Goal: copy your setup from staging to production, or reuse it on a new site.
Export
- Go to Password Protected → Settings → Import / Export.
- Click Download export file.
- A JSON file downloads.
Import
- On the destination site, go to the same screen.
- Choose the file under Import.
- Click Import settings.
What transfers
Settings, appearance, and the structure of your password rules — scopes, labels, statuses, schedules and role bypasses.
What does not transfer, and why
Password values are never exported. They are one-way hashes tied to the site that created them, and putting credential material into a downloadable file spreads it further than you expect.
After importing, set your passwords on the new site. Until you do, the rules exist but have no working password.
Also note that scope IDs refer to specific posts and terms. If the destination site has different content, rules pointing at individual pages may need repointing.
At Settings → Import / Export.
Export downloads a JSON file containing your settings and the structure of your password rules — scopes, labels, statuses, schedules and role bypasses.
Password values are never included in an export. They are one-way hashes tied to your site, and putting credential material into a downloadable file would spread it further than you expect. After importing on a new site, set the passwords there.
Import applies an export file, overwriting your current settings. Only options belonging to this plugin can be written, so a modified or malicious file cannot alter unrelated WordPress settings.