If the recent security breaches made you think twice about using LastPass, you may be wondering how to export your LastPass passwords to Dashlane. Since LastPass has removed its free edition (free users can only use it on one device), some users started looking for less restrictive alternatives.
If you’re one of the latter, switching to Dashlane won’t help you much, as the free edition has the same limit. Still, since Dashlane was never hacked or had any serious security issues, moving sensitive data is a more sensible choice than sticking with LastPass.
While these two passwords (opens in a new tab) managers are similar in terms of features and functionality, in light of recent developments – Dashlane seems like a safer choice. Plus, if you upgrade to one of the premium plans, you get some awesome features like a virtual private network (VPN (opens in a new tab)), dark web monitoring and secure file storage.
So if you want to upgrade your password manager from LastPass to Dashlane and move your passwords safely from the former to the latter, here’s a step-by-step guide.
Export your passwords from LastPass
Before you start with the first steps, you should be sure of a few things first. For your online security, do not use anything other than a secure personal computer. After all, you want to export/import your sensitive data via CSV file, and doing so via an insecure device can leave all your data vulnerable to cyber attacks.
To be extra safe, if you’re currently using backup software, turn it off during the export process – you don’t want your unencrypted export file to be backed up.
Another thing you’ll want to do before you crack is to install Dashlane and make sure you have your LastPass app handy.
You can export your passwords from LastPass via your browser (opens in a new tab) the extension or its official website. Although the process is quite similar, we recommend using the official site as it is simpler.
Now let’s start with the first step.
1. Sign in to your LastPass account
To sign in to your LastPass account, you’ll be prompted to enter your email address and master password. So do that and then hit the “Sign In” button – well, just like you did many times before.
At the same time, if you want to do this via the LastPass browser extension, go to your browser and click the “Extensions” button on the top right, the one that looks like a puzzle piece. That will trigger a drop-down menu to appear, so select LastPass on it.
If you’ve enabled multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your account, you’ll also need to verify your identity first.
When you get to your LastPass dashboard, you’ll want to look at the left sidebar and select “Advanced Options” on it. Then click the “Export” button on the right and wait for another page to appear.
3. Enter the master password and download a new CSV file to your computer
As soon as you arrive, you will be prompted to enter your master password, so do so. After this, click on the “Continue” button and hold for a couple of seconds.
A new CSV file titled “lastpass_export.csv” will automatically be saved on your computer – double check that the CSV extension is included though. This file should contain all of your vault data, including all of your passwords, secure notes, credit card details, and such.
Once the download is complete, check the CSV file’s location – you’ll need to use it soon enough. And that’s it, you’ve exported your passwords and other data from LastPass.
Import your passwords into Dashlane
Now that your precious passwords have been exported from LastPass, it’s time to transfer them to your new password manager, Dashlane.
1. Sign in / Sign in to your Dashlane account
First, if you are not logged into your Dashlane account, do so immediately. As with other password managers, you will be asked to enter your email address and master password. Then press the “Log in” button.
While Dashlane users can choose to stay logged in for 14 days straight, don’t do this if you’re not using a secure computer.
2. Open your Dashlane application and click on “Logins”
Once you get to Dashlane’s dashboard, click on “Logins” on the left sidebar menu and then on “Import Data” in the middle of the dashboard. This is the easiest, fastest and most secure way to start adding logins to your Dashlane vault.
3. Go to “Select Source” and select LastPass from the list
After this, you will be asked to select the source from which you want to import the passwords and other data. You’ll see LastPass among other platforms on the list, so go ahead and select it. To proceed to the next step, click the “Get Started” button.
4. Select the CSV file you wish to import, first click on “Next” and then on “Import items”
Now you want to upload the CSV file you exported a couple of steps ago. Once this is done, click the “Next” button and preview the items before importing them.
Here you can choose to import specific items such as logins, such as secure notes, or to skip importing them altogether. Once each item is organized, press the “Import Items” button below.
If the import process was successful (and it should be if you’ve completed all the steps above), you’ll get this message. And that’s it, you’ve exported your LastPass passwords to your new password manager.
Out with the old, in with the new: It’s time to ditch your LastPass account
Before saying your last goodbye to LastPass, it’s smart to delete the unencrypted CSV file from your computer.
Now wave goodbye to your old LastPass account and don’t look back. To do that, go back to your LastPass dashboard and click on “Account Settings” – it’s above the “Advanced Options” you visited before. When a new window pops up, select “My Account” and then select the “Delete or reset account” option.
After this, confirm your choice by clicking yet another “Delete Account” button. Finally, enter your master password and watch as your LastPass account is banished to oblivion.
Don’t forget to ditch any LastPass apps you have installed, whether it’s a desktop app or a browser extension.
