We've answered some frequently asked questions about unlocking the web app using your fingerprint, known as biometrics, or a hardware security key.
Please see the step-by-step guide if you need help enabling or using the Biometric unlock feature.
Overview
What is unlocking using biometrics or a hardware security key?
With this method, you can unlock your Dashlane account from the web app or extension without entering your Master Password. You can use your device's built-in biometric login method (Windows Hello on Windows and Touch ID on macOS) or a hardware security key.
What are the supported unlock methods?
You can use your device's built-in biometric login method (Windows Hello on Windows and Touch ID on macOS) or a hardware security key.
Does this replace my Dashlane Master Password?
This feature doesn't fully replace your Master Password. We still ask for your Master Password every 14 days for security reasons and to ensure you don't forget it.
You must still enter your Master Password to unlock items, such as viewing logins and autofilling logins protected with your Master Password, or change some settings, such as changing your Master Password.
Is the web app compatible with OTP/U2F using a security key?
No. Here, you use the security key as an alternative to entering your Master Password. This method is different from using a security key as a 2-factor authentication (2FA) method, where the key provides an extra layer of security on top of your Master Password. We have no plans to continue supporting the U2F standard or let customers use security keys for 2FA in the web app.
Can I use security keys to unlock Dashlane on mobile?
No. You can't use hardware security keys on Dashlane mobile apps. This feature is specific to the web app and extension.
Requirements and availability
What OS and browsers are supported?
You can unlock your accounts on macOS and Windows using biometrics or a hardware security key.
You can unlock your account on Linux using only a hardware security key.
The following browsers are compatible with this feature:
- Chrome: version 70 and later
- Edge: version 79 and later
- Brave: version 1.0.0 and later
- Opera: version 54 and later
If you're running Opera on a macOS device, this feature won't be available using biometrics, only a security key.
This feature 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
What security keys are supported?
This feature is compatible with hardware security keys that support FIDO2 and WebAuthn. The following models support FIDO2 and WebAuthn:
- YubiKey 5C NFC
- YubiKey 5Ci
- YubiKey 5 NFC
- YubiKey 5 Nano
- YubiKey 5C
- YubiKey 5C Nano
- Security Key NFC by Yubico
Purchase compatible keys from Yubico's website
Management
Do I need internet access to authenticate my account using biometrics or a key?
Yes. You need internet access to log in to your Dashlane account using biometrics or a hardware security key and to turn on the feature.
If your device is already authorized, you can always access your account offline using your Master Password.
Can I add multiple unlock methods for the same account?
Yes, you can register an unlimited number of unlock methods.
Do I need to choose between the registered unlock methods?
If you've registered different methods for the same account, such as Windows Hello fingerprint and a security key, Dashlane asks you to choose one when unlocking the app.
Do I need to turn on this feature separately on each of my browsers?
Yes. You must turn on the feature and register your methods in each browser the first time you log in.
If you use Dashlane on different devices and want to turn on the feature on all of them, you need to register your methods from each device.
I manually logged out of my account. Why am I asked to enter my Master Password to log back in?
If you manually log out of your Dashlane account with biometrics or hardware key login enabled, Dashlane automatically turns off this feature. You must enter your Master Password the next time you log in and then turn on the feature again.
Turn on Biometric unlock again
When this feature, you're only locking and unlocking your session 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 feature again.
On Windows, why am I asked to enter a PIN code?
On Windows, you need to set up a PIN as part of setting up fingerprint sign-in with Windows Hello. You use the PIN code as an alternative login method.
With Dashlane, if you turn on the biometric option on your Windows device, you can use the PIN as an alternative method to the fingerprint.
Can I use the same security key on different browsers or devices?
Yes. You can use the same security key on different browsers and different devices. Remember that you have to register your methods from every browser or device.
I have one hardware security key. How many Dashlane accounts can I add this key to?
You can use a security key as a method on an unlimited number of Dashlane accounts.
Can I rename or delete my methods?
Currently, you can't rename methods. It is automatically named "Biometric" within your account's security settings.
If you've registered more than one login method, Dashlane automatically names the first one "Biometric 1," the second "Biometric 2," and so on.
You can delete a method from the 3-dot menu next to it by selecting Delete. You must enter your Master Password when you delete the last method because this action also turns off the feature.
I received an error "Something went wrong." What does it mean?
"Something went wrong" is a generic error message that appears when the authentication fails. Different issues can cause this error. For example, you're trying to turn on the feature on an unsupported browser (Firefox, Safari), or you encounter a temporary local issue when scanning your fingerprint.
If you get this error message, review the minimum requirements and try again before contacting Dashlane Customer Support. Note that you can always access your account using your Master Password.