Observed Signal · Jul 1, 2026 · Technical Guide · Source: DEV Community · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Identity Market: Import users without forcing password resets
A technical explainer on migrating user accounts without requiring password resets. The article argues that password hashes (bcrypt, PBKDF2) are portable and can be verified by a new system if the old hashes are available. It describes a 'lazy migration' approach: import existing hashes, verify them at first login, and transparently rehash into the destination format, avoiding mass reset emails and support load. The post notes practical constraints: some providers (notably Auth0) do not return hashes via their Management API, but an assisted NDJSON export from support can provide bcrypt hashes for import. If hashes cannot be obtained, a conscious decision to require password updates remains the honest fallback.
Practical guidance on preserving user logins during identity migrations reduces support load and phishing risk; relevant to Identity/IdP teams and MarTech systems that manage authentication.
Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Password hashes produced by common schemes (bcrypt, PBKDF2) include cost/salt metadata and can be verified by any implementation of the same algorithm.
- A 'lazy migration' workflow imports existing password hashes and verifies them at users' first login, rehashing into the destination format transparently.
- Duende / ASP.NET Identity V3 (PBKDF2) and legacy bcrypt hashes can be verified natively and rehashed on first login.
- Auth0's Management API does not return password hashes; Auth0 supports an assisted bulk export (NDJSON) via support that can include bcrypt hashes for migration.
- If hashes cannot be obtained, the fallback is to require users to set a new password at first login — a conscious choice rather than a technical inevitability.
Connected Companies & Entities
2 Entities mappedAuth0
Developer-first cloud identity platform for apps and APIs.
“Do Auth0: os hashes bcrypt verificam ao pé da letra. O problema não é o formato, é consegui-los....”
Microsoft
Diversified software, cloud, advertising and gaming platform company.
“Um hash bcrypt carrega o próprio fator de custo e o próprio sal dentro da string, então qualquer coisa que implemente bcrypt pode verificar ...”
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