Importing from a Password Boss export (Legacy)
Learn how to easily export and import your saved credentials from Password Boss
Written by Owen Parry
Updated at April 17th, 2026
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
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
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