Summary of Android makes switching password managers safer and easier: No more risky file exports
- Android now offers a system-level way to move passwords and passkeys between credential managers without creating an unencrypted file.
- The transfer happens in seconds directly between apps, with Android coordinating the handoff and your old password manager asking for authorization.
- Google Password Manager, 1Password, Bitwarden, and Dashlane support the feature at launch, with more partners expected later.
- Passkeys can now be transferred for the first time, removing the need to recreate them manually on each site.
- The feature relies on the Credentials Transfer API inside Android's Credential Manager, so other developers can add support to their own apps.
What changed on Android
If you have ever tried to switch password managers on your phone, you probably remember the chore of exporting your logins into a plain text file. That file sat unencrypted on your device, wide open to any app or person who got their hands on it. Worse, passkeys—the newer, more secure way to sign in—could not be transferred at all. You had to recreate them manually on every single site.
Android just fixed that. On September 10, 2026, Google announced a fresh system-level way to move passwords and passkeys between credential managers. The whole process stays inside the operating system, meaning your secrets never touch an insecure file or leave your control. Let's walk through what changed, how it works, and why it matters for your daily digital life.
The old way was unsafe
What this means for Android makes switching password managers safer and easier
Until now, moving passwords often meant exporting them as a CSV file. That file was easy to read if someone grabbed your phone. Passkeys had no export option at all. According to Google's announcement, you had to 'recreate them across multiple sites and apps' if you wanted to switch providers.
The new method works right inside Android's Credential Manager. Your new password manager asks Android to handle the heavy lifting. Android spots every password manager already installed on your phone and lets you pick which one to import from. After you tap continue, your old password manager asks you to review and authorize the transfer. The whole exchange takes 'just a few seconds,' Google says.
How the transfer works step by step
When you are ready to switch, open your new password manager app and look for an import or copy option. The app passes the job to Android. The system shows you a list of existing password managers on your device. You pick one, tap continue, and your old credential manager asks you to confirm. Once you authorize, the data moves directly between the apps.
No intermediate file is created. No unprotected copy ever hits your storage. Android handles the entire handshake, and the transfer finishes in seconds. Google designed this flow to give you 'complete control over your data and the freedom to switch providers whenever you want,' as explained in the official blog post.
Which apps work right now
Four major password managers support this feature right away:
- Google Password Manager
- 1Password
- Bitwarden Password Manager
- Dashlane
Google stated that more partners will follow. The system relies on the Credentials Transfer API inside Android's Credential Manager, so any developer can add support by building that API into their app. If you use a smaller or niche password manager, you may need to wait until its developer updates the app.
What this means for you
For the average person, this change removes the biggest reason to avoid switching password managers. You are no longer locked into one provider just because moving seemed risky or time-consuming. If you find a better deal, better features, or better security somewhere else, you can leave without leaving your credentials behind.
This also helps if you want to consolidate into one manager. Maybe you have passwords spread across Google Password Manager and Bitwarden. Now you can pull everything into one place without manually copying entries or exporting risky files.
Why passkeys matter here
Passkeys are still relatively new, but they are rolling out across more mobile apps and websites every month. Until now, switching password managers meant losing every passkey you set up. You had to revisit each website, log in, and create a new passkey from scratch. That is a tedious process that discouraged people from trying a different credential manager.
With this update, passkeys travel alongside your traditional passwords. If you ever decide to switch, your passkeys come with you. That removes one of the biggest practical barriers to adopting passkeys in the first place. You do not have to worry about being locked into a single ecosystem.
How to get started and what to watch for: Android No
Check which of your current password managers supports the new system. If your manager is listed—Google Password Manager, 1Password, Bitwarden, or Dashlane—you can try the transfer today. If it is not listed, keep an eye on that app's update notes. Developers can join by supporting the Credentials Transfer API.
When you do switch, you will follow the same simple flow every time. No more hunting for an export button, no more worrying about leftover files on your phone. Android makes the process feel as natural as installing a new app. If you are curious about how we test these features, you can read our review methodology for more details on how MobileBurn evaluates real-world security tools.