Struggling to move all your logins from your browser’s saved passwords or an old password manager to a new, more secure home? Believe me, The thought of manually re-entering every single username and password can feel like a monumental task, but what if I told you there’s a much easier way? That’s where importing your passwords via a CSV file comes in. It’s a total game-changer for streamlining your digital life and boosting your online security without the headache of manual entry.

Moving your passwords is a crucial step toward taking control of your online security. Browsers like Chrome or Safari are convenient for saving passwords, but they often lack the robust security features, cross-platform syncing, and advanced tools like password auditing or secure sharing that a dedicated password manager offers. Switching to a specialized tool means better encryption, stronger password generation, and a centralized, highly secure vault for all your digital keys. If you’re looking to upgrade your digital defense, a top-tier password manager like NordPass can make all the difference. Click here to check out NordPass and secure your digital life today!

In this guide, we’re going to walk through everything you need to know about importing your passwords using a CSV file. We’ll cover how to export your data, prepare your CSV file, and then import it into some of the most popular password managers out there, including Google, Apple, Norton, Kaspersky, and Keeper. Plus, we’ll tackle common issues and share best practices to make sure your transition is as smooth and secure as possible. Ready to ditch the password chaos and embrace a more organized, impenetrable online presence? Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

Understanding the CSV Format and Why It Matters

Before we jump into the “how-to,” let’s quickly talk about what a CSV file is and why it’s so central to this process. CSV stands for “Comma-Separated Values.” Think of it as a plain text file where each line is a new record like a single login entry, and the values within that record like the website, username, and password are separated by commas. It’s a universal language for data, making it super handy for transferring information between different applications.

However, here’s the kicker: not all CSVs are created equal. Different password managers often expect the data in a slightly different order or with specific column headers. If your CSV isn’t formatted correctly, your new password manager might get confused and either fail to import your data or import it incorrectly. This is why a little preparation goes a long way.

What to look for in a CSV file for password import:

Standard Headers: Most password managers look for columns like url, username, and password. Some might also accept name or title for the website, or note for additional information.
Delimiter: The “comma” in Comma-Separated Values is important. Sometimes, spreadsheet programs might default to semicolons or tabs, which can cause import errors.
Encoding: For all your special characters and accents to show up correctly, ensure your CSV file is saved with UTF-8 encoding. This is usually an option when you save your file from a spreadsheet program.

Step 1: Exporting Your Passwords to a CSV File

The first step in this journey is to get your passwords out of their current home. This could be your web browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge or another password manager you’re moving away from. The exact steps vary, but the general idea is the same. Your Ultimate Guide to Password Apps for iOS 18: Beyond Apple’s Built-in Protection

General Export Process:

Open your current password source: Go to the settings or preferences section of your browser or old password manager.
Look for “Export” or “Import/Export” options: This is usually found under security, autofill, or a dedicated password section.
Choose CSV format: When prompted, make sure to select .csv as your export file type.
Save the file securely: Your exported CSV file contains all your passwords in plain text! This means anyone who gets their hands on it can see your logins. Save it to a temporary, secure location on your computer, like your desktop, and make sure to delete it immediately after you’ve successfully imported your passwords into your new manager.

Quick Tip: Some password managers, like LastPass, might offer encrypted export options. If available, always choose the encrypted file, though you’ll still likely need a plain text CSV for import into a different manager.

Step 2: Preparing Your CSV File for Import If Needed

This is often the most critical step, especially if you’re moving between different systems that have slightly different CSV requirements. While some tools are smart enough to map columns automatically, others are quite picky.

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Open the CSV in a Spreadsheet Editor: Use a program like Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or Apple Numbers to open your .csv file. These tools make it easy to see the data in a clear, tabular format.
Review Column Headers: Look at the very first row. This row contains your column headers. Compare these to the format your new password manager expects.
- For example, Google Password Manager specifically looks for url,username,password.
- NordPass provides a template or specific format.
- Kaspersky might require Group, Title, Username, Password, URL, Notes.
Rename or Rearrange Columns: If your current CSV has headers like website, login, and passkey, you might need to rename them to url, username, and password respectively, or whatever your target password manager prefers. You might also need to rearrange the column order.
Check for Missing Data: Ensure each entry has a URL, username, and password. Incomplete entries might be skipped during import.
Clean Up: Remove any unnecessary columns or rows that aren’t relevant to your new password manager. This helps avoid clutter and potential import errors.
Save as UTF-8 CSV: When you’re done editing, make sure to “Save As” and select “CSV Comma delimited” or “CSV UTF-8” from the file type options. Always choose UTF-8 if available.

Step 3: Importing Passwords into Popular Password Managers

Now for the main event! Here’s how to get your carefully prepared CSV file into some of the most common password managers.

