Deciding to switch password managers often feels like it will be a nightmare: you've got dozens or hundreds of logins stored in your current service, and the prospect of manually re-entering them all into a new one is enough to stop most people from even trying.
In practice, the process is simpler than you might think. The first step is to export your passwords from your current password manager by navigating to the settings or 'Tools' section and looking for an option labelled 'Export'. Most managers allow you to choose your file format; most password managers allow you to export your information as a CSV file, which can be opened in spreadsheet applications like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.
Once you've downloaded your passwords, security becomes critical. CSV files are not encrypted, which means your passwords will be stored in plain text and could be easily accessed if the file falls into the wrong hands. This means two things: ensure your computer is secure before exporting, and delete the CSV password file after import so it can't be compromised or accessed by hackers.
Importing into your new manager is equally straightforward. Open your new password manager, navigate the settings menu, and look for an option labelled "Import" or "Import Passwords," which is often found under a section dedicated to managing your vault or settings. Upload your CSV file and follow the prompts.
There's one significant limitation to be aware of: if your CSV file contains 2FA tokens or setup codes, these will be imported into the Note section rather than as active two-factor authentication, and you'll need to turn on 2FA again in the security settings of each website or app. This is actually a safety feature; it ensures attackers can't get both your password and 2FA codes in one file.
It's sensible to confirm export options when choosing a new password manager so you can move later if you ever switch. The best password managers make both import and export simple, which means you're never locked in by your choice. That flexibility is worth prioritising when you're evaluating options.
Before you delete your export file, communicate the transition to all team members and ask them to review their account to ensure no information has been lost. If you spot missing logins, you can repeat the import process or check for common entries that may not have transferred cleanly (some managers handle CSV formatting differently).
The entire process typically takes less than an hour for most users. Once you're confident everything has moved across, delete your CSV export file permanently. You've now got a complete, secure migration to your new manager.