Bulk import users to Kinde

Export your users from your existing auth system, prepare a CSV, and import them into Kinde. Users with migrated password hashes can sign in immediately with no password reset required.

If you need to catch new registrations or password changes during the migration window, combine this with the API approach or run a second import after the cutover.

Example CSV

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users.csv

email,first_name,last_name,email_verified,hashed_password,hashing_method,external_organization_id
bills@company.com,Bill,Smith,TRUE,$2a$10$examplehash,bcrypt,abc001
carlosg@company.com,Carlos,Garcia,TRUE,$2a$10$examplehash,bcrypt,abc001
lliu@company.com,Lee,Liu,FALSE,,, xyz002

Setup guide

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1. Prepare your Kinde business

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Configure your Kinde business with the same auth strategies as your existing provider. See before you migrate.

2. Export users from your provider

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Export instructions vary by provider. Select yours:

• Auth0 →
• FusionAuth →
• Clerk →
• Supabase →
• Firebase →
• AWS Cognito →
• Azure B2C →

If you are migrating from your own system, prepare the data to match the format described below.

3. Prepare your CSV

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Import files must be 49MB or less. This applies to Custom CSV, Auth0 NDJSON, FusionAuth NDJSON, and Custom NDJSON imports. Format your export with the following columns.

Required column:

Column	Notes
email	Minimum required field

Recommended columns:

Column	Notes
first_name, last_name	User’s name
email_verified	TRUE or FALSE
id	Your provider’s user ID — helps match records during re-imports
phone	International format, e.g. +61555111555
external_organization_id	Organization ID to import the user into. Comma-separate multiple values
role_key	Role key(s) to assign. Comma-separate multiple values
permission_key	Permission key(s) to assign. Comma-separate multiple values

external_organization_id is NOT the same as the Organization code in Kinde (which is Kinde-assigned). Use the ID from your own system.

Password columns:

Include these if you’re migrating hashed passwords:

Column	Notes
hashed_password	The hashed password string
hashing_method	See supported methods below
salt	Optional — extra characters added to strengthen the hash
salt_position	prefix or suffix — required if salt is included
salt_format	Format of the salt, e.g. hex or string

Supported hashing methods:

Method	Salt	Salt position
bcrypt	—	—
md5	Optional	Required if salt included
sha256	Optional	Required if salt included
crypt	Optional	—
wordpress	Optional	—

bcrypt $2b variant

Kinde substitutes $2b with $2a on import. These are interchangeable unless the hashes were generated on OpenBSD.

sha256

Provide the hash in hex format. For salt_format, specify hex for a hex-encoded salt (e.g. 68656c6c6f for hello). By default, the salt is treated as a plain string.

Check for errors before importing:

Review the CSV for missing or duplicate values. Kinde will report errors after import. Records that have already been imported without changes are skipped on re-import.

4. Import users into Kinde

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1. In Kinde, go to Users, then select Import users.

2. Select your import type:

   • Auth0 — for NDJSON files exported from Auth0
   • FusionAuth — for NDJSON files exported from FusionAuth
   • Custom NDJSON — for NDJSON files exported from other providers
   • Custom CSV — for all other providers

   

3. Follow the on-screen prompts to upload your file.

4. Review any errors reported after import. Fix the CSV and re-import to resolve them.

For full instructions, see Import or update users in bulk.

After the import

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Handling new registrations during the migration window

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If users can still register or change their password while you migrate, you’ll miss them. Options:

• Re-import — run the export and import again after cutover to catch new registrations. Users who registered after your first export will be unable to sign in until this second import completes.
• Force a password reset — for users who changed their password during the window, use the API to set is_password_reset_requested.
• Use the API in parallel — push new sign-ups directly to Kinde via API during the migration window. See Create users with the API.

Communicating with users

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Kinde does not notify users when they are imported. Plan your own communication, especially if you’re changing their sign-in experience (e.g. adding MFA or moving to passwordless).

Edge cases to watch

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• If a user changes their password after your export and before the migration completes, they will need to reset it.
• If you add a new authentication method (e.g. passwordless), users will be prompted to use it on next sign-in.
• Kinde does not check password strength on import — enforce your own policies for users.
• Adding or removing roles and permissions may change what users can access in your app.

Get support

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If you need help with your migration, contact Kinde support.