You can bring passwords into PanicVault from other password managers and browsers by importing a CSV file. Imported entries are added directly to the vault you have open, and PanicVault detects which app the file came from automatically.
Before You Import
You must open and unlock a vault first. Importing adds the entries to the currently open vault, so the import command stays disabled until a vault is unlocked. If the menu item is greyed out, unlock a vault and try again.
Starting an Import
- Mac: Choose File > Import Passwords from CSV… from the menu bar, or press Cmd+Shift+I.
- iOS: Tap the "…" (ellipsis) menu in the entry list toolbar and choose Import Passwords from CSV.
Then choose a CSV file. PanicVault reads the file, detects which app it came from, and shows an import sheet.
Supported Formats
PanicVault automatically detects CSV exports from:
- Apple Passwords / Safari
- Chrome, Edge, and other Chromium browsers (including Brave)
- Firefox
- Bitwarden
- KeePassXC
- 1Password 8
Any other CSV also works as long as it has a password column. PanicVault matches the remaining columns — title, username, URL, and notes — by their header names, so most generic exports import correctly without any setup.
The Import Sheet
After you pick a file, the import sheet shows:
- Detected format — the app PanicVault recognized (or “Generic CSV”)
- Entries found — how many rows were parsed into importable entries
- Add to group — the destination group for the imported entries. This defaults to a group named General if your vault has one, otherwise the vault root. You can choose any group you like.
Tap Import to add the entries. When the import finishes, a summary tells you how many entries were imported and how many empty rows were skipped. If you picked the wrong file, tap Choose a Different File before importing.
Two-Factor (TOTP) Columns
If the CSV includes a one-time-password column — such as the OTPAuth column from Apple Passwords or the TOTP column from KeePassXC and Bitwarden — PanicVault imports it into the entry’s One-Time Password field. Those entries generate 2FA codes right away, just like TOTP you set up by hand (see Two-Factor Authentication (TOTP)).
Exporting a CSV from Other Apps
Each source app has its own export command. A few common ones:
- Apple Passwords (Mac) — open the Passwords app and use File > Export to save your passwords as a CSV
- Chrome — open Google Password Manager, go to Settings, and choose Export passwords
- Edge — go to Settings > Profiles > Passwords, then use the "…" menu and choose Export passwords
- Firefox — open Passwords (about:logins), use the "…" menu, and choose Export Logins…
- Bitwarden — in the web or desktop app, choose Tools > Export Vault and pick the .csv format
- KeePassXC — choose Database > Export > Export to CSV…
- 1Password 8 — open the account or vault menu and choose Export, then select CSV
Security Notes
Importing is designed to keep your passwords safe:
- The CSV is parsed entirely in memory. PanicVault never writes the raw CSV file to disk — only the resulting entries are saved into your encrypted vault.
- A CSV export is plaintext — anyone who opens the file can read every password in it. As soon as the import finishes, delete the CSV file, then empty the Trash so it cannot be recovered.
