Local unlock is available on the latest versions of Chrome, Edge, Brave, and Opera—but not Firefox. Members of Dashlane Starter, Team, and Business plans who log in using single sign-on (SSO) can't use Local unlock.
You can quickly and securely unlock Dashlane web app with your fingerprint, which is called biometric authentication, or with a PIN code or security key. We call this setting "Local unlock." When you turn on Local unlock, you can open the web app without entering your Master Password.
Note: You can't use Local unlock if you've turned on 2-factor authentication (2FA) for every time you log in to Dashlane. If you want to use both 2FA and Local unlock, make sure you turn on 2FA for new devices only or for specific logins.
Manage and use Local unlock for the web app
Select the type of computer you're using.
Turn on Local unlock for the web app on Windows
- If you plan to use Local unlock with your fingerprint, turn on Windows Hello in your computer settings.
Set up Windows Hello - In the My account menu of the Dashlane web app, select Settings and then Security settings.
- Turn on Local unlock, enter your Master Password, and select Unlock.
- In the pop-up, select Add unlock method.
- In the next pop-up, follow the steps for the unlock method you want to turn on:
Security key
- Select More choices and then Security key.
- Select OK in the pop-up.
- Enter your security key PIN and select OK again.
- Touch your security key.
- Select Done
Fingerprint
- Select More choices and then Fingerprint.
- Place your finger on the scanner when asked.
- Select Done
PIN code
- Enter your PIN code.
- Select OK.
- Select Done.
Repeat this process for each browser or device you use.
Turn on a second unlock method on Windows
- In the My account menu of the Dashlane web app, select Settings and then Security settings.
- In the Local unlock section, select View options.
- Select + next to Unlock methods and then enter the required information or place your fingerprint on the fingerprint scanner, depending on which method you've already added.
Dashlane names the new method "Biometric 2" and renames the previously-added method "Biometric 1."
Use Local unlock to access the web app on Windows
After you turn on Local unlock, you can unlock Dashlane using fingerprint authentication or a security key instead of entering your Master Password.
Dashlane asks you to place your finger on the fingerprint scanner or enter the security key, depending on your method.
If you have more than one method added on the same browser or device, Dashlane asks you to scan your fingerprint by default. You can also log in with a security key. Select the Security Key option when you log in.
After authenticating using the fingerprint scanner or the security key, Dashlane unlocks your account.
Important notes:
- You need to scan your fingerprint or plug in your security key within 60 seconds. After 60 seconds, the authentication fails, and you're asked to try again.
- The option to log in with your Master Password is always available.
- If you log out manually, the Local unlock setting is turned off automatically, and Dashlane asks you to enter your Master Password to log in again. In addition, you'll need to enter your Master Password from time to time as a security measure and to make sure that you remember your password.
- If authentication fails, the system might ask for a password. This password isn't your Dashlane Master Password but the session password for your device.
Lock the Dashlane extension on Windows
After you turn on Local unlock, you can lock the extension anytime. While your extension is locked, you can't access your data in the web app or extension pop-up. We'll also stop autofilling your information until you unlock the extension.
To lock the extension, select the Dashlane D in your browser toolbar to open the extension. Then select More and Lock. You can also lock the extension from the web app by opening the My account menu and selecting Lock.
Note: You won't see the option to lock your extension unless you turn on Local unlock.
Turn off Local unlock for the web app on Windows
- In the My account menu of the Dashlane web app, select Settings and then Security settings.
- Turn off Local unlock and enter your Master Password if asked.
If you have more than one method enabled for that device or browser and you want to remove only one of them, follow these steps:
- In the My account menu of the Dashlane web app, select Settings and then Security settings.
- In the Local unlock section, select View options.
- Select the 3-dot menu next to the method you want to remove and select Delete.
If you're using Opera on an Apple device, Local unlock is only available using a security key, not your fingerprint. If you're using Safari, the process for unlocking your app is different than what we describe in this article.
Read our article on unlocking the Safari app with TouchID
Turn on Local unlock for the web app on Apple
- If you plan to use Local unlock with your fingerprint, you need to set up TouchID in your computer settings first.
Set up Touch ID - In the My account menu of the Dashlane web app, select Settings and then Security settings.
- Turn on Local unlock, enter your Master Password, and select Unlock.
- In the pop-up, select Add unlock method.
- In the next pop-up, follow the steps for the unlock method you want to turn on:
Security key
- Select Continue and then Security key.
- Select OK in the pop-up.
- Enter your security key PIN and select OK again.
- Touch your security key.
- Select Done
Fingerprint
Select Continue and then place your finger on the scanner when asked. Then select Done.
Repeat this process for each browser or device you use.
Turn on a second unlock method on an Apple device
- In the My account menu of the Dashlane web app, select Settings and then Security settings.
