How to Import Passwords into Google Chrome Using a CSV File

Lee Stanton February 9, 2023

Unfortunately, Google Chrome doesn’t offer too many options when it comes to importing passwords. To import passwords, you’re going to have to rely on CSV (comma-separated values) files.

Thankfully, most web browsers, Chrome included, allow the user to export passwords in the form of spreadsheets. Using CSV files to import passwords is a whole different story. The problem is that Chrome’s CSV import feature is still in its experimental stage, meaning that you will need to enable it manually if you want to make use of it.

In this entry, we’re going to help you import passwords into Google Chrome via a CSV file and dive a bit deeper into the subject.

How to Import Password into Google Chrome using a CSV File

There are three great methods for importing passwords into Google Chrome using CSV files. The first method includes tweaking your Google Chrome settings and enabling the experimental feature.

However, your Chrome version may not have the feature present. Don’t worry; this is where you’ll find the additional two methods listed below helpful. So, let’s dive into them.

1. Enabling the Password Import Flag

The most straightforward way to get the experimental feature up and running is using the Chrome Experiments panel. This is a “hidden” Chrome option that lists the available experimental features that Google Chrome plans on releasing at some point.

Here’s how to access the Experiments panel and enable the Password Import Flag.

Open Google Chrome.
Now, type chrome://flags in the address bar and hit Enter.
Next, type password import into the search bar.
Then, click the drop-down menu on the right.
Next, select Enabled.
A Relaunch button should appear in the bottom right-hand corner of the page; click it.
Now, click the three-dot icon in the upper right-hand corner of the Chrome browser.
Select Settings from the drop-down menu.
Under Autofill, click Passwords.
Navigate to the Saved Passwords section and click the three-dot icon to the far right.
Then, select Import.
Find and select the CSV file that you wish to import.
Click Open.

This method should import all the passwords from the CSV file and merge them with the existing ones in Chrome. Note that the entries that are similar are replaced. Turn the Password Import Flag off after importing the passwords by navigating back to the Experiments panel. Then, change the flag from Enabled back to Default.

However, in some Chrome versions, you won’t be able to find the Password Import Flag in the Experiments tab in the first place.

2. Enabling CSV Password Import using CMD Prompt

Whenever a feature is missing, whether we’re talking about Windows or macOS, a tech-savvy individual will break out the Command Prompt on Windows or the Terminal feature on Apple computers. Essentially, you can force Chrome to activate its hidden password import ability using CSV.

The downside here is that you’re going to have to go through all the steps listed below whenever you wish to import passwords via CSV in Chrome. However, it’s unlikely that importing passwords into Chrome is something you’ll be doing regularly.

Go to the Start menu.
Type in cmd.
Now, click on the Command Prompt entry to open it.
Paste this command: cd “\Program Files \Google\Chrome\Application” into the console and hit Enter.
Next, paste this command: chrome.exe -enable-features=PasswordImport and hit Enter.
In the Chrome window (it launches automatically after entering the said commands), go to Settings.
Then navigate to Passwords.
Under Saved Passwords, select the three-dot icon.
Select Import.
Import the CSV file and confirm.

3. Enabling CSV in macOS Via the Terminal

Open the Finder.
Now, select Go.
From the drop-down menu, click Utilities.
In the next window, double-click the Terminal entry.
Once the Terminal is open, paste this command /Applications/Google\ Chrome.app/Contents/MacOS/Google\ Chrome -enable-features=PasswordImport and hit Enter.
Then, Google Chrome will start automatically, click on the menu in the top-right corner and select Settings.
Navigate to Passwords.
To the right of Saved Passwords, select the three-dot icon.
Now, click Import.
Choose the CSV file and confirm.

This is the most widely used method of importing passwords into Google Chrome via CSV files when the import option isn’t found under Extras. You can also do this via Chrome’s built-in DevTools functionality.

4. Enabling CSV Password Import using DevTools

If you prefer working in DevTools to Command Prompt/Terminal, you’ll like this method of unhiding the import option better. This way is generally preferred by web developers who are familiar with DevTools.

Once again, open Google Chrome.
Now, go to Settings.
Select Passwords.
Under Saved Passwords, locate the three-dot icon (mentioned above).
Right-click the Export Passwords option (the only available one) from the drop-down menu, select Inspect, and a panel to the right of the browser window will appear.
Locate the word hidden just above the part of the code that’s highlighted automatically.
Now, double-click on hidden.
Next, hit Delete on your keyboard and then hit Enter.
Now, focus away from the DevTools panel and onto the Google Chrome interface.
Click the three-dot icon to the far right of Saved Passwords.
An Import option should be available; click it.
Select the CSV file that you want to upload.
Click on Open to confirm.

