# passphrase The password to use during key import or export. ``` var passphrase: Unmanaged? ``` ## Discussion You may specify either a or a instance for the passphrase. The PKCS12 format requires passwords in Unicode format, and passing in a as the password is the surest way to meet this requirement (and ensure compatibility with other implementations). If you supply a object as the password for a PKCS12 export operation, the data is assumed to be in UTF8 form and converted as appropriate. When importing or exporting keys ([`SecKey`](/documentation/Security/SecKey) objects) in one of the wrapped formats ([`SecExternalFormat.formatWrappedOpenSSL`](/documentation/Security/SecExternalFormat/formatWrappedOpenSSL), [`SecExternalFormat.formatWrappedSSH`](/documentation/Security/SecExternalFormat/formatWrappedSSH), or [`SecExternalFormat.formatWrappedPKCS8`](/documentation/Security/SecExternalFormat/formatWrappedPKCS8)) or in PKCS12 format, you must either explicitly specify the passphrase field or set the [`securePassphrase`](/documentation/Security/SecKeyImportExportFlags/securePassphrase) bit the `flags` field (to prompt the user to enter the password). --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)