Saving our passwords in the browser is really comfortable when browsing the Internet and having to log in to the web pages we visit. However, having all our data in a browser is one of the reasons that prevent us from changing the browser and trying other options. Fortunately, the password managers included in browsers allow us to easily export all our keys so that we can import them into other programs, such as other password managers or other different web browsers.
Before continuing, we must make one thing very clear. The export function of web browsers saves all our passwords in plain text , without encryption. Browsers export a plain text file (CSV) to us, inside which are the URLs of the websites, the user and the password. Any user who has access to this file will be able to access all of our passwords.
Therefore, it is recommended to carry out this activity on a secure computer and, when we are finished, destroy the TXT file with our passwords to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands.
Export passwords to CVS from the browser
All web browsers are going to offer us this function, although in some of them they may be disabled or more hidden than they should be, for security. Next we will see how we can easily remove passwords from any browser.
Chrome
The export function of Google Chrome passwords has been available for a long time in the browser, and it is also activated by default. To do this, what we have to do is type the following in the address bar, to go to the Chrome passwords section:
chrome://settings/passwords
Here we can see a list with all the passwords that are saved in the browser. We must click on the button that appears above the list of passwords to bring up the menu from which we can choose the possibility of exporting the passwords.
We choose the option to export, and the browser will warn us that if we do so, anyone will be able to see the passwords. We accept the message and then we will have to authenticate ourselves in Windows with the administrator password or Windows Hello.
Now we only have to choose the name and the directory where we want to save this password file and that’s it. Chrome exports the passwords in a CSV, which we can easily open with Excel.
Firefox
The export passwords feature is available as of Firefox 78 in its Lockwise password manager. In order to export these passwords, what we must do is open the browser password manager by typing in the address bar:
about:logins
Once here, we will open the options menu of the password manager and we will choose the option “Export logins”.
Firefox will notify us that the passwords will be saved in plain text. We accept the message, and then we will have to authenticate ourselves with the Windows password or Windows Hello.
Ready. Like Chrome, Firefox will export the passwords in a CSV file, which can be perfectly opened with Excel
Edge
Since Microsoft Edge is based on Chromium, the way to export the passwords of this browser is practically the same as that of Chrome. What you need to do is type the following in the address bar to go directly to the Edge password manager section:
edge://settings/passwords
Here we will click on the button of the 3 points that appears next to the saved passwords and we will choose the option to export passwords, as shown in the image.
Like the other browsers, Edge will warn us that the passwords are going to be exported in plain text and that anyone could see them. We accept, and we will have to authenticate with Windows Hello or with a password to continue.
Edge will export the passwords in a CSV file, which we can open with Excel, or a similar program, to see all the passwords.
Opera
Opera is also based on Chromium, therefore, the process to export the passwords is identical to that of Chrome or Edge. We must access the “operate: // settings / passwords” section from the address bar and export the passwords in the same way as in the other two browsers.
This browser also exports them in a CSV file.
Import passwords from CSV
Now that we have our exported passwords, what should we do? We can save the CSV file as a backup copy of them, although if we have synchronization with the cloud (something that all browsers offer us) it is actually unnecessary.
The most interesting thing about passwords is being able to import them into other browsers so that, if we change the browser, the passwords always come with us. Next we will see how it is done.
Chrome
In Google Chrome, this feature is disabled by default. Therefore, if we want to use it, the first thing we will have to do is enable it from the flags. To do this, we will write the following in the address bar and activate this experimental function.
chrome://flags/#PasswordImport
Once the experimental function is enabled, we go to the Chrome passwords section and, when clicking on the button of the 3 points, a new option will appear called “Import”.
We select the CSV file that we want (it does not matter if it is from Chrome, Firefox or any other browser, it is compatible) and all these passwords will appear instantly in the browser.
Firefox
In Firefox, the option to import passwords from a CSV file is not available. Therefore, it is not possible to add passwords from this file in plain text to the browser. What Firefox does allow us to do is directly import all the passwords of any of the browsers that we have installed on the computer. To do this, we just have to go to the password manager, select the option to import from another browser and follow the wizard that appears.
In case of having to import, yes or yes, the passwords from a CSV file, we will have to resort to third-party tools that allow us to do it, such as ffpass .
Edge
Although the new Edge is based on Chromium, there is no possibility to import passwords from a CSV to the browser. There is also no flag that allows us to enable this feature.
Opera
Opera does have this feature, just like Chrome. To be able to use it we will have to activate the corresponding flag, just like in Google Chrome, and follow the same steps in this alternative browser.