Where to find your WiFi password

Your WiFi password is stored in your router — the box that broadcasts your network. You can view it without resetting anything, though the exact steps depend on whether you're using Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android. The password you set during setup is what you need; if you've forgotten it, you can retrieve it from the router's settings page or from the device you're already connected to.

Most people don't need to dig into the router itself. If you're already connected to the network on a phone or computer, that device remembers the password and can show it to you. This is usually faster than logging into the router, and it works even if you can't remember your router's admin password.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, you can view your saved WiFi password through Settings > Network > WiFi > Manage Known Networks without touching the router.
  • On Mac, the Keychain stores your password and you can view it by finding the network name in System Settings > WiFi and clicking Details.
  • On iPhone and Android, you can share the password as a QR code to let other devices connect, but viewing the password itself requires different steps on each platform.
  • If you've forgotten both your network password and your router's admin password, you will need to reset the router to factory settings, which erases all your custom settings.
  • Your router's default password is printed on a sticker on the device itself, and this is what you use to log in and change settings — not the WiFi password.

Viewing your password on Windows

Windows stores WiFi passwords in a way you can access without the router. Open Settings, then go to Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage Known Networks. Find your network name in the list and click it. Select Properties, then scroll down to Security. Toggle "Show" next to the password field and Windows will display the password in plain text.

If you don't see your network in the list, it means Windows hasn't saved it yet. Connect to the network first, wait for a stable connection, then return to this menu. Once Windows has connected at least once, the password will appear here.

Viewing your password on Mac

Mac stores WiFi passwords in Keychain, which is the system's password vault. Open System Settings, go to WiFi, and click Details next to your network name. In the window that opens, look for the password field. Click the eye icon next to it and enter your Mac's login password when prompted. Your WiFi password will then display in plain text.

If you don't see a password field, your Mac may not have saved the password yet. Disconnect from the network, reconnect, and try again. Some older Macs use a slightly different path — if you can't find WiFi in System Settings, try System Preferences instead.

Viewing your password on iPhone

iPhone doesn't let you view a saved password in plain text the way Windows and Mac do. Instead, you can share the password as a QR code that another device can scan to connect. Open Settings, go to WiFi, tap the network name, then tap Share Password. Hold another iPhone or iPad nearby and it will show a prompt to join. The other device connects without you typing anything.

If you need the actual password written out — for example, to give to a guest or to enter on a device that can't scan QR codes — you'll need to check it on a Windows or Mac computer instead, or log into your router's settings page directly.

Viewing your password on Android

Android's method depends on your phone's version and manufacturer. On most recent phones, open Settings, go to WiFi, long-press your network name, then tap Edit. Look for a password field and toggle the eye icon to show it. You may need to enter your phone's PIN or use biometric authentication.

Older Android phones don't always show the password this way. If you don't see an eye icon or password field, try opening Settings > Apps > Show System Apps, then find WiFi Manager or a similar app and look for network details there. If that doesn't work, your best option is to check the password on another device or through your router's settings page.

Logging into your router to find the password

If you can't view the password on any connected device, you can log into the router itself. Open a web browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar. You'll be prompted for a username and password — these are the router's admin credentials, not your WiFi password. The default username is usually admin, and the default password is printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the router.

Once you're logged in, look for a section called Wireless, WiFi Settings, or Network. Your WiFi password (also called the Pre-Shared Key or PSK) will be displayed there. Write it down or take a screenshot. If you've changed the router's admin password and forgotten it, you'll need to reset the router to factory settings, which erases all custom settings including your WiFi password.

Resetting your router if you've forgotten everything

If you can't access the router's settings page and you can't view the password on any device, a factory reset is your only option. Locate the small Reset button on the router — it's usually recessed so you need a paperclip or pin to press it. Hold it down for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will flash and the router will restart.

After the reset, the router returns to its default settings. Log in using the default credentials on the sticker, then set up your network again from scratch. This means creating a new WiFi name and password, and reconnecting all your devices. You'll lose any custom settings you had, such as port forwarding or parental controls, so reset only as a last resort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the WiFi password the same as the router's admin password?

No. The WiFi password is what guests use to connect to your network. The admin password is what you use to log into the router's settings page. They're separate and you can change them independently. The admin password is printed on the router's sticker; the WiFi password is one you create during setup.

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

No. You can only view a saved password on a device that has already connected to the network at least once. If you need the password on a device that's never connected, check it on another device first, or log into the router's settings page directly.

What if I see a password field but it's blank?

A blank password field usually means the network doesn't have a password — it's open to anyone. This is rare on home networks but common on public WiFi. If you intended to set a password, log into your router and add one in the WiFi settings section.

Will viewing my password change or reset it?

No. straightforward viewing the password does nothing to it. The password stays the same until you actively change it in the router's settings. All your connected devices will keep working.

Why can't I find my network in the Windows list?

Windows only shows networks it has connected to before. If you've never connected on that computer, the network won't appear. Connect to it first, then return to Settings > Network > WiFi > Manage Known Networks and it will be there.