If you’re an Apple user, chances are you’re using iCloud Keychain to store all your passwords. The most significant limitation of this feature is that it only works on synced Apple devices and when using Safari as the browser. This can be a problem if you want to easily access your passwords regardless of your device or browser.
The only option is to export iCloud Keychain passwords from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and transfer them to another password manager with less restrictions.
If this is you, then you have come to the right place. Let’s get started and transfer all these passwords!
Note. Most of the features below will require a Mac as Apple has only integrated the ability to export iCloud Keychain passwords to macOS.
- How to Export iCloud Keychain Passwords on Mac
- How to Export iCloud Keychain from iPhone or iPad
- Use a Third Party App to Export iCloud Keychain Passwords
How to Export iCloud Keychain Passwords on Mac
If you have found the best password manager for your Mac, the next step is to export your iCloud Keychain from Mac. Don’t worry because it’s pretty easy. You have two options to access them through Safari or System Preferences. I’ll cover both below:
Using Safari:
- Open Safari on Mac.
- Press Cmd + Comma (,). This will open Passwords. Authenticate using your Mac password or Touch ID.
Using system settings:
- Go to the menu bar → click on the Apple logo → System Preferences.
- Click “Passwords”and open by authenticating with your Mac password or Touch ID.
From here you can already export your passwords. Please select your preferred option below.
Directly export your iCloud Keychain from Mac to a CSV file.
From the window, you can export some or all of your passwords from your Mac.
- To select multiple:
- Hold Cmd and select each password.
- Click the three dots icon → select “Export [number] selected passwords”.
- To select all:
- Navigate directly to the three dots icon.
- Select Export All Passwords.
- You will be prompted to confirm the export. Click Export Passwords.
- Enter a file name and select a file destination.
- Enter your password or Touch ID to continue.
Manually copy your passwords from Mac
This can be a hassle, but works if you just want to transfer a few files and don’t want to make extra clicks. Just hover your mouse over the password to open it, or Cmd + click and select “Copy password”to copy it.
AirDrop your iCloud passwords to other Apple devices
The other option you have is to AirDrop your iCloud passwords. This is only possible if the recipient is another Apple device. To do this on your Mac:
- Go to passwords.
- Select the password you want to send to another device.
- Click the Share button → select a device in the AirDrop window.
The receiving device will ask you to open passwords. Enter your passcode, Touch ID, or Face ID on your device. This will automatically save the password on the receiving device.
Export your iCloud Keychain from Mac to third party password managers.
If you have exported iCloud Keychain from your Mac, you will receive a CSV file. You need to use this to export your iCloud Keychain to other browsers or third party password managers.
How to export iCloud Keychain to 1Password:
- Sign in to 1Password.com using Safari or another browser.
- Click your name in the top right corner → Import → iCloud Passwords.
- Select the storage where you want to save it → click inside the dotted box → select the CSV file you exported from your iCloud Keychain.
How to Export iCloud Keychain to LastPass
You can import it into your LastPass account through a browser extension or the LastPass website.
- Sign in with your email address and master password.
- If you are using a browser extension, click Account Settings → Advanced → Other. If you’re on your LastPass website, select More Options → Import → select Other.
- Drag the CSV file into the window, or select Browse Computer and select the CSV file on your computer. Click Open. All items are selected by default. Deselect items you don’t want included in the import.
- Click Import All.
How to Export iCloud Keychain in Chrome
If you primarily use Chrome as a browser and want to export all your iCloud Keychain passwords to a CSV file, here’s what you need to do:
- Go to passwords.google.com.
- Select “Settings”or the gear icon in the upper right corner of the window → “Import”. You will be prompted to sign in to your Google account.
- You will be prompted to import passwords → Select file → Import.
- The window will show you how many passwords have been imported. Click Done.
How to Export iCloud Keychain from iPhone or iPad
If you have an iPhone or iPad, please note that you cannot directly export your entire iCloud Keychain without a Mac.
Turn on iCloud Keychain Sync and Mac Export
The best way is to sync your iCloud Keychain across all your Apple devices. You need to enable iCloud Keychain on your iPhone so that the passwords saved on your iPhone will automatically sync to your Mac.
Once synced, use your Mac to export all your iCloud Keychain passwords to a CSV file and export it to your browser or third party passport manager.
Manually copy your passwords from your iPhone
If you only plan on copying a few passwords, you can simply copy and paste your login details directly from your iPhone. To view your passwords:
- Go to “Settings”→ scroll down to “Passwords”.
- Enter your password or use Face ID.
- Long hold the website whose login details you need. Select Copy username or Copy password. Also, you can click on the hidden password to show the password → click “Copy password”.
You can also ask Siri by saying, “Siri, what’s my [website] password?”Siri will immediately open Passwords. Click on the account and view the password.
AirDrop iCloud Keychain to another Apple device
You can also directly transfer your AirDrop password from your iPhone to another Apple device. You can long press on a website → select AirDrop. Alternatively, you can select a website → tap the Share icon at the top right corner of the screen.
Select the device you want to send your login information to. Passwords will automatically open on the receiving device. As soon as you enter your password or Touch ID, it will immediately open and be saved in Passwords on your device.
Use a third party app
If you don’t want to follow these steps, you can use third party apps like 4uKey Password Manager or EaseUs MobiUnlock.
Note. If you’re using an iPad or iPhone, you’ll still need to connect it to your PC or Mac in order to export your passwords using these third-party apps.
Completion…
Looking for a place to import these passwords, you can check out our roundup of the best password managers for iPhone.
iCloud Keychain is a handy utility that stores all your passwords in one place. However, it’s best used on Apple devices and when using Safari.
This can be very inconvenient if you use other browsers and don’t have full access to all your passwords. Exporting your iCloud Keychain to other browsers or third party managers may be the best option. Which of the following methods did you use? Share them below!