Importing from a Password Boss export

Learn how to easily export and import your saved credentials from Password Boss

Updated at December 18th, 2025

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Table of Contents

What You Can Import Supported Export Formats Items You Can Restore Before You Begin Verify You Have the Correct File Security Reminder Importing your Password Boss backup file What Happens After Importing Item Restoration Behavior Sync Across Devices Troubleshooting Import Issues Import Fails to Start Missing Items After Import Incorrect or Old Data Best Practices for Safe Importing Keep a Backup Clean Up After Successful Import Related Articles

Importing data from a Password Boss export file allows you to restore your items or transfer them into a new account. This is especially useful when moving between devices, recovering access to an account, or performing migrations.

What You Can Import

Supported Export Formats

Password Boss supports importing from its native export file types:

JSON (.json) — standard unencrypted export
Encrypted PB backup file (depending on the export source)

Items You Can Restore

The import process can restore:

Passwords
Secure Notes
Personal Information
Digital Wallet items
Identities
Folder structures (if included in the export)

Before You Begin

Verify You Have the Correct File

Ensure you have the valid Password Boss export file:

Exported from File → Export Data in the legacy desktop app
Or exported during a migration or backup process
Confirm the file extension and ensure it has not been modified externally

Security Reminder

Unencrypted .json files contain sensitive data.

Store them securely
Delete the file after import unless needed for future recovery

Importing your Password Boss backup file

WebApp

Note: For users who have migrated to the WebApp experience, imports should be completed through the WebApp.

Open https://app.passwordboss.com
From the menu choose Import passwords -> From Password Managers.
Select the application to import from the list, choose
1. Password Boss Desktop App encrypted export for the legacy desktop application
2. Password Boss Desktop App (json) for the legacy desktop that is not encrypted.
3. Password Boss encrypted export for the WebApp encrypted export
4. Password Boss (json) for the WebApp export that is not encrypted
5. Password Boss Organizational Backup (pbkp6) for an organizational backup provided by your administrator.
6. Password Boss (csv) if you're using the CSV template file to import items.
Select your backup file
If your backup is encrypted, you must enter the email address and Master Password used when the backup file was created.
Click Next
Choose the items to import
Click Import
Your items will be imported into a new folder named PasswordBoss - <mm/dd/yy -time>

Desktop

Open Password Boss.
From the File menu choose Import passwords -> From File.
Select the application to import from the list, choose Password Boss encrypted export if your backup is encrypted, or Password Boss JSON - not encrypted if your backup is not encrypted.
Select your backup file
If your backup is encrypted, you must enter the email address and Master Password used when the backup file was created.
Click Next
Choose the items to import
Click Import
Your items will be imported into a new folder named PasswordBoss - <mm/dd/yy -time>

Mobile (iOS & Android)

Importing is not available directly on mobile.

Use the WebApp or Desktop to import your file
Items will sync automatically to your mobile devices afterward

What Happens After Importing

Item Restoration Behavior

Once the import finishes:

Existing items may be merged or duplicated depending on their data and structure
Folder assignments may be recreated
Tags may need to be reapplied if the export did not contain tagging metadata

Sync Across Devices

Imported items sync across all devices connected to your Password Boss account once the WebApp or desktop completes the process.

Troubleshooting Import Issues

Import Fails to Start

Ensure the file has not been opened or edited in another program
Verify that the file is a Password Boss export, not a CSV from another manager

Missing Items After Import

Check for duplicates under different names
Review Secure Notes for migrated content that may not map cleanly
Confirm that password history or notes history (if any) was not expected to transfer, as history does not import

Incorrect or Old Data

Ensure you exported the most recent file
Confirm no older exports were accidentally selected

Best Practices for Safe Importing

Keep a Backup

Before importing, store a copy of your export file in case you need to re‑import or compare item integrity.

Clean Up After Successful Import

Once you verify all your items were restored correctly:

Delete local unencrypted export files
Review duplicated or outdated items
Reapply tags and Custom Views as needed

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