How do I export my Safari passwords on my MacBook Pro?

Does anyone use Keeper password or other password managers? I've tried unsuccessfully to download passwords from Safari to Keeper on my MacBook. Very frustrating.


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

MacBook Pro (2017 – 2020)

Posted on Apr 27, 2024 11:27 AM

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Posted on Apr 27, 2024 11:36 AM

I use 1Password. The first step of their instructions would also likely be the first step for other password managers. See below from https://support.1password.com/import-safari/


Step 1: Export your iCloud Passwords on your Mac

IMPORTANT

Before you export your iCloud Passwords, temporarily turn off any backup software you may be using, so the unencrypted export file isn’t backed up.

To export your data from Safari, follow these steps on your Mac:

  1. Open Safari and choose File > Export > Passwords from the menu bar.
  2. Click Export Passwords.
  3. Save the Passwords.csv file to your desktop and enter the password you use to log in to your Mac.


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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 27, 2024 11:36 AM in response to VtGuy

I use 1Password. The first step of their instructions would also likely be the first step for other password managers. See below from https://support.1password.com/import-safari/


Step 1: Export your iCloud Passwords on your Mac

IMPORTANT

Before you export your iCloud Passwords, temporarily turn off any backup software you may be using, so the unencrypted export file isn’t backed up.

To export your data from Safari, follow these steps on your Mac:

  1. Open Safari and choose File > Export > Passwords from the menu bar.
  2. Click Export Passwords.
  3. Save the Passwords.csv file to your desktop and enter the password you use to log in to your Mac.


Apr 28, 2024 8:16 AM in response to VtGuy

VtGuy wrote:

Thanks! When you say temporarily turn off any "backup software" what would that include? I believe the only "backup" I have is iCloud or is there something else? Thanks again!

The reason that they say to turn off backup software is that when you save the civ file to your disk in step 3 it might be backed up and then you would have an unencrypted copy of your passwords stored in your backup and that might expose your passwords to anyone that could access your backup.


Macs cannot backup to iCloud but they can sync files to iCloud. If your csv file did sync with iCloud it would be deleted from iCloud when you delete it from your disc.


Apple offers iCloud Backup for iPhones and iPads but not for Mac computers.


It is possible to sync data from a Mac to iCloud if you turn on those options (e.g., iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive including the Desktop & Documents option). Syncing has some of the benefits of a backup (and the benefit of being offsite) but is not the same as a backup. Major differences include the fact that not everything on your Mac can be synced and the fact that if you delete something, accidentally or otherwise, there is only a limited time period (30 days in most cases) during which it can be recovered.


Also see the Apple article: How to back up your Mac - Official Apple Support


And more information on syncing in:

Set up and use iCloud Photos - Apple Support

and

Set up iCloud Drive on all your devices - Apple Support

and

Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support



Apr 29, 2024 7:53 AM in response to VtGuy

Time Machine is your backup software. It backs up your Mac to your external hard drive.

When you export the CSV file from Safari it could be backed up to your external drive by Time Machine. Someone would have to get access to your external drive to access that CSV file. If you are concerned about that happening, turn off Time Machine before you export the passwords to the CSV file and turn it on again later (after you have deleted the CSV file.


You don't need to do anything on your iPhone or iPad. iCloud Backup on those don't have access to your Mac files.


Finally, do you have iCloud Drive turned on in your Mac? If you do, when you export the CSV file, export it to a location on your hard drive that is not synced with iCloud. For example, export it to your Home folder (that is the one that has a house icon beside it on your Finder sidebar (it can also be accessed via the Finder "Go" menu and then clicking Home).

Apr 27, 2024 11:48 AM in response to VtGuy

Unfortunately, there isn't a direct export feature in Safari to export passwords in a compatible format for third-party password managers. Therefore, manual copying and pasting is currently the only method available for transferring passwords. It can be a bit time-consuming, especially if you have many passwords saved in Safari, but it ensures that your passwords remain secure during the transfer process

Apr 29, 2024 3:16 AM in response to FoxFifth

Thanks again. Just a couple of questions to make sure I have this right. I do have a external hard drive that's connected to my Mac's Time Machine. So if I disconnect the external hard drive I should be alright before the csv file is downloaded. Your made this point: "If your csv file did sync with iCloud it would be deleted from iCloud when you delete it from your disc" . I'm not sure which disc you're referring to and how would I delete it?

I also have password manager on my iPad and iPhone. Since both are synced with my Mac, should I turn off the iCloud backup on those devices before downloading the csv file?

Thanks much for your help. Very much appreciate it.

Apr 27, 2024 11:58 AM in response to VtGuy

judah121 wrote:

Unfortunately, there isn't a direct export feature in Safari to export passwords in a compatible format for third-party password managers. Therefore, manual copying and pasting is currently the only method available for transferring passwords. It can be a bit time-consuming, especially if you have many passwords saved in Safari, but it ensures that your passwords remain secure during the transfer process

Many password managers import the Safari CSV export format. One example is 1Password that I posted above. Another is Dashlane https://support.dashlane.com/hc/en-us/articles/7874371120274-Move-your-data-from-Safari-to-Dashlane

Another is Keeper. See: https://docs.keeper.io/en/v/user-guides/import-records-1/import-from-safari


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How do I export my Safari passwords on my MacBook Pro?

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