Where your WiFi password lives on your device

Your device stores your WiFi password the moment you connect to a network. Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android all keep this information in different places, but all of them let you view it without calling your internet provider or resetting your router.

The fastest route depends on what device you're using right now. If you're already connected to the network, you can pull the password from that device in under a minute. If you're locked out of the network entirely, you'll need to use a device that's still connected, or access your router directly.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows stores WiFi passwords in Settings under Network and Internet, where you can view any network you've connected to before.
  • Mac users can find saved passwords in Keychain Access, which also shows passwords for email accounts and websites stored on that computer.
  • iPhone and Android don't display saved WiFi passwords in their settings, but you can share the password directly to another phone using a QR code.
  • If you can't remember your password and no connected device will help, you can reset your router to factory settings, which erases all custom settings including the password.

Finding your password on Windows

Open Settings and go to Network and Internet, then select WiFi. Click "Manage known networks" and select the network you want the password for. Choose "Properties" at the top of the window.

Scroll down to "Security type and security info." The password appears in the field labeled "Security key" — it will be hidden by default, but you can click "Show" to reveal it. Windows will ask you to confirm your user account password before displaying it.

This method works for any network your computer has connected to before, even if you're not currently connected to it. If the network doesn't appear in your list, your computer has never saved it.

Finding your password on Mac

Open Spotlight (Command + Space), type "Keychain Access," and press Enter. In the window that opens, search for your network name in the top-right search box.

When your network appears in the list, double-click it. A new window opens — check the box next to "Show password" at the bottom. Mac will ask you to enter your computer's login password to reveal it. The password then appears in plain text in that same field.

Keychain Access stores passwords for WiFi networks, email accounts, websites, and apps all in one place. If you've forgotten passwords for other accounts on this computer, this is where to find them too.

Sharing your password from iPhone or Android

iPhone and Android don't let you view a saved WiFi password in their settings the way Windows and Mac do. Instead, both phones can share the password directly to another phone without you ever seeing it yourself.

On iPhone: Have the other person open Settings, go to WiFi, and select your network. When they tap "Connect," your phone will show a prompt asking if you want to share the password. Tap "Share Password" and they'll connect without typing anything.

On Android: The process varies by manufacturer, but most Android phones show a QR code in WiFi settings. Open your phone's camera or a QR code reader app and scan the code — the other phone can then connect by scanning the same code. Some Android phones also let you share the password through a "Share" button in WiFi settings.

Getting the password from your router if devices won't help

If no connected device will help you — for example, if you're the only person in the house and you've forgotten the password — you can access your router directly. Most routers have a sticker on the back or bottom with the default WiFi name and password printed on it.

Look for a sticker that says "WiFi Name" or "SSID" and "WiFi Password" or "Key." The password is usually a string of letters and numbers. If the sticker is missing or worn away, you can reset the router to its factory settings by holding down a small reset button (usually recessed, so you'll need a paperclip) for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on.

Warning: resetting your router erases any custom settings you've made, including the WiFi password you created. After a reset, you'll need to set up the network again from scratch using the default credentials on the sticker, then create a new password.

What to do if you changed your password and forgot it

If you created your own WiFi password and can't remember it, the easiest fix is to change it again. Log into your router's admin panel by opening a web browser and typing your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into the address bar.

You'll be asked for a username and password — these are different from your WiFi password and are usually printed on the router's sticker as well (often "admin" and "admin" or "admin" and a blank password). Once you're logged in, look for a section called "WiFi Settings" or "Wireless" and change the password to something you'll remember.

If you've also forgotten your router's admin password, resetting the router to factory settings is your only option. After the reset, use the default credentials from the sticker to log back in.

Keeping your password safe after you find it

Once you have your password, don't share it over text, email, or messaging apps — these leave a record that someone else can find. If you need to give it to a guest, share it verbally or use your phone's built-in sharing feature (the QR code method on Android, or the "Share Password" prompt on iPhone).

Change your WiFi password every few months, especially if many people have had access to it. A strong password uses uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — something like "BlueSky#42Maple" is much harder to guess than "password123."

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my WiFi password if I'm not connected to the network?

On Windows and Mac, yes — both store passwords for networks you've connected to before, even if you're not currently connected. On iPhone and Android, you can't view the password directly, but you can share it to another phone using a QR code or share prompt.

What if my router doesn't have a sticker with the default password?

Search online for your router's model number (usually printed on the device) plus "default password." Most manufacturers publish these. If you still can't find it, resetting the router to factory settings will restore the defaults, though you'll lose any custom settings you've made.

Is it safe to write down my WiFi password?

Writing it down and keeping it in a find place (like a locked drawer) is safer than using an straightforward-to-guess password. Never leave it visible on a sticky note near your router, and don't store it in an unencrypted document on your computer.

Can I change my WiFi password without resetting the router?

Yes. Log into your router's admin panel using the IP address and default credentials from the sticker, then find the WiFi settings section and change the password there. You won't lose any other settings this way.

What happens to my devices when I change my WiFi password?

They'll disconnect and won't reconnect automatically. You'll need to go into each device's WiFi settings, select your network, and enter the new password. After that, they'll remember it and reconnect on their own next time.