- In the Local unlock section, select View options.
- Select + next to Unlock methods and then enter the required information or place your fingerprint on the fingerprint scanner, depending on which method you've already added.
Dashlane names the new method "Biometric 2" and renames the previously-added method "Biometric 1."
Use Local unlock to access the web app on Apple
After you turn on Local unlock, you can unlock Dashlane using fingerprint authentication or a security key instead of entering your Master Password.
Dashlane asks you to place your finger on the fingerprint scanner or enter the security key, depending on your method.
If you have more than one method added on the same browser or device, Dashlane asks you to scan your fingerprint by default. You can also log in with a security key. Select Cancel, then USB security key. Enter your security key and select it.
After authenticating using the fingerprint scanner or the security key, Dashlane unlocks your account.
Important notes:
- You need to scan your fingerprint or plug in your security key within 60 seconds. After 60 seconds, the authentication fails, and you're asked to try again.
- The option to log in with your Master Password is always available.
- If you log out manually, the Local unlock setting is turned off automatically, and Dashlane asks you to enter your Master Password to log in again. In addition, you'll need to enter your Master Password from time to time as a security measure and to make sure that you remember your password.
- If authentication fails, the system might ask for a password. This password isn't your Dashlane Master Password but the session password for your device.
Lock the Dashlane extension on Apple
After you turn on Local unlock, you can lock the extension anytime. While your extension is locked, you can't access your data in the web app or extension pop-up. We'll also stop autofilling your information until you unlock the extension.
To lock the extension, select the Dashlane D in your browser toolbar to open the extension. Then select More and Lock. You can also lock the extension from the web app by opening the My account menu and selecting Lock.
Note: You won't see the option to lock your extension unless you turn on Local unlock.
Turn off Local unlock for the web app on Apple
- In the My account menu of the Dashlane web app, select Settings and then Security settings.
- Turn off Local unlock and enter your Master Password if asked.
If you have more than one method enabled for that device or browser and you want to remove only one of them, follow these steps:
- In the My account menu of the Dashlane web app, select Settings and then Security settings.
- In the Local unlock section, select View options.
- Select the 3-dot menu next to the method you want to remove and select Delete.
Having trouble using Local unlock?
Make sure your computer, browser, and security key work with Local unlock
Make sure you have the latest version of Dashlane
Common questions
Does Local unlock replace my Master Password?
No, the unlock methods in this article don't completely replace your Master Password. For security reasons, you'll need to enter your Master Password every 14 days or whenever you log in after logging out of your account manually.
You also need to enter your Master Password to view or autofill logins protected with your Master Password, and when you change some settings—like adding a new fingerprint and changing your Master Password.
Does Local unlock replace 2-factor authentication (2FA)?
No, local unlock with a security key is different from using a security key with 2FA. In 2FA, the key is an extra layer of security in addition to your Master Password. You can't currently use security keys with 2FA in Dashlane.
What devices and browsers can I use with Local unlock?
Computers
You can unlock your accounts on Apple and Windows using biometrics, like your fingerprint, or a hardware security key. You can unlock your account on Linux using only a hardware security key.
Browsers
Local unlock is available on the latest versions of Chrome, Edge, Brave, and Opera—but not Firefox. If you're using Opera on an Apple device, Local unlock is only available using a security key, not your fingerprint. Local unlock isn't available in Firefox or Safari, but you can use Touch ID to unlock the Safari app.
Activate Touch ID on the Safari app
Security keys
You can use any security key that works with FIDO2 and WebAuthn, including these keys:
- YubiKey 5C NFC
- YubiKey 5Ci
- YubiKey 5 NFC
- YubiKey 5 Nano
- YubiKey 5C
- YubiKey 5C Nano
- Security Key NFC by Yubico
Why was I asked to enter my Master Password after turning on Local unlock?
If you manually log out of your Dashlane account with an unlock method turned on, Dashlane automatically turns off this setting. You must enter your Master Password the next time you log in and then turn on the setting again.
With this setting, you're only locking and unlocking your app using your fingerprint or key, not logging in and logging out each time. When you log out manually, your account is no longer locked, so you must enter your Master Password to log in and then turn on the setting again.
I received an error message saying "Something went wrong." What do I do?
"Something went wrong" is a general error message that appears when Local unlock doesn't work. You might see this error if you're trying to turn on the setting in a browser that doesn't work with Local unlock, like Firefox or Safari. Or you might be having a temporary problem scanning your fingerprint.
If you get this error message, first make sure that your computer, browser, and security key work with Local unlock. You can always access your account using your Master Password.
If you continue to have problems with Local unlock, Customer Support team.
Unlock other Dashlane apps with biometrics or codes
Unlock the Safari app with TouchID
Unlock the iOS (Apple) app with biometrics or a PIN
Unlock the Android app with biometrics or a PIN