This article answers some frequently asked questions about logging in to the web app using biometrics or a hardware security key.
Please see the step-by-step login guide if you need help enabling or using the feature.
Log in with biometrics or a security key
Contents
- What is logging in using biometrics or a hardware security key?
- What are the supported login methods?
- Does this replace my Dashlane Master Password?
- Is the web app compatible with OTP/U2F via a security key?
- Can I use security keys as a login method on mobile?
- Do I need internet access to authenticate my Dashlane account using biometrics or a security key?
- Can I add multiple login methods for the same account?
- Do I need to choose between the registered login methods?
- Do I need to enable this feature separately on each of my browsers?
- I manually logged out of my account. Why am I asked to enter my Master Password?
- On Windows, why am I asked to enter a PIN code?
- Can I use the same security key on different browsers/devices?
- I have one hardware security key. How many Dashlane accounts can I add this key to?
- Can I rename/delete my login methods?
- I received an error "Something went wrong." What does it mean?
OVERVIEW
What is logging in using biometrics or a hardware security key?
This feature is an alternative login method that allows you to log in to your Dashlane account from the web app or the web 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 login 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 does not 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 can use the Log in with biometrics feature only at account login. You must still enter your Master Password to unlock items (such as viewing passwords and autofill passwords protected with your Master Password) or change some settings (such as changing your Master Password).
Is the web app compatible with OTP/U2F via a security key?
No. Here, you use the security key as an alternative to typing your Master Password at account login. This is different from using a security key as a two-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 log in on mobile?
No. Hardware security keys cannot be used as a login method on Dashlane mobile apps. This feature is specific to the web app and the web extension.
REQUIREMENTS AND AVAILABILITY
What OS and browsers are supported?
MacOS and Windows users can use biometrics or hardware security keys to log in to their accounts.
Linux users can use only hardware security keys.
The following browsers are compatible with this feature.
- Chrome: version 70 and above
- Edge: version 79 and above
- Brave: version 1.0.0 and above
- Opera: version 54 and above
If you're running Opera on a macOS device, this feature will not be available using biometrics, only using a security key.
This feature is not available in Firefox or Safari, but you can use Touch ID for unlocking the new 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 Dashlane account using biometrics or a hardware security key?
Yes. You will need internet access to log in to your Dashlane account using biometrics or hardware security key and to enable the feature.
Note that if your device is already authorized, you can always access your account offline using your Master Password.
Can I add multiple login methods for the same account?
Yes, you can register an unlimited number of login methods.
Do I need to choose between the registered login methods?
If you have registered different login methods for the same account (such as Windows Hello fingerprint and a security key), all of them will be prompted when you try to log in. You'll be able to log in to your account using one of the registered methods. In this case, either by scanning your fingerprint or by inserting your security key.
Do I need to enable this feature separately on each of my browsers?
Yes. You must turn on the feature and register your login methods in each browser the first time you log in.
If you use Dashlane on different devices and want to enable the feature on all of them, you'll also need to register your login methods from each of your devices.
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 disables this feature. You must enter your Master Password the next time you log in and then turn on the feature again. Turn on Log in with biometrics again.
When using the login with biometric or hardware key feature, you are technically 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 re-enable the feature.
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. The PIN code can be used as an alternative sign-in method.
With Dashlane, if you enable the login with biometrics option on your Windows device, you can use the PIN as an alternative login method to the fingerprint.
Can I use the same security key on different browsers/devices?
Yes. You can use the same security key on different browsers and different devices. Remember that you have to register your login methods from every browser or device.
I have one hardware security key. How many Dashlane accounts can I add this key to?
A security key can be used as a login method on an unlimited number of Dashlane accounts.
Can I rename or delete my login methods?
Currently, you cannot rename login methods. It is automatically named Biometric within your account's security settings.
If you have 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 login method by clicking the More menu, shown as three dots, next to it and selecting Delete. You must enter your Master Password when you delete the last login method, as this action is also disabling the feature.
I received an error "Something went wrong." What does it mean?
This is a generic error message that displays when the authentication fails. Different issues could cause this error. For example: you're trying to enable 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.