You can now log in to Dashlane on your browser without having to type your Master Password. This article explains how to enable biometric authentication on the web app and the extension.
Note: This feature is still in Beta stage. This means there may be bugs and glitches, but we're now happy enough with the progress and wanted to let our users benefit from it as soon as possible.
Prerequisites
This feature is currently compatible with the release versions of the following browsers: Chrome, Edge, and any other browser based on Chromium such as Opera and Brave. You'll also need to be running Dashlane version 6.2119 or above.
Moreover, you'll need a Windows or macOS device that allows for fingerprint scanning or a security key compatible with FIDO2 and WebAuthn, as detailed below. If you're a Linux user, at this time, only the Security Key option will be available.
Fingerprint authentication on Windows
If you've never used Windows Hello before, you must register your fingerprint in Windows Hello for it to work with Dashlane.
Once you have fingerprint authentication enabled on your PC, you will be able to use Windows Hello to authenticate on the web app and the extension.
Touch ID on macOS
In order to make Touch ID available in Dashlane on your Macbook, you will first need to enable it in your device settings. Please refer to this Apple tutorial for more information on how to proceed.
Once you have it enabled on your device, you will be able to use Touch ID to authenticate on the web app and the extension.
Authentication with a security key
To use the biometric authentication feature via a security key, your key has to be compatible with FIDO2 / WebAuthn. Here are the models that support FIDO2 and WebAuthn: Yubikey 5C NFC, Yubikey 5Ci, Yubikey 5 Nano, Yubikey 5C, Yubikey 5C Nano, Security Key NFC by Yubico. For more information on this topic, please see Yubico's website.
How it works
With biometric authentication, Dashlane can read your biometrics and log you in on the web app and the extension instead of asking you to enter your Master Password.
If you log out manually, you will be prompted to enter your Master Password to log in to your Dashlane account and you'll have to re-enable the feature.
In addition, you will also be asked to enter your Master Password from time to time as a security measure, as well as to make sure that you remember it.
Note that if you're a Dashlane Business user with single sign-on (SSO) enabled, you'll be asked to use SSO instead of your Master Password to log in to your account and this feature will not be available.
Feel free to check out our FAQ page and known limitations article about this feature for more information.
How to enable/disable the feature
See below for guidelines on how to enable the feature with biometrics or a security key on the web app and the extension.
Enable fingerprint scanner on Windows and macOS
Once you've enabled Windows Hello on your Windows device or Touch ID on your macOS device, you'll be able to set up biometric authentication to log in to your Dashlane account on the web app and extension.
To do so, please follow the steps below:
- Log in on the Dashlane extension
- Click on the 3 dots icon for More Options and select Open App (or click on Open the Web App on the lower-left corner)
- Click My account and select Security Settings
- Click on the switch to enable Biometric Unlock and enter your Master Password when requested
- Select Enable Biometric Unlock clicking on Set up unlock method and:
- if on a Windows device, place your finger on the scanner when prompted
- if on a macOS device, select "This Device", and then place your finger on the scanner when prompted
- Click Done at the end
Note that you'll need to repeat this process for each browser/device if you use more than one.
Enable a Security Key
If you have a security key compatible with FIDO 2 and WebAuthn, you can enable this feature following the steps below:
- Log in on the Dashlane extension
- Click on the 3 dots icon for More Options and select Open App (or click on Open the Web App on the lower-left corner)
- Click My account and select Security Settings
- Click on the switch to enable Unlock with authenticator (or click on Biometric Unlock, if your device has a fingerprint scanner) and enter your Master Password when requested
- Select Unlock with hardware key clicking on Add hardware key. If your device has a fingerprint scanner, select Enable Biometric Unlock clicking on Set up unlock method and then:
- if on a Windows device, cancel the option for fingerprint scanning, if applicable
- if on a macOS device, select "USB Security Key"
- Dashlane will then prompt you to set up a security key: click Ok, insert the security key and tap it
- Click Done at the end
Note that you'll need to repeat this process for each browser/device if you use more than one.
Enable a second method for login on the same browser/device
If you have already added one method and you want to add a second one, please do as follows:
- Log in on the Dashlane extension
- Click on the 3 dots icon for More Options and select Open App (or click on Open the Web App on the lower-left corner)
- Click My account and select Security Settings
- Under Biometric Unlock select View Options
- Click on the + icon and enter your security key or place your fingerprint on the fingerprint scanner (depending on which method you had already added)
- Place your fingerprint on the fingerprint scanner - or cancel that option and enter your security key, then tap it (depending on which log in method you'll be adding) - to add a second method for log in on that browser/device
- The new log in method you added will be listed as Biometric 2, while the previously added method will be renamed Biometric 1.
Disable login with biometrics or a security key
In order to disable the feature, click on Open App from the extension module, go to My Account -» Security Settings and click on the switch to disable Biometric Unlock. You'll be requested to enter your Master Password and you'll be all set.
If you have more than one method enabled for that device/browser and you only wish to remove one of them, follow the same steps: click on Open App from the extension module, go to My Account -» Security Settings, then under Biometric Unlock select View Options.
On the next menu, click on the 3 dots icon next to the method you wish to remove and select delete.
How to use the feature
Once biometric authentication has been set up, you will be able to use fingerprint authentication or a security key instead of entering your Master Password when logging in to Dashlane. As you launch your browser and click on the extension icon to log in, Dashlane will allow you to Log in using your fingerprint or security key for authentication.
You will then be prompted to place your finger on the fingerprint scanner or enter the security key, depending on which method you have enabled.
If you have more than one method added on the same browser/device, you'll be prompted to scan your fingerprint by default. If you want to log in with a Security key, if on Windows select the Security Key option, if on macOS click on Cancel. Then enter your Security Key and tap it.
After authenticating via the fingerprint scanner or the security key, you'll be logged in to your Dashlane account. Keep in mind that:
- You should scan your fingerprint or plug in your security key within 60 seconds. After that time, the authentication will fail and you'll be prompted to Try Biometrics again
- The option to log in with your Master Password will always be available as an alternative option.
- As mentioned above, if you manually log out on the extension, the feature will be disabled automatically. To avoid this, simply close your browser, which will log you out of your Dashlane account, and keep the feature enabled when you open your browser again.
- If the authentication fails, the system may ask for a password. This is not your Dashlane Master Password but rather the session password for your device.