Importing to Google Password Manager and Chrome

If you’re using Chrome as your primary browser, your passwords are often managed by Google Password Manager. This makes importing quite straightforward.

Go to Google Password Manager: Open your Chrome browser and head over to passwords.google.com. You might need to sign in to your Google Account.
Find the Import Option: In the top right corner, look for a Settings icon often a gear symbol or simply a direct Import button.
Select “Import”: Click on the Import option. You’ll then see an option to Select File.
Choose Your CSV: Navigate to where you saved your prepared .csv file, select it, and click Open or Import.
Review and Confirm: Google Password Manager will typically show you a preview or confirm the import.
Delete the CSV! As soon as you confirm the import is successful, go back to your computer’s temporary storage location and delete that CSV file immediately. Seriously, don’t keep it around. It’s a security risk.

Important Notes for Google/Chrome:

You can import up to 3,000 passwords at a time. If you have more, split your CSV into multiple files. You can store up to 10,000 passwords in your Google Account.
Make sure your CSV has the headers url,username,password in the first line. If they are different, like username,password,website, you’ll need to update them.
For older Chrome versions, you might have needed to enable a “Password Import Flag” in chrome://flags, but typically, the passwords.google.com method is the most reliable and direct way now.

Importing to Apple Passwords iCloud Keychain on iOS 18+/macOS Sequoia

Apple has recently beefed up its native password management with the dedicated “Apple Passwords” app in iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia. This now includes a direct CSV import feature, which is a fantastic improvement. Password manager in safari

On a Mac macOS Sequoia or later:

Open Apple Passwords: You can find this app in your Applications folder.
Go to File > Import Passwords: In the menu bar at the top of your screen, click File, then select Import Passwords.
Choose Your CSV: Click Choose File, then locate and select the .csv file you prepared.
Review and Complete: The app will prompt you to review any entries it couldn’t import and confirm the process.
Secure Your Data: Once imported, Apple Passwords encrypts your data. It’s recommended to use biometric authentication like Face ID or Touch ID for enhanced security.
Delete the CSV! Again, once you’re satisfied, immediately delete the original CSV file from your computer. It’s unencrypted and a major security risk.

On an iPhone or iPad iOS 18.2 or later:

Go to Settings: Open the Settings app on your device.
Navigate to Safari Settings: Scroll down and tap on Apps, then Safari.
Find Import Option: Under “History and Website Data,” tap Import.
Choose File: Tap Choose File, then select the CSV file you exported.
Import: Tap Import to Safari, then Done.
Delete for Security: Apple specifically warns you to delete the imported file for security after the process.

Important Notes for Apple Passwords:

The system might be particular about column headers. Common errors include “missing column labels” or issues with delimiters. Ensure your CSV uses commas and standard headers like Label, User Name, Password, Website, Note or similar combinations that Apple can recognize. If you encounter issues, you might need to try rearranging columns or simplifying your CSV.
Some users report that importing to Apple Passwords is currently best done via a Mac, even for iOS devices, though iOS 18.2 has added direct import.

Importing to Norton Password Manager

Norton Password Manager, often included with Norton 360, also supports importing passwords via CSV.

Open Norton Password Manager Extension: You’ll typically do this through its browser extension Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.
Sign In: Unlock your vault by signing in.
Find Import Data: Look for a settings or menu icon within the extension, and then select Import data to my vault.
Select CSV Source: In the “Import Passwords” window, choose Norton Password Manager CSV or CSV file as the source.
Choose File: Click Select File or drag and drop your file and navigate to your prepared CSV.
Import: Click Import to start the process.
Verify and Delete: Double-check your imported passwords and, you guessed it, delete that temporary CSV file.

Important Notes for Norton: Password manager for ios and windows

Norton often looks for url, username, password as column headers in your CSV.
A peculiar issue sometimes arises with a “Version” column. If present, it needs to be formatted as 2.0 a number rather than 2 text for successful import.

Importing to Kaspersky Password Manager

Kaspersky Password Manager is another popular choice, and it allows for CSV imports.

Open Kaspersky Password Manager: Launch the main application window.
Go to Settings: Click on Additional or a similar menu option, then Settings.
Select Import/Export: Look for the Import/Export section.
Initiate Import: Under “Import from password managers” or “Import from vault,” click Import.
Choose Your CSV: Specify the CSV file you want to import. Kaspersky Password Manager often supports CSV files exported from other popular managers like KeePass, LastPass, 1Password, Norton, and Dashlane.
Click Open and Authenticate: Click Open. You might be prompted to enter your main password for authentication.
Review Report: After import, the application will display a report on the imported data.
Delete the CSV! You know the drill by now.

