I Refused to Use Passkeys Until Apple Added This Feature to Its Passwords App
I’m strongly in favor of using password managers to store your credentials, but so far I’ve resisted prompts that ask me to switch to passkeys, even though passkeys are better than passwords in almost every way. You don’t need to memorize or store a long string of random characters if you use passkeys, because they don’t use a password at all. Instead, you use your device’s authentication method, such as a facial scan, device passcode, or fingerprint unlock, to sign in to your accounts. Access keys are also more resistant to phishing attacks, as your password manager will not allow you to use an access key to log into fake websites created by fraudsters.
Despite these benefits, the big problem for me was that you couldn’t move your passwords from one app to another. If you want to change your password manager, you can easily move your passwords from one to the other, but it was not the same for passwords, at least until now. The FIDO Alliance, an industry body focused on secure authentication, has created a set of specifications that allow you to move your access keys from one application to another, reducing this friction. As it happens, Apple was among the first to offer this feature with the release of iOS 26 late last year.
An import/export option only really works when all the big players support it, and in recent months most major password management apps have integrated this feature. I tested it by moving my passwords from Apple Passwords to 1Password, and the process worked well enough to convince me to finally adopt Passwords. If I choose to replace my password manager tomorrow, I won’t have to worry about being locked out because of my passwords. Here’s how it works with Apple Passwords.
How to export passwords from Apple Passwords
Credit: Pranay Parab
To get started, install and configure the new password manager on the same Apple device that has your Passwords app containing your passwords. Next, open Passwords, go to the home screen, tap the three dots in the upper right corner and select Export data to another application. Manually select all login items that have a password or select all your passwords if you want. Faucet Continue When you’re done, you’ll reach the “Export Passwords” page. Select Continue on this page also. You will see a list of password manager apps that support this feature and you can select the one you want to export to. I chose 1Password and my passwords followed suit. In Passwords for Mac, you can find this feature under File > Export selected items to application.
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How to import passwords into Apple Passwords
Credit: Pranay Parab
If you want to move your passwords from other password management apps, you’ll need to open those apps and use their export feature. This feature is often buried deep in the settings pages, so you should consult the user manuals or guides on your password manager’s site to confirm how this is done. Some apps don’t let you export certain passwords and may require you to export all your data from one app to another. Once you find the export feature in your password manager app, you will encounter the same “Export Passwords” page as Apple Passwords. Hit Continueand the app will show you a list of password managers. Choose Passwords, then choose Continue once again. In Passwords for Mac, you can find this feature under File > Import passwords from file.
