How to export data from Minimalist

You can export your Minimalist data to keep a human readable reference, serve as an unencrypted backup, migrate to a different iCloud account, or transfer data to a different application. Here's what you'll need to do.

Before we begin

People export data to serve a number of different purposes:

  • Keeping a human readable copy for reference.
  • Serving as a full backup to be restored in an emergency.
  • Migrating data to a different iCloud account.
  • Transferring data to a different application:
    • We hope you'll stay with us, but if you're going to leave anyhow, we'd like to make it as easy as possible.

Each of these has it's own specific needs which no single export format can fully satisfy. There are going to be tradeoffs!

We've designed Minimalist's export formats with these purposes in mind. As a result, each format is a combination of human readable AND machine readable data.

We understand it's not perfect. However we truly believe it's the best possible balance to serve the greatest number of people. Hopefully you'll agree!

Now on to the steps!

Step 1: Export your data

Please remember exported data is NOT encrypted. Anyone with access to these files can read them. Please keep them safe!

  • Open Minimalist.
  • Select the gear icon to open Settings.
  • Select Export Items.
  • Select the app and file format you'd like to export to:
    • Select Minimalist -> .json for unencrypted backups or migrating to a different iCloud account.
    • Select Minimalist -> .csv for human readable reference.
    • Select iCloud Keychain (Safari) -> .csv to transfer login data to iCloud Keychain (Safari).
  • Choose a location:
    • This is the directory where both the exported data file and all attachment data will be saved to.
  • Select Start Export.

Step 2: Review the exported files

We've gone to great lengths to ensure the export feature in Minimalist is rock-solid.

However it's still a good idea to review the exported files to make sure they contain the information you expect and are suitable for your purposes.

Please reach out to us at hello@minimalistpassword.com if you run into any trouble. We'll be happy to help!

Frequently Asked Questions

How to restore purchase if still showing Get Unlimited Editing

Minimalist attempts to recognize purchases made on any of your devices. However there are circumstances where Minimalist can't see your purchase and shows Get Unlimited Editing instead. Learn how to restore your purchase and re-enable Unlimited Editing.

How to setup up Apple Family Sharing in order to share your Minimalist purchase

Apple Family Sharing lets you share your Minimalist purchase with up to 5 other family members. Each family member gets their own private Minimalist data, securely synced via their own iCloud account. Learn how to setup Apple Family Sharing here.

Securely share items between family or team members via shared vaults

Minimalist does not yet support sharing of items via shared vaults... at least not yet! Here is what we're planning for the future.

Benefits and Limitations of Apple's AutoFill System

Minimalist AutoFill is built on Apple's AutoFill system which provides significant security and privacy benefits over third-party browser extensions. Unfortunately this system is also quite limiting, preventing us from customizing behavior, adding new features, or fixing bugs. In other words, we can either take it or leave it.

AutoFill in non-Safari browsers on Mac

Minimalist AutoFill is currently limited to browsers and apps which support Apple’s AutoFill system. On iOS this includes virtually all of them: Chrome, FireFox, Brave, DuckDuckGo, Edge, Opera, and probably many others. On Mac however, it's currently limited to Safari only... at least for now.

How to prevent Safari on Mac from asking to save passwords

Recent versions of macOS have added the ability to select which password providers are available when using Apple's AutoFill system. You can now enable Minimalist and disable other providers such as Apple's Passwords app under System Settings -> General -> AutoFill & Passwords.

How to save new logins from Safari back into Minimalist

Minimalist communicates with Safari via Apple’s AutoFill system which provides secure, private, and convenient auto-filling of usernames and passwords into websites and apps. Unfortunately Apple's AutoFill system does not currently support saving new logins from Safari back into Minimalist... at least not yet!

How to update existing login passwords from Safari back into Minimalist

Minimalist communicates with Safari via Apple’s AutoFill system which provides secure, private, and convenient auto-filling of usernames and passwords into websites and apps. Unfortunately Apple's AutoFill system does not currently support updating existing login passwords from Safari back into Minimalist... at least not yet!

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Minimalist keeps all your data in sync across iPhone, iPad, and Mac via iCloud. Usually this happens automatically without you needing to do anything. However occasionally a device requires a few extra steps to allow Minimalist to access iCloud. Here's what you'll need to do.

