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jmjm
jmjm
Nov 10, 2026 2:25 PM UTC
Question

Qs about exporting a vault (1P8)

I have never done this i.e. exporting my vault (as it bothered me that 1P has never had the option of exporting it encrypted). But having said that I think it is a prudent course of action as part of being prepared for any and all eventualities.(My reason for exporting is not to change password providers)

I have looked at the 1P link https://support.1password.com/export/?windows but I still have a question or two.. 

I know very well that the exported vault is not encrypted. And to that end I will store it on an encrypted USB key (actually 2 of them).

But my question is about the export process itself. Is there any real world possibility that the export can be intercepted as it is happening? Or better still can the export of one’s vault (as a PUX (zip) file) be done completely off line and so not needing to go through 1Password servers?

    5 replies

    1P_Dave
    1Password Employee
    1P_Dave
    1Password Employee
    Nov 12, 2026 10:19 PM UTC

    Hello ​@jmjm! 👋

    We generally don’t recommend exporting your passwords because doing so removes them from 1Password’s secure, encrypted environment. Any exported or printed copy will be in plain text and readable by anyone who can access it. Exports are primarily intended for moving your data to another password manager if you choose to do so in the future.

    It’s also important to note that an exported copy can quickly become outdated if you change any of your passwords afterward.

    The export process is performed client-side by the 1Password app. The 1Password app on your device downloads and decrypts all of your items and files from your 1Password account, with the exception of passkeys, and exports them to a 1PUX file. Because the exported file is unencrypted, any application or person with access to the file can view and read its contents so it’s important to only export your items on a device that you know is secure and to store the exported file securely. 

    When using a 1Password account, your data is already backed up to your 1Password account in the cloud. If you accidentally delete, or edit, an item you can restore it from your 1Password account on 1Password.com: View and restore previous versions of items

    -Dave

    jmjm
    jmjmAuthor
    Nov 12, 2026 11:11 PM UTC

    Thanks for the detailed reply ​@1P_Dave.

    (I am asking specifics as I want to make best use for my circumstances of the 1P provided EXPORT option)

    I understand the caveat about the export being unencrypted and so would be vulnerable once saved to one’s personal machine (hence my use of 2 encrypted USB keys). Just to understand better, the vulnerability isn’t in the actual process of exporting but rather it is evident in that the file is in plain text, once saved to one’s machine? 

    And from your post 2 years ago it seems one cant do this export while offline?

    https://www.1password.community/1password-at-home-31/how-to-export-vault-while-offline-18505?tid=18505&fid=31

     

     

    1P_Dave
    1Password Employee
    1P_Dave
    1Password Employee
    Nov 13, 2026 2:40 PM UTC

    ​@jmjm 

    Just to understand better, the vulnerability isn’t in the actual process of exporting but rather it is evident in that the file is in plain text, once saved to one’s machine? 

    Could you clarify your concerns a little further? Your account information remains end-to-end encrypted everywhere except on your devices when you unlock 1Password or export your items. The risk of interception is therefore local, such as if you leave your items in an unencrypted plain-text export or if malware is present on your device.You can read more here: About the 1Password security model

    And from your post 2 years ago it seems one cant do this export while offline?

    That’s correct. Exports must be performed while you’re online so the 1Password app can ensure it downloads and exports all of the data in your 1Password account, including files and documents, with the exception of passkeys.

    -Dave

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