Syncing with mobile devices without using a cloud service (Steganos Password Manager, apps version 26 and later)

Applies to: the Steganos Password Manager apps for iOS and Android, version 26 or later.
For older app versions, see the previous article covering Password Manager 22.

You can transfer your keychain to your iPhone, iPad, or Android device without using any cloud service. The version 26 apps include a “Keychain File Transfer” feature in Settings for exactly this: the encrypted keychain files are copied to the device via USB cable (or the Files app) and then imported into the app. The files remain fully encrypted the entire way — decryption only ever happens on your own devices, with your master password.

Note: Unlike cloud sync, this is a one-time copy. Changes you later make on your PC do not appear on the mobile device automatically — repeat the transfer when needed. If you want automatic synchronization, use the cloud sync option in Settings instead.

Which files make up a keychain?

A keychain always consists of a complete file set:

File	Contents
Name.spm	the keychain itself (header file)
Name_….spe	the individual entries (one file per entry)
Name_….bin	file attachments on entries (if any)
Name_FileContainer.pak	a container bundling entries (if present, e.g. for keychains that were previously cloud-synced)

Always transfer all files that share the same name prefix. The .spm file alone contains no entries — a keychain imported from it would be empty.

Step 1: Prepare the keychain files on your Windows PC

1. Open Steganos Password Manager on your PC.
2. Choose “File” → “Export for mobile apps” and save the file set to a folder that is easy to find (for example, your desktop).
3. Make sure the folder contains the .spm file and all files belonging to it (see the table above).

Transferring to an iPhone or iPad

On iOS, you place the files in the app’s folder; the app imports them from there.

Copy the files into the app’s folder

You have three options:

• Windows PC (USB): Install the “Apple Devices” app from the Microsoft Store (the successor to iTunes file sharing). Connect your iPhone/iPad with a cable, select your device, and open the “Files” section. Select Steganos Password Manager in the app list and drag the complete file set into it.
• Mac (USB): Connect the device with a cable, select it in the Finder sidebar, and open the “Files” tab. Drag the file set onto Steganos Password Manager.
• Files app (no cable or computer): Use the iOS Files app to copy the file set (for example, from a USB stick or a network share) into the folder “On My iPhone/iPad” → “Password Manager”.

Import in the app

1. Open Steganos Password Manager on the device.
2. Tap the gear icon (Settings) and scroll to the “Keychain File Transfer” section.
3. Tap “Import keychain…”. The app finds the copied files automatically; if several keychains are available, pick the one you want.
4. If a keychain with the same name already exists on the device, the app asks whether it should be replaced. A keychain that is currently open must be closed before importing.
5. After the message “Keychain … imported”, open the keychain as usual with your master password.

After a successful import, the app automatically removes the transferred files from its folder — so no outdated copies are left behind.

Exporting from an iPhone or iPad (backup / transfer to a PC)

On iOS, the transfer also works in the other direction:

1. In Settings, under “Keychain File Transfer”, tap “Export keychain…” and choose the keychain.
2. The app places the complete (still encrypted) file set in a subfolder of the app’s folder.
3. Copy that folder to your computer using Finder, the Apple Devices app, or the Files app.

Transferring to an Android device

On Android, you select the files through the system file picker — there is no need to copy them into a special app folder. (The folder Android\data\steganos.passwordmanager\files\ known from older guides no longer works on current Android versions.)

1. Connect the device to your PC via USB and select “File transfer” (MTP) mode on the device.
2. Copy the complete file set into any folder on the device, for example “Downloads”.
3. Open Steganos Password Manager, tap the gear icon (Settings), and in the “Keychain File Transfer” section tap “Import keychain…”.
4. The Android file picker opens. Navigate to the folder and select all files of the set in one go — the .spm file alone is not enough. Tip: long-press the first file to select multiple files.
5. Confirm the replacement of an existing keychain with the same name, if asked. After the message “Keychain … imported”, open the keychain with your master password.

Note: On Android, only import is available. To transfer data from an Android device to a PC, use cloud sync.

Frequently asked questions and troubleshooting

• “The selection contains no keychain (.spm) file” (Android): The .spm file was missing from your selection. Select it together with all files belonging to it, in a single pass.
• Warning “no entry files were found”: Only the .spm file was transferred. Transfer the complete file set again — otherwise the keychain will be imported empty.
• “This keychain is currently open”: Close the keychain in the app, then start the import again.
• No keychain files found (iOS): The file set is not (or not completely) in the app’s “Password Manager” folder. Check the copy step.
• The keychain opens but appears empty even though all files were transferred: The keychain may originate from a very old version of Password Manager and use an outdated storage format that the mobile apps can no longer read. In that case, please contact support.
• Master password: The transfer does not change it — the same password you use on your PC applies on the mobile device.