, your contact can give you your key. Choose a contact who can’t access your email or authenticator app. That way, your contact can’t use your key to access your account.
After you use your recovery key
If your account is protected by a Master Password, Dashlane does the following after you use your key:
- Asks you to generate a new Master Password
- Logs you out of all your devices
- Turns off Biometric recovery, which lets you reset your Master Password with your face or fingerprint
- Asks you to create a new recovery key
If you have a passwordless account protected by a PIN, you can use your current key again.
Common questions
Is the recovery key secure and private?
Your recovery key works within Dashlane’s zero-knowledge architecture, so we can’t access your data. Dashlane encrypts your logins and personal information on your device, and then stores your encrypted data on Dashlane servers for backup and sync. Encrypted data is unreadable to others. When you log in, Dashlane decrypts your data on your device.
We never store or share your recovery key, so we can’t send you a lost key. Keep your key somewhere you can find it.
Are my recovery key and my 2FA recovery codes the same?
No. Your recovery key is a 28-character code that you use if you forget your Master Password or lose access to your devices. Your 2FA recovery codes are 16 characters long and give you temporary access to your account so you can turn off 2FA.
Why does Dashlane recommend that I write down my recovery key but not my Master Password?
You use your Master Password often, so you can remember it without a written copy. You need your recovery key only if you forget your Master Password or can’t log in to your passwordless account protected by a PIN. You rarely use your key, so you need a saved copy. To use your key, you also verify your identity, which helps protect your account if someone else finds your key.
Can I recover my account with other methods?
Yes, if you've set up other recovery methods.
Do shared items change after I use my recovery key?
No. Items you shared with others and items others shared with you stay shared.
Can an admin generate a recovery key for a plan member?
No. Each plan member creates a separate recovery key.
Can an admin turn off recovery keys for a team?
No.
Can I use a recovery key with single sign-on (SSO)?
No. You can use a recovery key if your account has a Master Password or a PIN. If you log in with single sign-on (SSO), contact your plan admin for help.