Important Notes for Kaspersky:

Kaspersky sometimes exports data as a plain TXT file, which isn’t directly importable into other password managers that require CSV. If you’re exporting from Kaspersky, you might need to convert this TXT file to a proper CSV format using a spreadsheet program or a conversion tool.
When preparing a CSV for Kaspersky, typical column headers might include Group, Title, Username, Password, URL, Notes.

Importing to Keeper Password Manager

Keeper is another robust password manager that makes importing fairly straightforward, often with an intelligent column-mapping feature.

Log in to Keeper: Access your Keeper vault, either through the web vault or desktop app.
Go to Settings > Import: Click on your account email address usually in the upper right-hand corner, then navigate to Settings, and then Import.
Select Source: Keeper will ask if the CSV was generated from a specific password manager. If it was, select it from the list. If it’s a generic CSV, choose Text file .csv.
Upload File: Drag your exported CSV file into the designated “Drop a File Here” area, or click to browse and select it.
Map Columns if needed: Keeper often provides a helpful drop-down menu for each column in your CSV, allowing you to manually map them to Keeper’s fields e.g., map “login” to “username”. This is a great feature for handling slightly different CSV formats.
Confirm Import: Review the records and click Import.
Delete the CSV! As always, once you’re sure everything is where it should be, securely delete that unprotected CSV file.

Important Notes for Keeper:

CSV files must be UTF-8 encoded for proper import.
Keeper’s advanced import supports features like folders, subfolders, and custom fields if your CSV is structured accordingly.

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Troubleshooting Common CSV Import Issues

Even with the best preparation, sometimes things don’t go perfectly. Here are some common problems you might run into and how to fix them:

“Missing Column Labels” or “Incorrect Format” Error: This is probably the most frequent issue.
- Solution: Open your CSV in a spreadsheet editor and ensure the first row contains the correct column headers e.g., url,username,password and that they are spelled exactly as your password manager expects. Some managers also need a specific order.
Corrupted Characters / “Garbage” Text:
- Solution: This is almost always an encoding issue. Re-save your CSV file, making sure to select UTF-8 encoding as the file type.
Partial Imports or Skipped Entries:
- Solution: Check the entries that weren’t imported. Are they missing critical information like a URL or password? Do they contain unusual characters that might be breaking the CSV structure e.g., a comma in a username if commas are your delimiter? You might need to manually edit these problematic entries in your CSV or add them manually to your password manager.
Delimiter Issues Semicolons Instead of Commas:
- Solution: Some spreadsheet programs, especially in certain regions, might use semicolons as default delimiters in CSVs. Open your CSV in a plain text editor like Notepad or TextEdit and look for semicolons. If you see them, use your spreadsheet program’s “Find and Replace” feature to change all semicolons . to commas , and then re-save as a CSV.
Password Manager Crashing or Freezing During Import:
- Solution: If you have an extremely large number of passwords thousands, try splitting your CSV file into smaller chunks. For example, Google Password Manager has a 3,000 password limit per import.
Duplicates After Import:
- Solution: Many modern password managers have a built-in feature to detect and merge duplicate entries. Check your new password manager’s settings for a “remove duplicates” tool. If not, you might have to manually clean them up.

Best Practices After Importing Your Passwords

You’ve successfully moved your passwords – awesome! But the job isn’t quite done. There are a few crucial steps to take to maximize your security and streamline your new setup.

Delete the Original CSV File Immediately and Securely: This is non-negotiable. As we’ve emphasized, a CSV file contains your passwords in plain text, making it a massive security vulnerability. Don’t just trash it. empty your computer’s trash or recycle bin. For even greater security, consider using a file shredder tool.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication 2FA for Your Password Manager: Your master password is the key to your entire digital kingdom. Add an extra layer of security with 2FA, typically using an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Authy or a physical security key.
Run a Password Audit: Most good password managers come with a “security dashboard” or “password audit” feature. Use it! This tool will scan your imported passwords for:
- Weak Passwords: Easily guessable or short passwords.
- Reused Passwords: Using the same password across multiple sites.
- Compromised Passwords: Passwords found in known data breaches.
- Solution: Prioritize updating any passwords flagged as weak, reused, or compromised. Start with your most critical accounts email, banking, social media.
Update Weak or Reused Passwords: After the audit, start replacing those risky passwords with strong, unique ones generated by your password manager. This is one of the biggest security benefits of using a dedicated tool.
Remove Saved Passwords from Browsers: Now that your passwords are safe in your new manager, go back to your browsers Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge and delete all saved passwords from their built-in managers. You don’t want old, less secure copies floating around.
Install Browser Extensions and Mobile Apps: Install your new password manager’s browser extension for seamless autofill and password saving, and download its mobile apps to access your vault on all your devices.
Familiarize Yourself with New Features: Take some time to explore your new password manager’s capabilities. Learn how to generate strong passwords, securely share credentials if needed, store secure notes, and use its autofill features effectively.

