Where your WiFi password is stored

Your WiFi password is stored in three places: on your router itself (usually on a sticker), in your device's network settings, and sometimes in your router's admin panel. The easiest route depends on what you have access to right now. If you can see the router, the sticker is fastest. If you need it on a device that's already connected, your operating system keeps a record you can retrieve without the router in front of you.

The password you're looking for is called the WiFi network key or pre-shared key (PSK). It's different from your router's admin password, which controls the settings page. You only need the network key to connect new devices.

Key Takeaways

  • Most routers have the WiFi password printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the device itself.
  • Windows computers can show you a saved password through Settings > Network > WiFi > Manage Known Networks, then selecting your network and choosing "Show" under the password field.
  • Mac computers store the password in Keychain Access, which you open from Applications > Utilities, then search for your network name and double-click to reveal it.
  • iPhones and Android phones can share the password with nearby devices without showing it to you, but you cannot view it directly on the phone itself.
  • If you cannot find the password anywhere, you can reset the router to factory settings, which will restore the default password printed on the sticker.

Check the router sticker first

Look at the back, bottom, or side of your router for a white or gray sticker. This sticker usually lists the network name (called the SSID) and the password next to it. The label might say "WiFi Password", "Network Key", "Passphrase", or just show both without a label. Write down exactly what you see — passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyNetwork123" is different from "mynetwork123".

If the sticker is worn or missing, the default password is often printed in the router's manual, which may be in the box or available on the manufacturer's website. Search for your router model number (also on the sticker) plus "default password" to find it online.

Find the password on a Windows computer

If your Windows computer is already connected to the network, you can see the password without touching the router. Open Settings and go to Network & Internet. Click WiFi on the left side, then scroll down and click Manage Known Networks. Find your network name in the list and click it.

Click Properties at the bottom of the window. Scroll down to the "Security" section. You'll see a field labeled "Network security key" with dots or asterisks hiding the password. Click the eye icon next to it to show the password in plain text. You may need to enter your Windows password to confirm.

Find the password on a Mac

Mac computers store WiFi passwords in Keychain Access, a built-in password manager. Open Finder, go to Applications, then Utilities, and double-click Keychain Access. In the search box at the top right, type your network name exactly as it appears in your WiFi list.

When your network appears in the results, double-click it. A window will open showing network details. Check the box labeled Show password. Your Mac will ask for your user password to confirm. Enter it, and the WiFi password will appear in plain text in that same window.

What to do if you cannot find it anywhere

If the sticker is gone, your devices don't remember it, and you don't have the manual, you can reset the router to its factory settings. This erases all your custom settings and returns the password to whatever the manufacturer set as default — which is printed on the sticker.

Look for a small reset button (usually recessed, requiring a paperclip to press) on the back of the router. Hold it for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will blink and the router will restart. Once it's back online, the network name and password will be whatever is printed on the sticker. You'll need to set up your network again from scratch, including creating a new password if you want one different from the default.

Why you cannot view the password on your phone

iPhones and Android phones do not let you view a saved WiFi password directly through settings. This is a security choice — the password is stored in a way that the phone can use it to connect, but the operating system doesn't expose it to you or to apps.

What you can do instead is use your phone to share the password with another device nearby. On an iPhone, go to Settings > WiFi, tap the network name, and tap Share Password. Hold another iPhone or iPad nearby and it will receive the password automatically. On Android, the process varies by manufacturer, but many phones let you generate a QR code from the network settings that another device can scan to connect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the WiFi password the same as my router login password?

No. The WiFi password (network key) is what you type to connect devices to the network. The router login password is what you use to access the settings page at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. They are separate and you only need the network key to connect a new device.

What if I changed my password and forgot the new one?

You can still retrieve it from any device that's already connected using the steps above for Windows, Mac, or Keychain. If no device remembers it, reset the router to factory settings and it will return to the default password on the sticker.

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

Not from a phone or tablet. You need a Windows or Mac computer that's already connected, or you need physical access to the router to read the sticker or reset it. If you're locked out completely, resetting the router is your only option.

Why does my router sticker show two different passwords?

One is usually the WiFi network password and the other is the admin password for the router settings page. The WiFi password is the one you need to connect devices. Check the label next to each one to be sure which is which.