How to Switch Your Passwords from LastPass to KeePass

Looking for an alternative to LastPass? KeePass is a great option that is easy to migrate your LastPass data to.

A password manager is vital for keeping track of your passwords and the hundreds of accounts you probably have. LastPass has proven to be a very popular password manager, but its decision to limit its free users to a single device is unpopular. Despite forgiving LastPass for its previous security issues, many users are now looking for a new password manager.

KeePass is a great alternative to LastPass. Here's how to migrate your passwords and switch from LastPass to KeePass on desktop and mobile.

Why Switch From LastPass?

LastPass is a polished, versatile password manager capable of storing usernames and passwords under a master password. In short, all you need to remember is a single password to unlock the others. Available as a browser extension and mobile app, LastPass can be unlocked either with the master password or with your phone's biometric system.

It sounds great, but LastPass has struggled with various issues over the years.

• In 2017 a client-side vulnerability was discovered that could leak your passwords
• In February 2021, LastPass announced that free users of its service would be limited to a single device, forcing many to upgrade to the premium package.
• Also in February 2021 it transpired that LastPass embeds seven trackers (including four from Google)

In short, if you're not already thinking about quitting LastPass, you should be.

Related: The Best LastPass Alternatives

KeePass: The Open-Source Password Manager

I've identified KeePass as the best LastPass alternative. It is open source, but has various other advantages:

• KeePass has a desktop app, browser extension, and mobile app
• Supports a master password
• You can easily add new passwords
• KeePass supports cloud storage of the database file
• Cloud database syncs to mobile and desktop apps
• Support for custom entries and a field for notes

Most importantly, KeePass is easy to use. You'll have almost forgotten about LastPass after a few minutes with KeePass. In fact, you'll wonder why you bothered with LastPass for so long.

To migrate from LastPass, you need to:

• Export your LastPass database
• Import the passwords to KeePass on your computer
• Specify a cloud location for the password database
• Install KeePass on your mobile device and sync

Let's go through these stages in more detail.

Export Your Passwords from LastPass

Start by exporting your passwords from LastPass. You can do this from the browser extension or the website.

1. Select Advanced Options
2. Click Export
3. Confirm your master password
4. Save the CSV file to a safe location on your computer

Once you've done this you can uninstall the LastPass browser extension from Chrome or Firefox. You can even remove the mobile app from your phone or tablet.

Related: Export LastPass Passwords

Install KeePass on Your Computer

The next stage is to install KeePass on your computer. Whether you use Windows, macOS, or a Linux distro, you should find a version of KeePass that you can use.

Download: KeePass (Free)

Note that only the desktop versions have been published by KeePass. For other platforms, apps have been contributed by user communities. Versions for iPhone and iPad, and Android are available. You'll even find apps for BlackBerry, Windows Mobile/Pocket PC, Windows Phone, and Palm OS are available.

Follow the installation steps for your KeePass version when prompted. For this guide, KeePass 2 on Windows 10 has been used.

Import Your Passwords to KeePass

With KeePass downloaded and installed, it's time to import your LastPass password file. Note that when you set a location for the imported data, if you plan to sync to mobile, a cloud account is required. KeePass supports Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive.

1. In KeePass 2 create a new database when prompted (or click File > New)
2. Select a location for the database
3. Open File > Import.

4. In the Import File/Data screen select LastPass CSV

   
5. Under Source, browse to the location you saved the LastPass CSV export file
6. Click OK to proceed
7. The data will be imported into KeePass

When this completes, you'll be prompted to enter the master password you used on your LastPass account. If you wish to change this at any point, select File > Change master key.

Integrate KeePass With Your Browser

At this point, the passwords are accessible from your desktop app, but aren't integrated with your browser. For a LastPass-like experience, you'll need the KeePass browser extension. Several options are available.

• Tusk is for Chrome browser, Chrome OS, and Mozilla Firefox
• Kee Vault has a browser extension for Firefox and Chrome
• KeePassXC-Browser is available for Chrome and Chrome OS

There are also two offline browser-based apps, KeeWeb and BrowePass.

Each of these extensions has key advantages and disadvantages. Tusk is probably the most popular, is easy to use, and integrates seamlessly with the Chrome browser.

Once you've installed Tusk, KeePass requires access to your database file.

1. Click Cloud Storage Setup
2. Choose the cloud storage service where you stored the database file
3. When prompted, permit access by the Tusk extension to your cloud storage

Now you've set up the cloud integration, you can use Tusk to access your passwords from any browser you're signed into.

When you visit a website where you need a password, click the Tusk toolbar button and enter the master password. Click the autocomplete option to gain entry.

Sync KeePass With Your Mobile Device

If you used LastPass on your smartphone, you'll know how useful it was to have. Abandoning LastPass doesn't mean you can't continue with the same level of functionality and integration.

Several KeePass-compatible mobile apps are available. They all work in broadly the same way; here's how to sync your KeePass passwords from a cloud database with an Android device running KeePassDX.

Before starting, ensure you have installed KeePass DX to your Android device. Also, ensure your mobile device is signed into the cloud account you saved the KeePass database to. Furthermore, the file should be set to sync to your mobile.

1. With the app running, select Open existing database
2. Browse to your cloud storage
3. Select the database
4. Input the master key (master password) when prompted
5. Wait for the database to load

You can then copy usernames and passwords from the KeePass database to web pages and apps. New usernames and passwords can also be added to the database, although this must be done manually.

Say Goodbye to LastPass

LastPass has repeatedly let its users down, so it should surprise no one that it is being abandoned. Despite any misgivings you may have about password managers, they're quite safe.

Many strong LastPass alternatives are available. If open-source software is important to you, KeePass is a smart choice.

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