How to Export WordPress Users With Passwords?

Are you looking for a secure way to migrate user data from your WordPress website? In this article, we will discuss the step-by-step processes of importing and exporting WordPress users and passwords.

User data contains sensitive information, such as login details and passwords, that needs to be handled carefully. So, when migrating users’ data, you should ensure that you have taken proper measures not to expose sensitive information.

Transferring information manually can be both time-consuming and error-prone. Thankfully, there are more secure and efficient alternatives, such as dedicated plugins specifically designed for this task.

In this article, we will guide you through securely migrating user data, including hashed passwords. But first, let’s explain what hashed passwords are and why migrating them securely is crucial.

A hashed password is a type of password that has been converted into a scrambled, irreversible form using a mathematical algorithm called a hashing function. Hashing is a process of storing passwords in a database by creating representations of actual password characters. It cannot be converted into plain text easily.

Safely migrating hashed passwords is essential as they are a key security measure for safeguarding user accounts. If the migration isn’t conducted securely, it could put hashed passwords at risk of exposure to threats such as data breaches or interception during the transfer process.

Besides, poor migration practices can lead to lost or corrupted hashed passwords, requiring users to reset passwords. This causes unnecessary frustration, undermines user trust, and increases the workload for support teams.

Migration plugins like WebToffee’s WordPress Users Import Export plugin are effective solutions for securely transferring user data and hashed passwords. These plugins automate the data transfer process, minimizing human error risk, and can swiftly and effectively manage large-scale user data transfers.

Let’s go through the steps to transfer user data, including passwords, using the free version of this plugin.

To migrate your WordPress user data, you have to export user data with hashed passwords and then import it with the original password. 

Step 1: Install & Activate the WordPress User Import Export Plugin

From your WordPress admin page,

• Go to Plugins > Add New.
• Search for the WordPress User Import Export plugin by WebToffee.
• Once you find the plugin, click Install Now and then Activate the plugin.

Step 2: Select User as Post Type to Export 

After installing the plugin,

• Go to WebToffee Import Export (Basic) and select Export.
• Select User/Customer as the post type to export from the dropdown.

Then, proceed to the next step.

Step 3: Select Quick Export Method

Here, you have different methods to export data. You can choose either the Quick export method or the Advanced export method.

If you don’t want to choose any filters or advanced options, you can proceed with the Quick export.

• Select the Quick export option and click the Export button to export the user data with passwords.

Once the export process is complete, click the Download file button to download the CSV file containing the user data.

As you can see, user passwords are kept in a hashed format. This means the original passwords are transformed into a scrambled, unreadable string of characters through a cryptographic hashing function.

By keeping passwords in their hashed format during migration, you preserve the integrity of user data and ensure a secure authentication system.

Now, you need to import the file to your second website. Let’s examine how to do this. 

Step 4: Import WordPress Users With Hashed Passwords

From your WordPress dashboard,

• Go to the Import page of the WebToffee User Import Export plugin.
• Select User/Customer as the post type to import and proceed to the next step.

Step 5: Select Quick Import Method

• Select Quick import as the import method and upload the CSV file you downloaded earlier. 

You can directly import the user data from here or click on the Advanced options to view the advanced import options. Let’s proceed with the Advanced options.

Step 6: Configure Advanced Import Options 

If the user already exists in your store, choose to Update the user data.

Then, click on Import to initiate the import process.

Once the user data is imported into your website, you can view a detailed log report of the import action. 

On successful import, the user’s passwords will be retained with total security.

The Import Export WordPress Users plugin we mentioned in this article also has a premium version with advanced features, such as support for multiple file formats, such as XML, CSV, and Excel. We will look into its features and capabilities next. 

The WordPress Users & WooCommerce Customers Import Export plugin is a reliable solution for facilitating easy and quick transfer of user and customer data between different sites. The plugin enables you to import and export WordPress users and WooCommerce customers effortlessly from one store to another, saving you the hassle of manually transferring the data.

It is a highly preferred tool to import user data along with their hashed passwords, enabling you to maintain password encryption. The premium version of the plugin provides several additional features besides those offered in the free version, such as:

• Support for multiple file formats – CSV, XML, and Excel (XLS, XLSX).
• Extensive filtering options for exporting customers and users.
• Bulk update existing customers/users data.
• Import and export customers and users to/from a remote server via FTP.
• Schedule one-time or periodic import-export actions of users.

We hope this article has provided a clear understanding of how to securely import and export WordPress users, including their hashed passwords, using the WebToffee plugin. Migrating user data can be complicated, but with the right tools, you can ensure it’s done effectively and safely.

If you have any questions or need additional help, feel free to leave a comment below.