Why Passkey Portability Changes Everything
Passkeys promise stronger protection than traditional passwords by authenticating you with Face ID, Touch ID, or a device passcode instead of a memorised string of characters. They are also far more resistant to phishing, since a passkey created for a legitimate site cannot be reused on a fake one. The catch used to be lock‑in: once your passkeys lived in one app, moving to another password manager was painful or impossible. That friction stopped many users from embracing passkey management. Apple’s Passwords app now supports the FIDO Alliance’s export specifications, allowing you to move passkeys between compatible apps. You can export selected logins from Passwords directly into another manager on the same device, so switching services no longer means abandoning your most secure credentials. This new passkey portability makes adopting passkeys a practical, low‑risk upgrade to your everyday security.
Getting Started: Import, Export and Organise Your Credentials
To make Apple Passwords your central vault, start by importing existing logins. On Mac, open Passwords and go to File > Import Passwords from File to pull data from a CSV you exported from another manager, mapping the columns to usernames, sites and notes. On iPhone or iPad, save the CSV to Files, then head to Settings > Apps > Safari > Import, choose Import from Files, select your CSV and tap Import to Safari; iOS then funnels those credentials into Passwords and suggests deleting the CSV for safety. Once your vault is populated, use the app’s folders and shared groups to separate work, personal and family accounts. When you’re ready to test another manager, you can export logins and passkeys from Passwords using the Export Data to Another App option, keeping your future options open.
Turn Passwords into a Full Security Hub
Apple Passwords can store far more than basic logins, making it a central hub for your iOS security features. For each item, use the Notes field to save security questions, backup codes or recovery keys alongside the account, instead of scattering them in documents or screenshots. Because Notes is searchable, you can also create your own labels—such as “work”, “personal”, “billing” or a specific project name—to quickly surface the right account later. Where services support multi‑factor authentication with time-based one-time passwords (TOTPs), you can add these verification codes directly to Passwords by scanning the site’s QR code or entering a setup key under Edit > Set Up Code. Your iPhone can then autofill these codes during login, streamlining secure sign‑ins without relying on a separate authenticator app or juggling multiple security tools.
Productivity Superpowers: Search Shortcuts, Wi‑Fi QR Codes and Sharing
Beyond basic storage, Apple Passwords hides several productivity boosts. Create a one‑tap search launcher with the Shortcuts app: add a new shortcut, choose Passwords > Search in Passwords, set the text field to Ask Each Time, then Add to Home Screen. You can also trigger it with Back Tap under Settings > Accessibility > Touch, so double‑ or triple‑tapping your iPhone opens instant vault search. For guests, skip reciting your Wi‑Fi password: in Passwords, open Wi‑Fi, tap your current network and choose Show Network QR Code for others to scan. For ongoing collaboration, build shared groups from the folder icon on the main screen, invite trusted contacts and add selected logins. Updates made by anyone in the group sync for everyone, ideal for shared streaming, household or team accounts while still keeping the rest of your vault private.
Make Passkeys and Apple’s Ecosystem Work Together
The real power of Apple Passwords emerges when you combine passkeys with the wider ecosystem. With passkey portability handled by the new FIDO-compatible export flow, you can confidently enable passkeys wherever they’re offered, knowing you’re not trapping yourself in one app. On your devices, set Passwords as the default for both autofill and verification codes so Safari and apps can surface the right credential or TOTP at the right time. Because Passwords is tightly integrated with platform security—leveraging your device’s biometric or passcode unlock—your vault benefits from the same protections you already trust. Use labels, notes and shared groups to keep accounts structured across personal and work devices, and periodically review which sites support passkeys so you can upgrade them. The result is a smoother, more secure sign‑in experience that still lets you switch tools whenever you need.