1.9.59 — October 13, 2026
This update adds email sign-in, passkey cleanup, and more control over the login screen. If you have customized email templates or exported theme files, review the upgrade steps below.
New and Improved
- Magic Login: Existing users can request a single-use email sign-in link. When enabled with its WordPress Login Screen option, an Email me a sign-in link button with an envelope icon appears on the login screen. After opening the email link, users select Continue, complete any required 2FA, and reach a page on your site. Magic Login is off by default; enable it under Guard Dog → Authentication → Magic Login. A block and shortcode can add the request form to public pages. See Magic Login.
- Passkey cleanup: When users delete their own Guard Dog passkey, supporting browsers and password managers are asked to stop offering it. A saved entry may still need manual removal on a device or in a password manager. See Passkeys.
- Theme headers and footers: The login screen customizer can show your theme's header, footer, or both. These optional controls support classic and block themes and require WordPress 6.2 or later. See Login Screen Customization.
- Login styling: Secondary buttons follow your chosen login colors, and customization continues through the two-factor step.
- Account pages: The account security shortcode adds controls for its 2FA heading, decorative icon, and explanatory text. Passkey and session tables scroll on narrow screens instead of breaking their headers mid-word. See Frontend Account Security.
Check Customized Emails and Theme Exports
Earlier email-template saves could discard the edited body and overwrite the two-factor code email's body. This release fixes those saves, wrong email content, and corrupted or incomplete theme exports.
- Open Guard Dog → Appearance → Email Templates using its Customize button. Review your customized messages, especially Two-Factor Authentication Code, re-enter any missing text, and save each template.
- If you exported email or access-denied templates before updating, back up hand-edited files and re-export supported overrides. Email Verification and Password Expiration use saved settings; they do not support theme export.
- Check delivered HTML and plain-text messages, then complete an email 2FA sign-in with a test account.
See the detailed email recovery steps. Text discarded by an earlier failed save must be entered again.
Requirements
Guard Dog requires WordPress 5.9 or later and PHP 8.1 or later. The optional theme header/footer integration requires WordPress 6.2 or later.