How to Import Your Old Passwords into Apple Passwords

Apple's new Passwords app, introduced with iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia, aims to consolidate your login credentials. While importing your old passwords into the app is possible, the process has limitations and quirks. Here's how to do it efficiently:

How to Import Your Old Passwords into Apple Passwords
iOS
06-12-2024 04:09

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Export Passwords from Your Current Manager

  • Use your current password manager to export your saved passwords.
  • Ensure the file is saved in CSV format (Comma-Separated Values).

2. Use a Mac to Import Passwords

Unfortunately, Apple Passwords only supports importing via the macOS version of the app. If you don’t own a Mac, importing isn’t possible at this time.

3. Import into Apple Passwords

  1. Open Apple Passwords on your Mac.
  2. From the Menu Bar, select File > Import Passwords.
  3. Click Choose File and locate the exported CSV file.
  4. Follow the prompts to import your passwords.

Troubleshooting & Tips

  • Handle Import Errors:
    Apple Passwords may fail to import some entries. This often happens if login credentials lack usernames, emails, or other key details. Review errors and manually add incomplete logins by referring to your original manager.

  • Keep Your Old Manager Temporarily:
    Not all passwords may transfer correctly. Maintain access to your old manager for a few months until you're confident everything is accounted for.

  • Delete the CSV File:
    After importing, delete the CSV file from your computer. The file contains unencrypted passwords, which could pose a security risk if left unprotected.

Limitations of Apple Passwords

  • The app currently focuses on storing login credentials only—it does not manage items like:

    • Credit card details
    • Secure notes
    • Software keys

  • Import functionality is Mac-exclusive, leaving iPhone- or iPad-only users without options for bulk migration.

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