Keep in mind this code change (deleting the word “hidden”) isn’t permanent. You can exit the DevTools pane, and the Import option will still be there. However, the moment you reload the page, the word will automatically reappear in DevTools.

Only the site owner can make permanent changes to a particular page. You’ll have to repeat this method each time you wish to import passwords via a CSV file.

Importing Passwords to Chrome using Your Google Account

If you couldn’t get any of the previously mentioned methods to work, then you’ll have to use your Google Account to import passwords.

Open up Chrome, go to passwords.google.com, and sign in to your Google Account if needed.
Now, select Settings and the gear icon in the top-right corner.
Then click on Import.
Then, click Select File.
Locate and select the .csv file you want, and then click on Import.

If you have the option selected, this will sync your passwords across all devices where you’re logged into your Google account.

Additional FAQs

Google Chrome is an ever-evolving web browser. There’s always something new to learn. That’s why we included this section to answer more of your commonly asked questions.

1. Can I Import a CSV Password Back to Chrome?

Whether you’re importing a password from one device to another in CSV format or want to import the CSV password that you’ve just exported from Chrome, you can do it following one of the methods mentioned above.

If the Password Import Flag feature isn’t available under Experiments in your browser’s edition, use the Command Prompt, Terminal, or DevTools in Chrome.

Google Chrome should help you migrate passwords from one device to another if you were using Chrome, so there is no need to resort to using CSV files.

2. Can I Import a CSV File into Edge?

Microsoft Edge is constantly running behind other browsers, and, as of recently, it has introduced a Chrome-like appearance, allowing the user to import bookmarks and various other settings. Importing passwords using Edge, unfortunately, isn’t possible. Such a feature doesn’t exist and isn’t even included as a hidden option, as the case is with Chrome.

You can import the saved passwords from any other installed browser, though.

1. Open the Edge browser and click the three-dot icon in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.

2. Click Favorites.

3. Click the three-dot icon in the Favorites window.

4. Select Import favorites.

5. Select the browser you want to import the passwords from and uncheck everything except the Saved passwords entry.

6. Select Import.

3. How Do I Export Chrome Passwords to CSV?

Although importing CSV passwords into Chrome is somewhat complicated and may involve using minimal coding, exporting it is very straightforward. This is because the CSV export feature isn’t experimental – it’s there in every version of the Chrome browser. Here’s how to export Chrome passwords to CSV.

1. Open the Chrome browser and click the three-dot icon in the top-right corner.

2. Now, navigate to Settings and click on Autofill in the side menu on the left.

3. Then, click on Passwords.

4. Then, click the three-dot icon next to Saved Passwords and select Export passwords.

5. Click Export Password. Make sure that under Save as type, it says “Microsoft Excel Comma Separated Values File.”

6. Click Save to export all your Chrome passwords as a CSV file.

4. How Do I Import Passwords to Chrome?

Unfortunately, Chrome truly lacks in the password importing department. The only way to do it is by having a CSV file. You still have to use a hidden feature in Chrome called Password Import Flag.

Unhiding it is relatively straightforward via the Experiments tab, but sometimes, this feature isn’t present even there. This means working with Command Prompt, Terminal, or in DevTools.

Fortunately, if you stick to the guidelines mentioned throughout the text, you’ll be able to import passwords in no time.

5. How Do I Import a Password from Google Chrome?

Password importing mechanics vary from browser to browser. For instance, if you’re using Edge, you can transfer the passwords pretty much automatically from any browser, including Chrome. For instance, Firefox allows automatic imports and importing from a file (CSV). When it comes to Opera, things work the same as on Google Chrome.

Importing Passwords to Google Chrome

Using CSV files for importing login info to a modern browser is a bit of an outdated method. Unfortunately, Google Chrome doesn’t give you a lot of wiggle room. In any case, even if you have to resort to a bit of basic coding (it’s as easy as using the copy/paste function and/or deleting a phrase), activating the password import option is very simple and shouldn’t cause you any problems.

We hope that we’ve helped you import login info to your Google Chrome browser using a CSV file. If you have questions or anything else to add, hit the comments below and let us know.