What each Bitwarden export format keeps
Export from the web app (Tools, Export), the browser extension (Settings, Vault options, Export vault), the desktop app, mobile (Settings, Vault, Export vault), or with bw export in the CLI. Run bw sync first if you use the CLI. Bitwarden decrypts locally, so nothing unencrypted crosses the internet, but the file itself is plaintext unless you choose an encrypted format.
| Format | Logins and notes | Cards and identities | Passkeys | Attachments | Readable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| .csv | Yes, with folder, name, notes, custom fields, URI, username, password and TOTP columns | No | No | No | Anyone who opens the file |
| .json | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Anyone who opens the file |
| .json (Encrypted), Password protected | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Anyone with the file password; any Bitwarden account or 1Password |
| .json (Encrypted), Account restricted | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Only the same Bitwarden account; useless for switching |
| .zip (with attachments) | Yes (as JSON) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Individual vault data only |
What never leaves in an export
- Trash and Sends: Bitwarden says no export format includes them. Empty or restore trash first, and recreate any active Sends elsewhere.
- Organization items: individual exports exclude organization-owned data. Only admins, owners and some custom roles can export organization items, separately.
- Attachments: only the .zip format carries them, and neither destination import guide describes importing that ZIP. Plan to download and re-upload them by hand.
- Older passkeys: Bitwarden warns that passkeys created before release 2024.3.1 carry a use counter and exports of them should not be relied on as long-term backups.
Import into 1Password
1Password requires .json (Encrypted) with Password protected selected; it says unencrypted JSON and account-restricted exports are not currently supported, and CSV files can only be imported in the 1Password apps. If your Bitwarden account uses Argon2id, 1Password says you will see an import error; change the KDF to PBKDF2 under Settings, Security, Keys in the Bitwarden web app, then export again.
In the 1Password app on Mac use File, Import (the other apps use New Item, Migrate data into 1Password), pick a vault, add the file and enter the export password. On 1Password.com select your name, then Import data. 1Password converts Bitwarden logins to Login items and imports credit cards, identities and secure notes. Passkeys and items in shared collections are not imported.
Import into NordPass
The NordPass guide for Bitwarden says to choose the JSON file format when exporting. NordPass accepts Bitwarden CSV and JSON. In NordPass open Settings, scroll to Import and export, select Import items, choose Bitwarden and upload the file. On Android, the import option only covers browsers, so do the import on desktop.
NordPass import guides do not cover passkeys, and its passkey FAQ says there is no option to import or export NordPass passkeys to other password managers, so list every site where you used a Bitwarden passkey and create a new passkey or fall back to a password on each. If a CSV will not import through the Bitwarden option, NordPass suggests its Spreadsheet option with the NordPass CSV template.
Field mapping at a glance
| Bitwarden item | 1Password (encrypted JSON) | NordPass (JSON) |
|---|---|---|
| Logins | Imported as Login items | Imported |
| Secure notes | Imported | Not described; spot-check after import |
| Cards and identities | Imported | Included in the JSON; check after import |
| TOTP seeds (login_totp) | Not described; verify codes match | Not described; verify codes match |
| Passkeys | Not imported | No passkey import documented |
| Shared or organization collections | Not imported | Not in an individual export |
| Attachments | Re-upload manually | Re-upload manually |
| Folders | Not described | Not described |
Handle the export file safely
Bitwarden, 1Password and NordPass all tell you to delete the export file after importing, and NordPass and Bitwarden both say never to send it by email. The password-protected encrypted JSON that 1Password requires is the safest file of the lot; the plain JSON NordPass uses is fully readable. Export to a local folder that does not sync to cloud storage, import straight away, then delete the file and empty the trash.
On a phone, Bitwarden supports direct export on iOS 26 and later and Android 10 and later to apps that support the FIDO Credential Exchange Protocol, which avoids a file entirely. 1Password lists Credential Exchange imports on iOS 26 and Android 14 and later, so check whether the option appears on your device before falling back to a file.
Cancel-after-verify checklist
- Compare item counts in Bitwarden and the new vault; a gap usually means CSV was used or organization items were missed.
- Spot-check ten logins, including two with TOTP codes and two with custom fields.
- Download every attachment while Bitwarden Premium is active: Bitwarden says that after Premium ends you cannot download saved attachments, although they are not deleted.
- Re-create passkeys on each site that used one.
- Rebuild shared collections as 1Password shared vaults or NordPass shared items and invite members.
- Turn on two-step login for the new account and save its recovery or backup codes.
- Use the new vault for a week on every device, then delete the export file.
- Bitwarden subscriptions under 30 days old can be refunded through support; older ones are not eligible. Cancelling Premium returns you to a free account rather than deleting it.
Questions before you decide
Which Bitwarden export format should I use for 1Password?
.json (Encrypted) with Password protected selected. 1Password says unencrypted JSON and account-restricted exports are not supported, and CSV only imports in its apps.
Why does 1Password show an error importing my Bitwarden file?
1Password says its importer errors when the Bitwarden account uses Argon2id. Change the KDF to PBKDF2 in the Bitwarden web app under Settings, Security, Keys, then export and import again.
Will my Bitwarden passkeys move to NordPass or 1Password?
No. 1Password says passkeys are not imported from Bitwarden, and NordPass documents no passkey import; its passkey FAQ says NordPass passkeys cannot be imported or exported to other password managers. Register new passkeys on each site after moving.
Does a Bitwarden CSV export include credit cards?
No. Bitwarden says only JSON exports include cards, identities and passkeys; CSV carries logins and secure notes only.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- Bitwarden: export vault data Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Bitwarden: condition a .csv or .json for import Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Bitwarden: encryption key derivation (KDF algorithms) Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Bitwarden: cancel a subscription Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- 1Password: move your data from Bitwarden Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- 1Password: import data into 1Password Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- NordPass: how to export passwords from Bitwarden to NordPass Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- NordPass: how to import passwords to NordPass Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- NordPass: how to organize a CSV file for import Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- NordPass: passkeys FAQs Accessed 30 Oct 2026
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