Importing Keychain Passwords to Password Managers

How to export passwords from iCloud keychain

Most password managers support CSV files, an import and export format Apple added to its system with the launch of macOS Monterey. However, exporting passwords from iCloud Keychain can only be done from a Mac or MacBook.

Since exporting iCloud Keychain passwords directly from an iPhone or iPad isn’t possible, Apple users need to first sync their passwords with their macOS device by turning on iCloud Keychain.

After the data is synced, you can use your macOS device to export your passwords into a CSV file. If you don’t own such a device, we recommend manually adding all credentials to the password manager of your choice instead of using a friend or relative’s Mac. The reason is that a CSV file contains all the information in plain text, so borrowing someone’s device to do this can be quite insecure.

To export passwords stored in Keychain on macOS into a CSV file, do the following:

How to import Keychain passwords to third-party passwords managers

With the file ready, it’s time to import your passwords to a third-party password manager. Most solutions in the industry allow users to import data from CSV files, which only takes a few clicks to do. Two excellent options on the market are 1Password and NordPass. They’re reliable and secure password managers with numerous features and affordable prices.

Note that the information in the CSV file needs to match NordPass’s formatting guidelines.

As already mentioned, CSV files are simple spreadsheets containing all your credentials in plain text. Even if you protect the document with a password, it’s fairly simple to access the information. Therefore, keeping it on a computer isn’t safe, and it’s highly recommended to delete the file as soon as the import process is finished.