The Google Password Manager import tool is getting a handy fix. According to 9to5Google’s November 2026 system update roundup, Play services v26.43 lets you manually pick which login to keep when an imported password or passkey clashes with one you already have.
That means no more guessing which duplicate wins when you switch from another password manager. Google says the update was released on November 2, though features can take weeks to reach every phone.
Quick facts at a glance:
- Update: Google Play services v26.43, released November 2, 2026
- New: you choose which credential to keep when imports conflict
- Works with: passwords and passkeys on Android
- Cost: free, no new app needed
Rollouts are staged, so you may not see the new prompt today. The steps below work either way.
What the new Google Password Manager import option actually does
Before this change, a conflict was settled for you. Google’s own help page says passwords that already exist in Google Password Manager are skipped, not added again.
The new option hands you the choice. If your old app has a newer password for the same site, you can keep that one instead of the older copy.
Google also made switching easier earlier this year. Android Authority reported that the June 2026 Play services release added import and export of passwords and passkeys with other managers like Bitwarden or 1Password. It uses the Credential Exchange standard, which avoids loose CSV files.
How to move your logins in, step by step
There are two routes. The direct app-to-app route is safer, so use it if your old manager supports it.
- Open Google Password Manager settings on your Android phone.
- Tap Import passwords and passkeys and pick your old app.
- Sign in to that app and approve the export.
- Tap Done, then review any conflicts if Google asks.
Passkeys may ask for your recovery key. Keep it handy before you start.
No direct option? Export a CSV from the old app. Its first line needs the column names url, username and password. Then use Chrome settings, Autofill and passwords, Google Password Manager, Settings, Import.
Before you start: a short prep routine
A little prep makes any move smoother. Spend five minutes on it and you will avoid most headaches.
First, update Google Play services and the Chrome app so you have the latest import screens. Next, make sure your phone has a screen lock, because Android will not let you import or export without one.
Then open your old password manager and tidy it up. Delete accounts you closed years ago and fix passwords you already know are outdated. Fewer old entries means fewer conflicts to review later.
Last, keep both apps installed until you have checked a handful of important logins, like email and banking. Only then should you remove the old one.
CSV file or direct transfer: which should you pick?
Both routes end in the same place, but the risk is different. This table compares them using Google’s help page.
| Direct app-to-app | CSV file | |
|---|---|---|
| Passkeys | Supported; may need a recovery key | Built for passwords (url, username, password) |
| Loose file on your phone | No | Yes, anyone using the device can open it |
| Size limit | Not listed by Google | 3,000 passwords per import; 10,000 stored per account |
| After you finish | Nothing to clean up | Delete the file right away |
If you must use a CSV, delete it the moment the import finishes. It holds every password in plain text.
What can still go wrong with a Google Password Manager import
A few quirks are worth knowing before you start, per Google’s help page.
- A screen lock is required for importing and exporting.
- Some app and site names may not map to the right fields, so search for a login that looks missing.
- An empty or malformed source file can make the import fail.
Once you are done, run the exposed and weak password check. It is the quickest way to spot reused logins you brought along.
If you use a password manager for work, see how 1Password is handling AI agent logins. For another recent Android change, read our post on Quick Share photo backup to Windows, which shipped in the same update.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Google Password Manager import passkeys?
Yes. Google’s help page says you can import and export passwords and passkeys. Passkeys may need your recovery key or screen lock.
What happens to duplicate passwords?
Google’s help page says existing passwords are not added again. The new v26.43 option, per 9to5Google, lets you choose which credential to keep.
How many passwords can I import at once?
Up to 3,000 per import, and a Google Account can store up to 10,000, according to Google.
Is a CSV import safe?
Only if you delete the file right after. Direct app-to-app transfer avoids leaving a plain-text file behind.
Our take: use direct transfer and review conflicts slowly
The conflict picker is a small change that fixes a real annoyance. Take the direct route, read each clash, and keep the newest password. Skip the CSV unless you have no other choice, and delete it the second you are done.
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