Issue
Recently, I encountered a somewhat puzzling issue while using the Bitwarden extension for Edge on macOS.
Although I had clearly checked the option Unlock with biometrics, the fingerprint unlock button remained grayed out after locking.
Touch ID works normally on the desktop, and the browser extension can be unlocked using a PIN—yet fingerprint authentication fails. Everything that should be enabled appears to be enabled, yet it still doesn’t function.
How Was It Ultimately Resolved?
- In Edge’s extension management page, locate Bitwarden, go to “Details”, and enable “Allow access to file URLs”.
- Unlock the extension using your PIN or master password, then navigate to
Settings → Account security. - Uncheck
Unlock with biometrics, then re-check it, and complete the subsequent authorization prompts.
After completing these steps, fingerprint unlocking works as expected.
Why Does Touch ID Work on the Desktop but Not in the Extension?
Fingerprint unlocking in the Edge extension requires coordination with the Bitwarden desktop application. The fact that Touch ID works on the desktop only confirms that the desktop-side functionality is operating correctly; browser-specific permissions and integrations must be verified separately.
Bitwarden’s official documentation also notes that Chromium-based browsers like Edge may require enabling “Allow access to file URLs”, and the desktop application must remain logged in and running during use.