How to import and export passwords from iCloud Keychains

We’ll show you how to import and export passwords from iCloud Keychains so you don’t forget any. As long as you have a Mac, the steps are very easy to follow. If you use Apple products, you probably store all of your passwords in iCloud Keychain. The biggest problem with this feature is that it only works this way on Apple devices that are synced and when you use Safari as your browser.

This can be a problem if you want your passwords to be easy to get to no matter what device or browser you use. iCloud Keychain has always been a little bit of an island: As long as you stayed in Apple’s strict ecosystem, it was a hidden, safe nirvana. You had to use Safari to get to and add passwords, and there was no good way to export passwords.

But iCloud Keychain (or iCloud Passwords) is becoming less of a closed system over time. For example, you can now use iCloud passwords on a Windows computer, even with a browser from a different company. And with macOS Monterey, Apple added a simple, universal CSV (plain text, not encrypted) import and export feature that is widely used by other password managers like Bitwarden, LastPass, and 1Passwords.

Import iCloud Keychain passwords

It’s easy to bring back the passwords you exported from iCloud Keychain.

• Open Keychain Access as described above.
• Click File > Import Items from the menu bar.
• Locate the file containing the passwords.
• Select the Keychain you want to import to and click Open.
• If prompted, enter the password you set during the export.

Export iCloud Keychain passwords

Starting with macOS Big Sur and later, you can’t export passwords from your Mac’s Keychain Access app. You can only export saved certificates and keys. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to export all of your passwords. So, as you go through this process, if the Export button is greyed out, you can’t export one or more of the items you have chosen.

• Keychain Access should be open on your Mac. You can open the tool by going to Applications > Utilities/Other or by typing “Keychain Access” into Spotlight.
• Choose the items you want to export by clicking on a Keychain at the top and a Category at the bottom. You can choose iCloud at the top and Passwords at the bottom, for example. Please note that in newer versions of macOS, you may not see a bottom list. Instead, they may be listed at the top of the Keychain Access window.
• Click File > Export Items from the menu bar.
• Select a location for the export, give it a name, and click Save.
• If prompted, enter a password. This is the password you’ll use when importing the items on your other computer.

If you’ve tried all of these solutions and you’re still having the same problem in your Mac, you should go to their official Apple Mac website for more information.

FAQ

How do I transfer passwords from Apple keychain?

You can press and hold on the website and then choose AirDrop. You can also choose a website and tap the Share icon in the upper right corner of the screen. Choose the device you want your login information sent to. The device that gets the passwords will automatically open them.

How do I export iCloud Keychain data?

Click File in the top menu bar, and then choose Export from the list that appears. You can choose where the iCloud Keychain data you want to export will go, and then click the Save button to export iCloud Keychain.

What is the difference between iCloud passwords and keychain?

As safe as your keychain password is, so is your local keychain. By default, the password for your keychain is the same as the password you use to log in. You can change it, but you’ll need to unlock it separately when you log in. Your local keychain is stored on your Mac, and you can only access it when you are signed in to your account on your Mac.

Can you retrieve passwords from keychain?

Keychain Access lets you see the keys, certificates, passwords, account information, notes, and other information that is stored in a keychain. If you don’t see a list of keychains in the Keychain Access app on your Mac, choose Window > Keychain Viewer or press Command-1. Choose the keychain you want to look at.