Google brings passkey import and export to Android
Google Password Manager on Android is preparing a major upgrade: native support for passkey import and export. Hidden options uncovered in the app’s settings replace the existing “Import passwords” and “Export passwords” entries with “Import passwords & passkeys” and “Export passwords & passkeys.” Testers report that these new controls are already functional behind the scenes, even though Google has not enabled them broadly for users yet. When activated, they allow passkeys stored in Google Password Manager to be moved into other apps and vice versa, turning Android into a hub for secure credential transfers. Instead of passkeys being locked into a single provider, Google Play Services and Google Password Manager will act as the transport layer, coordinating movement of keys between supported apps. This update positions Google Password Manager Android as a more credible long‑term home for users’ next‑generation login credentials.
Matching Apple’s lead on passkey portability
Apple devices running the latest versions of iOS and macOS already support secure passkey migration to third‑party password managers via an emerging standard known as the Credential Exchange Protocol. Until now, Android lacked an equivalent system-level pathway, even though Google is a key backer of the same protocol. The new passkey import export controls discovered in Google Password Manager narrow that gap considerably. On Android, Credential Exchange Protocol transfers rely on Google Play Services as the underlying infrastructure, so the appearance of a working migration interface strongly suggests that the necessary plumbing is in place. In practical terms, this means Android users should eventually be able to move passkeys as easily as Apple users can today, whether they are transitioning to Google’s own manager, Samsung’s tools, or third‑party apps like Bitwarden. It is a significant step toward platform parity for passkey portability.
Why passkey portability matters for switching password managers
Passkeys solve many of the pain points of traditional passwords, but they also introduced a new worry: getting locked into a single ecosystem. Because a passkey’s private component lives securely on your device and is closely tied to a specific service, moving that credential historically meant cumbersome workarounds or starting over. Google’s upcoming passkey import export capability directly tackles this problem. Once live, users will be able to change password managers without losing their passkeys, making password manager switching far less risky. According to early tests, initiating an import from Google Password Manager prompts you to choose the existing manager that stores your passkeys, then routes you into that app to complete a secure transfer. Support will likely depend on providers adopting the Credential Exchange Protocol, but major names including Google, Apple, Samsung, and several established password managers are already on board, signalling broad interoperability ahead.
Passkeys’ rise and the push for an open ecosystem
Passkeys are gaining momentum as a safer, more convenient alternative to passwords. Instead of typing credentials, users authenticate locally with biometrics or device PINs, while modern cryptography proves their identity to online services. This reduces the risk of phishing, credential stuffing, and reuse of weak passwords. However, true adoption depends on more than security: people need confidence that their credentials will not be trapped in one app or platform. That is why Google’s move to enable passkey portability on Android is so important. By embracing the Credential Exchange Protocol at the system level, Google aligns with other industry players working to make cross‑app, cross‑device transfers simple and secure. As more password managers integrate these capabilities, users will be free to adopt passkeys wherever they are supported today and still retain the option to move later, without having to rebuild their entire authentication footprint from scratch.