Why a Dedicated Password Manager is Your Best Bet

You might be thinking, “Well, my browser saves my passwords, isn’t that good enough?” The truth is, while browser-based password managers are convenient, they often fall short when it comes to comprehensive security. Protect Your Job Search: Why a Password Manager is Your Secret Weapon

Dedicated password managers, like the ones we’ve discussed, offer:

Superior Encryption: They use military-grade encryption to protect your data, making it nearly impossible for unauthorized users to access.
Cross-Platform Accessibility: Access your passwords securely on any device – Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android – and across all major browsers.
Robust Security Audits: They actively scan your passwords for weaknesses, duplicates, and breaches, giving you actionable steps to improve your security.
Secure Sharing: Need to share a Wi-Fi password with a guest or a work login with a colleague? Dedicated managers allow you to do this securely without exposing the plaintext password.
Beyond Passwords: Many can also store secure notes, credit card information, addresses, and other sensitive data in an encrypted vault.
Protection Against Phishing: Many can help identify fake websites, preventing you from accidentally entering your credentials into a malicious site.
Passkey Support: As the moves towards passkeys, leading password managers are at the forefront, offering seamless integration and management.

Switching to a dedicated password manager is one of the smartest moves you can make for your digital safety. It’s an investment in peace of mind, knowing your most critical online information is protected by industry-leading security. If you’re ready to make that upgrade, consider exploring a solution like NordPass which makes security intuitive and powerful. Protect your accounts with NordPass – click here to learn more!

Importing your passwords via CSV might seem like a technical hurdle at first, but with this guide, you’ve got all the steps and insights to make the transition smooth and secure. So go ahead, take control of your digital identity, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with truly strong password management!

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is a CSV file and why do password managers use it for import?

A CSV Comma-Separated Values file is a simple text file that stores data in a tabular format, where each piece of information like a URL, username, or password is separated by a comma. Password managers use it because it’s a universal, plain-text format that’s easy for different software to create, read, and interpret, making it ideal for transferring large sets of login credentials from one application to another. Password manager for it

Is it safe to export my passwords into a CSV file?

Exporting passwords into a CSV file is a necessary step for migration, but it carries a significant security risk. The CSV file contains your passwords in plain, unencrypted text, meaning anyone who accesses the file can see all your logins. Because of this, it’s crucial to handle the CSV file with extreme care: save it only to a temporary, secure location on your local device, and delete it immediately and securely after you’ve successfully imported your passwords into your new password manager.

What are the common column headers required in a CSV file for password import?

Most password managers expect specific column headers to correctly map your data. The most common headers are url, username, and password. Some might also accept name or title for the website, and note for additional details. It’s always best to check the specific requirements or download a template from your target password manager’s support page if you’re creating a CSV manually.

My CSV import failed! What should I do?

Don’t panic! Import failures usually stem from a few common issues. First, check the CSV file’s formatting: ensure the column headers are correct and in the expected order, that it uses commas as delimiters not semicolons, and that it’s saved with UTF-8 encoding. Sometimes, a specific entry might be corrupted or missing crucial data like a URL. If you have a large file, try splitting it into smaller chunks, as some managers have import limits. If the issue persists, consult your password manager’s support documentation, as they often have specific troubleshooting guides.

Can I import passwords from my browser’s built-in manager like Chrome or Safari directly to a dedicated password manager?

Yes, most dedicated password managers support importing directly from popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari, often by first exporting your browser’s saved passwords into a CSV file. For Chrome, you’ll export from passwords.google.com. For Safari/Apple Passwords, you’ll find an export option within the app on a Mac or via settings on an iOS device. Once you have that CSV, you can follow the specific import steps for your chosen password manager.

After importing my passwords, should I keep them in my old browser or password manager?

No, it’s highly recommended to delete all your passwords from your old browser’s built-in manager or previous password manager once you’ve successfully migrated them to your new, dedicated password manager. Keeping old copies creates redundant and potentially less secure versions of your sensitive data, increasing your attack surface. Your new password manager is designed to be your single, secure source of truth for all your logins. Why a Password Manager with Entra ID is Your Business’s Cybersecurity Superpower

What are the main benefits of using a dedicated password manager over a browser’s built-in option?

Dedicated password managers offer significantly enhanced security features compared to browser-based options. They provide stronger encryption for your data, robust password auditing to identify weak or reused passwords, and the ability to generate truly unique and complex passwords. They also offer cross-platform syncing, secure sharing features, and often serve as a secure vault for other sensitive information like credit cards and secure notes. This comprehensive approach provides a much higher level of digital security and convenience.

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