LastPass, why do you have to do this to us?
James Martin / CNET
If you used the LastPass password manager, you have surely seen the news that you have to start paying for the service from 16 March if you want to sync passwords on different device types and gain access. That’s right, it’s no longer completely free to use LastPass on both your computer and phone – you only need to select one device. I can not tell you how many devices are selected with my password manager – this is a must-have feature for any password manager. Following the announcement, LastPass found itself in the hot seat after web trackers are found in the app, which may give you another reason to discontinue the service.
Read more: LastPass versus 1Password: Which password manager should you use?
If you are not willing to pay LastPass $ 36 per year for a personal account or $ 48 per year for a family account, you will need to deal with the new restriction, or a different password managers.
The easiest way to move from one password manager to another is to run your LastPass information and then enter it into your new software choice.
Below I show you a few different ways you can get your information from LastPass, and then guide you to importing it into another app. I chose Bitwarden for this example, a completely free password manager.
Execute your passwords from your LastPass account
The easiest way to export your credentials from LastPass is to use the browser extension and not the website. I will include instructions for both, but trust me, the extension is the right way.
Open your own web browser and click on the LastPass extension. Enter your master password if prompted. Then choose Account options from the menu followed by Advanced > Export > LastPass CSV file. Enter your master password when prompted.
Use the extension to export your information. It’s easier.
Screenshots by Jason Cipriani / CNET
Your browser is downloading a file named lastpass_export.csv. I suggest moving the file from your Downloads folder to your desktop so that it can be found more easily when you import it into a new service.
If you would rather use the website to export all your information from LastPass, the process is similar, but instead of downloading a CSV file, you need to create one of your own. After logging in to your account on LastPass.com, click on Advanced options in the lower left corner of the page. Click on Export then enter your master password when prompted.
LastPass will generate a CSV list with all your information and display it in your browser tab. Depending on which password manager you go to, you can leave the tab open and copy / paste the information in the input tool, or you will need to create a CSV file yourself.
To do this, you need to copy the text displayed in the browser and then paste it into an app like Numbers on a Mac or Excel on a computer (or Mac). If you do not have access to Excel on a computer, you can use the Notepad app. No matter what app you end up using, make sure you save or export the file as a CSV file. In Notepad, for example, it means you have to go file > Save as and add “.csv” at the end of the file name. Save the new CSV file to your desktop and give it a name like “Lastpass_export.csv” which makes it easy to identify.
It’s important to remember that this file now has all your account logins in plain text. Do not share it with anyone, and I would even go so far as to recommend deleting the file after entering it and verifying that all your information in your new password manager account is accurate.
Bitwarden makes it easy to bring your LastPass credentials with you.
Screenshot by Jason Cipriani / CNET
Enter your information into another service
The entry process will depend on the password manager you switched to. There are many payment options available, and we have a summary of the best password managers which sets out the differences and details of each. It is currently being updated based on the LastPass news, but the information about services like 1Password will still be accurate.
Realizing that LastPass users are looking for a ship, most password managers have published blog posts with instructions showing how to enter your information. For example, 1Password has a directory, as well as Dashlane and Keeper Security.
If you want to stay with a free password manager, Bitwarden is the right way. CNET Senior Editor Rick Broida explain his reasoning because I went with Bitwarden now that LastPass is going to a paid service.
Bitwarden also posted instructions for entering your LastPass account.
To get started, create an account at Bitwarden.com. After signing in, click on the Tools at the top of the page and then select Enter data.
Use the menu to select the format of your file, which will be when you come from LastPass Lastpass (csv). Then select the file that LastPass created and download it to your computer, or you can copy and paste the text in the LastPass output page if you used the site. Finally click on Enter data.
If you do not use a password manager, you can really need to start. It creates, stores and fills in complex passwords in applications or websites without forcing you to remember them or enter them manually. Another way to increase your account security is to enable two-factor authentication for all accounts that support it (most password managers support the storage of your one-time passwords and will also enter them.)