How to import passwords to the Apple Passwords app

The public betas for Apple’s latest major software updates, such as iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia , have been out for about a month now. One of the most anticipated changes coming to almost the entire Apple lineup has been the Passwords app , which is the pre-existing Apple password management all rolled into one central app. With the betas now widely available, the Passwords app is officially usable.

In typical Apple fashion, it’s easy enough to get the ball rolling with Apple Passwords. However, for those not already using Apple’s built-in password Keychain features, there may be a couple of obstacles between you and using the new software. But, with a few simple steps, you’ll be up and running in no time.

What to expect when you open the app for the first time

Simple setup for Apple Keychain users

Upon opening the Passwords app for the first time, you’ll be met with a brief screen telling you what to expect out of the app, as well as prompts to set up notifications and autofill. If you’re already utilizing Apple’s Keychain, you’ll already see your passwords section filled with plenty of logins for the various services you use. Even if you don’t use Apple’s Keychain, you’ll also see a section for Wi-Fi passwords that will be filled with a record of every Wi-Fi password you’ve entered on your phone.

For pre-existing Apple Keychain users, there’s really no further set-up needed. For anyone using a different password manager, such as 1Password or Proton Pass, you need to do a little more legwork. At the moment, there isn’t the ability to import passwords from another service into Apple Passwords on an iPhone or an iPad. The only way to import passwords is on the Mac version of the Passwords app.

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How to import passwords into the Passwords app

As it stands right now, you’ll need a Mac

Importing your passwords from another password manager into the new Passwords app isn’t too much of a hassle, you’ll just need a few things. From the top, you need a Mac running macOS Sequoia. As of the fourth public iOS 18 beta, there’s no way to import passwords from a separate password manager into Apple’s Passwords app.

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With macOS Sequoia loaded up, the only other thing you’ll need to import your passwords into the Passwords app is a .csv from your current password manager. This can usually be downloaded from your current password manager. With the .csv downloaded, the rest of the process is very simple:

1. Open the Passwords app.
2. In the menu bar, click File.
3. Beneath File, select Import Passwords.
4. In the pop-up window, select Choose File.
5. Navigate Finder and select the .csv from your current password manager.

Once you’ve selected your .csv, Passwords will prompt you to review any passwords and usernames it might have had trouble importing. It’s also worth double-checking all of your imported passwords, just to make sure everything has migrated correctly. Once you’re sure everything has carried over correctly, you’re all set to begin using Apple Passwords.

The final step you should take after importing your passwords is to make sure that you delete your .csv file. The .csv file from your previous password manager is a plaintext document containing all the logins you have within your password manager. Out of an abundance of caution, you should make sure that the file only exists for as long as it needs to, and not a second more.

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