When you turn on PIN unlock, you can create and use a PIN code to open the Dashlane web app and extension. You can also turn on Biometric unlock to open the web app with your fingerprint, security key, or your device's existing PIN code. With these settings, you can quickly and securely lock and unlock the app.
These settings are available to all Dashlane customers who use a Master Password to log in. Customers with passwordless accounts can use PIN unlock but not biometric unlock. You don't have either of these settings if you're a Dashlane Business plan member who logs in with single sign-on (SSO).
What's SSO?
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 plan admin.
Notes about PIN unlock and biometric unlock:
Use and manage PIN unlock for the web app and extension
PIN unlock is turned on automatically when you create a passwordless account in the web app.
Passwordless login for your Dashlane account
With PIN unlock, you can open the Dashlane web app and extension with a 6-digit PIN code. You need to install the Dashlane extension in your browser to use PIN unlock.
Install the Dashlane extension
The PIN you create is specific to the computer and browser where you turned on PIN unlock. If you want to turn on PIN unlock for a different computer or browser, you'll have to log in to Dashlane first using your Master Password or the security challenge for passwordless accounts.
Turn on PIN unlock for the web app and extension
If you're already using a PIN and want to change it, turn PIN unlock off and on again and choose a new PIN code.
- Log in to the Dashlane web app
- Open the My account menu. Then select Settings.
- Select Security settings.
- Turn on the PIN unlock setting.
- In the pop-up, enter your Master Password and select Next. If you have a passwordless account or you logged in within the last 5 minutes, you won't see this pop-up.
- Choose a PIN code and select Next.
- Confirm by entering your PIN code again.
Your PIN is now active. After locking your app, you'll need your PIN to get back in. If you have an account protected by a Master Password, we'll ask for your password from time to time to make sure you remember it.
Your app locks when you close your browser, restart your device, or select Lock in the web app or extension pop-up. If you leave your browser open, your account remains unlocked, even if you close the Dashlane tab.
Open the web app and extension with your PIN
Your app locks when you close your browser, restart your device, or select Lock in the web app or extension pop-up. After locking your app, you'll need your PIN or Master Password to get back in.
- Select the Dashlane D icon in your browser's toolbar to open the extension pop-up.
- Enter your PIN code, and your account opens in the extension pop-up. If you have an account protected by a Master Password, you can select Use Master Password instead if your PIN code isn't working.
- Select Open the web app. The app opens in your browser.
Turn off PIN unlock for the web app and extension
- Select the Dashlane D icon in your browser's toolbar. Enter your PIN code if necessary. Then in the pop-up, select Open the web app.
- In the web app, select the My account menu. Then select Settings.
- Select Security settings.
- Turn off the PIN unlock setting.
Use and manage biometric unlock for the web app
With biometric unlock, you can open the Dashlane web app on Windows with your fingerprint, security key, or PIN code, and on Mac with Touch ID or a security key. The PIN code you use for biometric unlock on Windows is your device's PIN code.
Why don't I see an option to turn on biometric unlock in the web app?
You won't have a biometric unlock option in Firefox or Safari. You need to use a Chromium browser like Chrome, Edge, Opera, or Brave instead. You also need to install the Dashlane extension in your browser to use biometric unlock.
Install the Dashlane extension
You also won't see biometric unlock in these situations:
- You can't use biometric unlock if you've turned on 2-factor authentication (2FA) for every time you log in to Dashlane
- Dashlane Business plan members with single sign-on (SSO) can't use biometric unlock
What's SSO?
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 plan admin.
- You have a passwordless Dashlane account
What devices and browsers can I use with biometric unlock?
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
Turn on biometric unlock for the web app on Windows
- If you plan to use biometric 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 Biometric 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. If you don't see the unlock method you want to turn on, select More choices and then select your unlock method.
Note: The Windows pop-up will ask if you want to save or sign in with a passkey. After you turn on the unlock method, you'll see a pop-up saying passkey saved.
Security key
- Select OK in the pop-up.
- Enter your security key PIN and select OK again.
- Touch your security key.
- Select Done
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 Biometric 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 method you added previously "Biometric 1."
Open the web app on Windows with biometric unlock
After you turn on biometric 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 biometric 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 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.
Turn off biometric 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 Biometric 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 Biometric unlock section, select View options.
- Select the 3-dot menu next to the method you want to remove and select Delete.
You can't use biometric unlock in Safari. If you want to use the feature on a Mac, you can use a Chromium browser like Chrome or Edge. If you're using Dashlane macOS app, the process for unlocking your app is different than what we describe in this article.
Unlock the Dashlane macOS app with Touch ID
Turn on biometric unlock for the web app on a Mac
- If you plan to use biometric unlock with your fingerprint, you need to set up Touch ID 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 Biometric unlock, enter your Master Password, and select Unlock.
- In the pop-up, select Add unlock method.
In the next pop-up, your browser asks you if you want to create a passkey. Follow the steps for the unlock method you want to turn on:
Security key
- Select Use a different passkey.
- Select Use security key.
- If asked, enter your device password.
Fingerprint
- Select Continue.
- Select Use password.
- If asked, enter your device password.
Repeat this process for each browser or device you use.
Turn on a second unlock method on a Mac
- In the My account menu of the Dashlane web app, select Settings and then Security settings.
- In the Biometric 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 method you added previously "Biometric 1."
Open the web app on a Mac with biometric unlock
After you turn on biometric 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 biometric 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 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.
Turn off biometric unlock for the web app on a Mac
- In the My account menu of the Dashlane web app, select Settings and then Security settings.
- Turn off Biometric 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 Biometric unlock section, select View Biometrics options.
- Select the 3-dot menu next to the method you want to remove and select Delete.
Having trouble using biometric unlock?
Make sure your computer, browser, and security key work with biometric unlock
Make sure you have the latest version of Dashlane
Common questions
Do PIN unlock and biometric unlock replace my Master Password?
If you have an account protected by a Master Password, the unlock methods in this article don't completely replace your password. You'll need to enter your Master Password every 14 days or 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.
If you have a passwordless Dashlane account, PIN unlock adds an extra layer of security to your account.
Do PIN unlock and biometric unlock replace 2-factor authentication (2FA)?
No, biometric 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.
Why was I asked to enter my Master Password after turning on PIN unlock or biometric 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 biometric unlock doesn't work. For example, you might see this error if you're 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 biometric unlock. You can always access your account using your Master Password.
Open other Dashlane apps with biometrics or codes
Unlock the Dashlane macOS app with Touch ID
Open the Dashlane Apple app with Face ID, Touch ID, or a PIN
Open the Android app with your fingerprint or PIN code