Unlock With PIN

To set up a PIN for your mobile app:

1. In your Bitwarden app, open the Settings tab, choose the Account security menu, and tap the Unlock with PIN Code option:

   

2. When prompted, enter the PIN you want to use in the popup. Your PIN can be any combination of characters (a-z, 0-9, $, #, etc.).

   tip

   Creating a strong PIN:

   • Avoiding easily guessable digits, like date of birth, especially if you share your device with others.

   • At least 4 characters is required, but using more than the minimum requirement is recommended.

3. When asked whether you want to require unlocking with a biometric or master password when the app is restarted:

   • Choose Yes if you want to require a non-PIN unlock method when Password Manager is launched from a closed state.

   • Choose No if you want to be able to use your PIN when Password Manager is launched from a closed state.

To set up a PIN for your desktop app:

1. open your Settings (on Windows or Linux, File → Settings) (on macOS, Bitwarden → Settings) and scroll to the Security section.

2. Toggle the Unlock with PIN option on:

   

3. When prompted, enter the PIN you want to use in the popup. Your PIN can be any combination of characters (a-z, 0-9, $, #, etc.).

   tip

   Creating a strong PIN:

   • Avoiding easily guessable digits, like date of birth, especially if you share your device with others.

   • At least 4 characters is required, but using more than the minimum requirement is recommended.

4. The Lock with master password on restart option will, by default, require you to enter your master password instead of the PIN when your app restarts. If you want the ability to unlock with a PIN even when the browser restarts, toggle the option off.

   note

   If you turn off this option, the Bitwarden application may not fully purge sensitive data from application memory when entering a locked state. If you are concerned about your device's local memory being compromised, you should keep this option turned on.