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If you use a password manager, you’ll know how important the master password is; lose it, and you risk losing access to your account. However, Dashlane now lets you create an account without a master password. Here’s why, and how to set up a passwordless account.
What Is a Master Password?
It’s called a “master password” because you enter it to “unlock” all of your other account passwords. Once you’ve migrated all of your login details into the password manager, your master password is the only one you need to remember. Just enter it into your password manager and you “unlock” all of your other login details.
While this is convenient for you, it does mean that anyone who learns your login details can access all of your online account credentials. That’s why some password manager companies never store your master password on their servers.
Unfortunately, if you forget your master password, there is no way to get the company to send you a new one or reset it. Password companies give you a recovery key during the sign-up process in case you lose your master password, but if you lose that too, you can no longer log in.
As such, master passwords are a double-edged sword. On the plus side, you only need to remember your master password to gain access to your online accounts. You canuse tools to create complicated passwordsbecause you won’t be the one remembering them; the password manager is.
On the flip side, losing your master password could lock you out of your account forever. And if anyone finds out what your master password is, they can gain access to all of your other online accounts.
Why Is Dashlane Ditching the Master Password?
Instead of using a password, you can use your fingerprint or Apple FaceID instead. And while other password managers do allow you to log in with biometrics, they don’t have the option to scrap the master password login method.
Dashlane made this move to tackle the two downsides to master passwords that we mentioned earlier. First, fingerprints and face scans are a lot harder to lose than a password. If you lose the device that contains your biometric data, Dashlane states that you may sign back in using a new device.
Second, it’s a lot harder for hackers to gain access to your fingerprint or facial data than a password. Plus, scammers can’t usephishingto steal your biometric data from you, unlike a password.
How to Set Up a Dashlane Account Without a Master Password
At the time of writing, you may’t change an existing Dashlane account to a master passwordless one. You need to make a new account through the Android or iOS app. However, Dashlane does intend to allow existing accounts to drop the master password in the future.
The next screen will ask you to set up a master password. Don’t do this; instead, look at the bottom of the screen for theCreate Passwordless Accountbutton and tap it.
Dashlane will then walk you through the process of making a passwordless account. This includes setting up a PIN and then registering Dashlane with your phone’s biometrics. Once done, you will be the proud owner of a passwordless Dashlane account.
If you want to use your account on a device that doesn’t support biometrics, you’re able to use your phone to verify the login attempt. For example, if you want toinstall and use Dashlane on Windows, you can log in using your username. Dashlane will then ask you to verify the login through your phone.
Simply go to your phone, press thethree barsicon at the top left tap onSettings, thenAdd New Device. You’ll see the login attempt here; allow it to use Dashlane on your other device. It will remember you for 14 days before you need to repeat the process.
