Credential exchange is a standardized, user-approved process for moving passwords, passkeys, or other login secrets between trusted providers or applications. Instead of copying data into ad hoc export files, the credential source and destination use a controlled handoff with defined rules, identity checks, and permissions.
This matters because migration is a high-risk moment in identity security. Exported files can be copied, cached, or left in unsafe locations, while direct exchange narrows where secrets exist and who can access them. In real defenses, exchange protocols help password managers and device platforms support secure transfers, better auditing, and limited scope. In attacks, criminals may try to abuse the transfer step by tricking users into approving a move to the wrong provider or by stealing credentials from insecure export workflows. A well-designed credential exchange reduces that exposure by making the handoff authenticated, intentional, and harder to misuse.