Skip to main content
P
Pleonasm
May 7, 2026
Question

Backup Enhancements

  • May 7, 2026
  • 2 replies
  • 85 views

I recommend that 1Password add functionality (a) to automatically remind the customer to perform a local backup of the password data, if one has not been done recently; and, (b) to automatically encrypt the 1PUX and CSV export files so that the information is always in a protected state.

1Password does a serious disservice to its customers by failing to emphasize the importance of backing up the password data – and, by failing to make that process as smooth as possible.  The argument that a local backup is not needed because the data is backed up on the 1Password servers is disingenuous and potentially dangerous to the digital well-being of the customer.  When a 1Password account becomes inaccessible (as has been reported in this forum by customers under different scenarios), having a means to restore the password data to 1Password or an alternative password manager becomes invaluable.

    2 replies

    AJCxZ0
    AJCxZ0
    May 25, 2026

    1Password has an obvious conflict of interest with providing the best advice, i.e. making regular backups in a safe and secure manner and importing them into another reputable password manager.

    For the backup part, they give sensible advice on How to export your data from the 1Password apps, even noting this as a process to migrate to another "app" (which reflects well on 1Password), but practically can't do better than scary warnings about data not being encrypted. As for using multiple password managers, it's understandable that 1Password doesn't want to suggest it - not just because they are in competition, but that even mentioning any specific option risks being interpreted as some kind of approval.

    Perhaps all the folks involved in adopting the Credential Exchange Protocol could agree to implement a "sync to [provider]" feature in each of their clients where the providers are a list for as long as it scales, then an option to provide and endpoint.

      1P_Dave
      1P_Dave
      1Password Employee
      May 25, 2026

      Hello @Pleonasm! 👋

      Thank you for the feedback! If you're using a 1Password account then there is no need to backup your vault since your data is already backed up to your 1Password account in the cloud. If you accidentally delete an item you can always restore it from your 1Password account on 1Password.com: View and restore previous versions of items

      We don’t recommend exporting your items from 1Password (unless you're planning to move to another password manager), as doing so removes them from the secure, encrypted environment that protects your data. Within 1Password, your information is safeguarded by your account password and Secret Key, along with a second factor if you have two-factor authentication enabled.

      When a 1Password account becomes inaccessible (as has been reported in this forum by customers under different scenarios), having a means to restore the password data to 1Password or an alternative password manager becomes invaluable.

      Folks lose access because they've forgotten or lost one of the secrets that protect their account (their account password, their Secret Key, or their second factor). To protect against being locked out I recommend that you do the following: 


      That being said, I've shared your feedback and request with our team internally. 

      -Dave

      CFP-19179

      P
      PleonasmAuthor
      May 25, 2026

      @1P_Dave, concerning your comment “If you're using a 1Password account then there is no need to backup,” are you saying that there exists no circumstance in which having a local backup of the password data is prudent?  Is it truly the case that 1Password support has never encountered a customer who has permanently lost their password data because "your data is already backed up to your 1Password account in the cloud"?

      For example, consider the scenario that has appeared in this forum in which a 1Password account is accidentally deleted.  Are you saying that having an Emergency Kit or Recovery Code or an alternative Family Organizer would allow recovery of all of user's password data in this circumstance?

      P.S.:  Thank you for your contributions to this thread.

      1P_Dave
      1P_Dave
      1Password Employee
      May 25, 2026

      @Pleonasm 

      Thank you for the reply. Deleting a 1Password account is a multi-step process which includes several warnings that deletion is permanent. First, you must navigate to, and click on, the "Permanently Delete Family Account" button:

      Second, you're presented with an "Are you sure" screen that warns you again that account deletion is permanent and requires that you click "Delete Family Account":

      Finally, you're presented with another warning that you're about to delete your account and you're required to enter your account password to finish the deletion: 

      Are you saying that having an Emergency Kit or Recovery Code or an alternative Family Organizer would allow recovery of all of user's password data in this circumstance?

      If a user chooses to delete their account, and follows the process outlined above, the account cannot be restored by the family organizer or with recovery methods. The tools you mentioned are intended for account recovery, not for restoring an account that has been permanently deleted at the user’s request.

      are you saying that there exists no circumstance in which having a local backup of the password data is prudent?

      I definitely understand there are situations for which people have requested a local backup option, and there’s an existing feature request open internally to explore that further in the future. That said, when it comes to preventing account lockout, the steps I mentioned in my previous reply are the best ways to help ensure you don’t lose access to your account.

      -Dave

      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement

      ©2026 1Password. All rights reserved.
      4711 Yonge St, 10th Floor, Toronto Ontario, M2N 6K8, Canada