One of the major new features in iOS 18 is the Passwords app. Until now, password and key management was built into Safari and the Settings app on your iPhone. However, Apple wanted to make it more visible, especially as apps and websites are increasingly adopting stronger authentication methods, like verification codes. Having this app directly on your home screen will be very convenient.
The Passwords app is available not only on iOS 18 but also on iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, and visionOS 2. Similar to how it handles your passwords and passcodes, the app “helps you manage your credentials across all your iCloud Keychain devices and notifies you if a password is potentially insecure.” Additionally, it allows you to view stored Wi-Fi keys and easily share passwords and passcodes with trusted contacts.
If you own an iPhone, Mac, or iPad, you’re likely already using Apple’s password-saving feature, but you might also be using other apps for password management. For instance, browsers like Brave, Chrome, or Edge, or popular password managers such as 1Password, Dashlane, or LastPass. In iOS 18, you can import your passwords into the Passwords app, allowing you to keep everything in one place. Here’s how to do it.
How to Copy or Export Your Passwords
The Passwords app in iOS 18 lets you manually add new passwords, but you can only import them one at a time. If you need to transfer a large number of passwords, it’s better to do it from your Mac. On iPhone and iPad, you can only import passwords individually, while on a Mac, you can import many at once. The process is the same as with other password managers—using a document or CSV file.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to importing multiple passwords into the Passwords app on iOS 18:
1. Prepare to Export Passwords:
- First, open the app where your passwords are saved (e.g., Google Chrome, 1Password, or another password manager) on your Mac or PC.
- Navigate to the app’s Settings or Tools menu to locate the Export option. This is often found under File or Tools.
2. Export Passwords as a CSV File:
- Select Export passwords and choose the CSV file format.
- In Google Chrome and other browsers, open the password manager settings, look for Export passwords, and select Download file to save the CSV file with your passwords.
3. Secure Your CSV File:
- Since CSV files are not secure, avoid storing them on your device or in the cloud.
- Once you’ve copied or imported your passwords, delete the CSV file to protect your information.
4. Import Passwords on Mac:
- Open the Passwords app on your Mac.
- Choose the Import option to add multiple passwords at once from your CSV file.
5. Transfer to iPhone/iPad:
- Passwords imported to your Mac’s Passwords app should sync to your iPhone or iPad, allowing you to access them across devices.
For iOS-only imports, remember that you can add passwords one by one directly in the Passwords app, but importing multiple passwords is only possible on a Mac.
How to Import Passwords into the iOS 18 Passwords App
Once you have the CSV file, go to your Mac with macOS Sequoia installed and open the Passwords app. Unlike the iPhone or iPad versions, the Mac version has more menu options for configuration.
Here’s how to import multiple passwords on your Mac using the Passwords app:
- Open the Passwords App on Your Mac:
- Go to the File menu and select Import Passwords.
- Select the CSV File:
- Click on Select a file, then browse your files to find and choose the CSV file you created earlier.
- Import the Passwords:
- Once you’ve selected the file, click on Import to add your passwords to the Passwords app.
- Delete the CSV File:
- After importing, delete the CSV file to protect your information and prevent unauthorized access.
As Apple explains, “The passwords you import won’t replace the passwords you already have in the Passwords app on your Mac. You can review the passwords that couldn’t be imported.” Once the import is done, it’s a good idea to review your passwords for duplicates or outdated ones. The best part is that all your passwords will now be stored in one app, accessible across all your Apple devices.
Since the Passwords app in iOS 18 is compatible with iCloud, the information you save will sync across all your devices where you are signed in with your Apple ID. After a few seconds or minutes, the passwords you imported on your Mac will appear on your iPhone.
To confirm that your passwords are synced across your devices, follow these steps:
- On Your iPhone:
- Go to Settings > tap on your Apple ID at the top.
- Select iCloud > Passwords.
- Ensure the Sync This iPhone option is enabled.
- On Your Mac:
- Open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer macOS versions).
- Go to Apple ID > iCloud.
- Make sure Passwords is checked for syncing.
- On Your iPad:
- Open Settings > tap on your Apple ID at the top.
- Select iCloud > Passwords.
- Confirm that the Sync This iPad option is enabled.
Enabling this setting on each device ensures your passwords are accessible and up-to-date across your iPhone, Mac, and iPad.
