How to use a passkey to log in to your account

Admins Updated Jun 12, 2024

In this article

This feature is available to users on Dropbox Basic, Plus, Professional, Essentials, Family, and some customers on Dropbox Standard, Advanced, Business, and Business Plus.

Passkeys provide a secure way for you to log in to your account without using a password. They provide an additional level of security against phishing and SIM swap attacks, as well as making the log in process quicker and more convenient.

Important: Your passkey is stored locally on your devices. Your passkey, and any biometric data used to access it, are not stored on Dropbox servers.

How to set up a passkey

You may see a prompt to create a passkey right after you log in. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish setting up your passkey.

Once complete, you can use your passkey instead of your password for faster, more secure log-ins.

How to add a passkey to your Dropbox account
  1. Log in to dropbox.com.
  2. Click your avatar (profile picture or initials).
    • Depending on your plan, your avatar may appear in the top-right or bottom-left corner.
  3. Click Settings.
  4. Click the Security tab.
  5. Under Passkeys, click Add passkey.
    • If you already have a passkey, click Manage Passkeys and then Add new passkey.
  6. Enter your Dropbox account password and click Next.
  7. Follow the instructions in your browser to create a passkey.
  8. Enter or edit a nickname for your passkey, if you wish.
  9. Click Save.
  1. Open the Dropbox mobile app.
  2. Tap (account) in the bottom-right.
  3. Tap Passkeys.
    • If you already have a passkey, tap Add new key.
  4. Enter your Dropbox account password and tap Next.
  5. Follow the instructions in the app to create a passkey.
  6. Enter or edit a nickname for your passkey, if you wish.
  7. Tap Done.
You can now use your passkey to log in to your Dropbox account.

Note: If your team admin requires SSO for logging in, then team members won’t be able to create or use passkeys to log in to Dropbox.

Enabling passkeys as an admin

Team members won’t be able to create new passkeys, or log in with existing passkeys until the admin enables the feature from the admin console.

To turn passkeys on for your team:

  1. Log in to dropbox.com with your admin credentials.
  2. Click Admin console in the left sidebar.
  3. Click Settings.
  4. Select the Security tab.
  5. Under Authentication, toggle Passkey sign-in to On.

Once enabled, team members can start using passkeys the next time they log in.

Log in with a passkey

To log in using a passkey:
  1. Enter your email address and click Continue.
  2. When prompted, click Use your passkey.
  3. Follow the onscreen instructions based on your setup:
    • Same device: Complete the log in process directly on that device.
    • Different device: Scan the QR code shown on your screen using the device that holds your passkey, then follow the instructions to finish logging in.
  1. Enter your email address and tap Continue.  
    • If a passkey is available on your device, you don’t need to enter an email address.
  2. When prompted, tap Use your passkey.
  3. Follow the onscreen instructions based on your setup:
    • Same device: Complete the log in process directly on your mobile device.
    • Different device: Tap Sign In with Another Device, then scan the QR code shown on your screen using the device that holds your passkey. Follow the instructions to finish logging in.

Note 

  • If multiple passkeys are detected on your account, you’ll be asked to select the one you’d like to use after clicking Use your passkey.

Passkeys and 2-factor authentication

Logging in with a passkey bypasses any existing 2-factor authentication steps you’ve set up for your account, including team accounts where the admin has set 2-factor authentication as a requirement.

When you use either biometrics or a physical key that requires a pin to access your account through passkeys, this automatically satisfies the requirement for a second factor. This means that passkeys can replace security codes by text message and authenticator app.

If you already use 2-factor authentication, you don’t have to use your passkey every time you log in. You can still choose to verify with your existing 2-factor authentication method, such as SMS or an authenticator app. This can be helpful if you don’t have access to your passkey.

Important: Even if you have a passkey, your account isn’t more secure until you also set up 2-factor authentication. Without it, an attacker could still log in using only your password. Learn how to set up 2-factor authentication.

Removing a passkey from your account

To remove a saved passkey from your Dropbox account:

  1. Log in to dropbox.com.
  2. Click your avatar (profile picture or initials).
    • Depending on your plan, your avatar may appear in the top-right or bottom-left.
  3. Click Settings.
  4. Click the Security tab.
  5. Under Passkeys, click Manage passkeys.
  6. Click ☑ (delete) next to the passkey you want to remove.
  7. Enter your Dropbox account password and click Next.
  8. Click Delete.
  9. To fully remove the passkey, delete it from your device’s credential manager as well. Steps may vary depending on your device or browser.
  1. Open the Dropbox mobile app.
  2. Tap  (account) in the bottom-right.
  3. Tap Passkeys.
  4. Tap ☑ (delete) next to the passkey you want to remove. 
  5. Enter your Dropbox account password and tap Next.
  6. Tap Delete.
  7. To fully remove the passkey, delete it from your device’s credential manager as well. Steps may vary depending on your device or browser.
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