Offer to use passkeys even when browser extension is locked
Problem
Currently, Proton Pass only offers passkey sign‑in after the browser extension has been unlocked. This adds unnecessary friction when trying to authenticate quickly.
Proposed Improvement
Allow the extension to present a passkey prompt even while locked.
A smoother flow could look like:
Passkey sign‑in prompt appears
User selects a passkey
User enters their PIN to authorize the passkey
Sign‑in completes without needing to unlock the full extension first
This would make passkey usage faster, more intuitive, and more aligned with how native passkey flows work on modern platforms.
Privacy101
shared this idea
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SchizoidMan1024
commented
Just sent a ticket about this to Proton support. Basically, their answer is that Pass can't know whether a passkey is available for a given site until the extension is unlocked. But imho, it should catch the passkey request, ask for unlock, provide the passkey or forward the request if no passkey available.
This request is the same as <https://protonmail.uservoice.com/forums/953584-proton-pass-authenticator/suggestions/50544537-force-passkey-interception>. So, many people requesting the same and splitting the votes... -
Limeray
commented
@protoblo read the proposal again. The user still has to enter the PIN to USE the passkey.
The problem right now is that when a website prompts for a passkey without the extension being unlocked, the request gets forwarded to the host. You then have to abort that, unlock the extension and try again. -
protablo
commented
If you can login to a website without unlocking the Proton Pass extension using PIN or password, then why have a PIN or password on your extension in the first place?
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Angel Pandey
commented
Alternatively this can also be achieved by implementing https://protonmail.uservoice.com/forums/953584-proton-pass-authenticator/suggestions/50464167 at least for Windows devices.
Not sure why proton seems to add a lot of friction in its tool for an app that is meant to make the experience seamless and smooth.