Chapter 4 · 4.1
Importing passwords from Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari
Has your browser been saving your passwords so far? You can move them all to your new manager in one go. This usually works with an export file (CSV). To find out why you need to be careful with that file, see the lesson Moving your passwords to a password manager in the course Switching to a European cloud.
Please note: A CSV export is not encrypted. Anyone who sees the file can see all your passwords. Only export once your new manager is ready, import straight away and delete the file immediately afterwards.
Step 1: export from your browser
| Browser | Where do you find the export option? |
|---|---|
| Chrome | Go to chrome://password-manager/settings, find the option to export passwords and choose to download the file. Chrome asks for your computer's password. |
| Edge | Go to edge://wallet/passwords. The export option is in the menu next to your saved passwords. |
| Firefox | Go to about:logins, click the three dots in the top right and choose to export passwords. |
| Safari on the Mac | In the Passwords app (macOS 15 and later): File menu, export all passwords to a file. In older versions, go through Safari: File menu, Export. |
Save the file somewhere you can easily find it, such as your Downloads folder. Don't save it in a folder that syncs.
Step 2a: import into Bitwarden
- Log in to your vault's website (vault.bitwarden.eu).
- Choose Tools and then Import data.
- Choose My vault as the destination. You can also pick a folder, for example From Chrome.
- Under File format, choose your browser.
- Select the file and click the button to import it.
You can also do this in the browser extension: Settings, then the vault options and Import items. The Bitwarden desktop app can also fetch passwords from Chrome and Edge directly from your browser, without an export file. When importing, choose your browser and then the option to import directly from the browser. This doesn't work with the version from your system's app store.
Step 2b: import into KeePassXC
- Open KeePassXC and choose Database, Import. Or click Import File on the start screen.
- Choose CSV and select the file from your browser.
- Choose whether to import into a new database or your existing one.
- Check in the preview at the bottom that the columns are correct: title, username, password and URL. Adjust the column mapping if needed.
- Complete the import and save your database.
Afterwards: tidy up
- Delete the export file straight away and empty your bin. The file contains all your passwords as readable text. Don't email it, don't put it in your Nextcloud and don't leave it on your desktop.
- Check a few items in your new manager: are the username, password and address correct?
- Don't import twice. Bitwarden doesn't check for duplicate items. A second import duplicates everything.
- Clean up the old location once everything is in place: delete the passwords from your browser or cancel your old manager.
- Replace weak and reused passwords, starting with your most important accounts. Bitwarden has Reports for this, such as Reused passwords and Weak passwords. KeePassXC has Database Reports with a health check.
Tip: Once you've switched, turn off password saving in your browser. Otherwise your browser will keep storing new passwords in the old place (see Installing Bitwarden in your browser, on your computer and on your phone).