How to store Passkeys in Minimalist

We’ve been watching Apple’s Passkey development for quite a while now and we're getting pretty excited about the prospects of a fully password-less future. Having said that, we imagine the transition will take quite a few years to complete. So in the meantime, we've decided to add Passkey support to Minimalist in an upcoming release. Here's what we're thinking.

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How Apple's AutoFill system works with subdomains

Minimalist AutoFill is built on Apple’s AutoFill system which provides secure, private, and convenient auto-filling of usernames and passwords into websites and apps. Unfortunately Apple's AutoFill system handles subdomains a little differently than we'd like, and there is very little we can do about it.

How to AutoFill credit card information

Minimalist AutoFill is built on Apple’s AutoFill system which provides secure, private, and convenient auto-filling of usernames and passwords into websites and apps. Unfortunately Apple's AutoFill system is currently limited to usernames and passwords only, and does not support auto-filling of other content types such as credit card information... yet.

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Minimalist can securely store and generate one-time passwords without requiring an additional authenticator app. One-time passwords are generated 100% offline so they work without an internet connection and while in Airplane Mode. Here's how to get started.

How to automatically copy 2FA one-time passwords when using AutoFill

Minimalist AutoFill is built on Apple’s AutoFill system which unfortunately does not yet support auto-filling of one-time passwords for third party passwords managers like Minimalist. That's why Minimalist offers automatic copying of one-time passwords while using AutoFill.

How to attach files, photos, PDFs, and more

Securely store files, photos, PDFs, and more inside any item in Minimalist using an "Attachment" field. Attachments are synced via iCloud using the same end-to-end encryption as everything else in Minimalist.

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For a few years now we've contemplated adding a Menu Bar App to Minimalist. After much deliberation, we have decided we simply cannot justify the additional development resources required given the limited number of people who would benefit from it. We know this was not the answer you were looking for, but hopefully it helps anyhow. Thank you for your understanding.

How to see if a password has been compromised in a data breach

Data breaches are far more common than any of us want to admit. Passwords are leaked with alarming frequency. Websites exist where you can check if your passwords have been compromised, but you have to check them one at a time! Wouldn't it be great if Minimalist could safely and securely check them all for you? Yeah, we think so too!

What is a third party security audit and has one been performed?

A third party security audit is a thorough assessment of all code, documentation, and processes related to a software system by an independent third party security firm. The goal of an audit is to uncover potential security risks which can then be patched by the software's developer. As Minimalist is relatively new, we have not been able to perform such an audit... yet!

Will Minimalist be adding an Apple Watch App?

For a few years now we've contemplated adding an Apple Watch App to Minimalist. After much deliberation, we have decided we simply cannot justify the additional development resources required given the limited number of people who would benefit from it. We know this was not the answer you were looking for, but hopefully it helps anyhow. Thank you for your understanding.

How to AutoFill multiple username fields on sites like American Airlines

Minimalist AutoFill is built on Apple’s AutoFill system which provides secure, private, and convenient auto-filling of usernames and passwords into websites and apps. Unfortunately Apple's AutoFill system is currently limited to a single username / password combination, and does not support auto-filling of multiple username fields... yet.

How to show the password history of a Login item

Minimalist keeps a history of previous passwords used for each Login item. Follow these steps to show and hide any Login item's password history.

When will Minimalist support the new Verification Code AutoFill in Safari 15?

Unfortunately this feature is currently limited to Apple's iCloud Keychain and is not available to third party password managers like Minimalist... at least not yet!

Will Minimalist be adding support for hardware security keys such as YubiKey?

For a few years now we've contemplated adding support for hardware security keys to Minimalist. After much deliberation, we have decided we simply cannot justify the additional development resources required given the limited number of people who would benefit from it. We know this was not the answer you were looking for, but hopefully it helps anyhow. Thank you for your understanding.

How to cancel your subscription

We think you're going to love Minimalist! However you can of course cancel your subscription at any time if you are not completely satisfied. Here's what you need to do.

How to request a refund

We think you're going to love Minimalist! However if you are not completely satisfied with your purchase you can request a refund directly from Apple by following these steps.

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Whether you've forgotten your master password, or would just like to start from a clean slate, you can reset your Minimalist account to permanently delete all data, from all synced devices, and start over.

How to delete your account

We think you're going to love Minimalist! However we understand it's not for everyone. If you've decided it's time to move on, you can delete your Minimalist account which will permanently delete all data from all synced devices.

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