Finding your WiFi password depends on which device you're using

Your WiFi password is stored on the device that created the network — usually your router. If you're already connected to the network, you can retrieve the password from that device without touching the router itself. If you've forgotten it completely and can't connect, you'll need to access the router directly.

The fastest route is usually your laptop or phone, since most devices save the password once you've entered it. You don't need to call your internet provider or reset anything. The steps differ slightly between Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android, but all of them take less than a minute once you know where to look.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, select your WiFi network, and click "Manage known networks" to view the saved password.
  • On Mac, open Keychain Access from Applications > Utilities, search for your network name, double-click it, and check "Show password" after entering your admin password.
  • On iPhone, go to Settings > WiFi, tap the info icon next to your network, and look for the password field if you're on iOS 16 or later.
  • On Android, open Settings > WiFi, long-press your connected network, tap "Share," and the password appears as a QR code you can scan or read as text.
  • If none of these work, you can reset the router to factory settings, but this erases all your network settings and requires you to set up the network again from scratch.

Finding your password on Windows

Open Settings and navigate to Network & Internet. On the left side, click WiFi, then scroll down and click Manage known networks. You'll see a list of every network your computer has ever connected to. Find your network name in the list and click it.

Click Forget — this sounds like it will delete something, but it just opens the network details. A new window appears with a button labeled Manage. Click that, then scroll down to find Security type and Security key. The security key is your WiFi password. You can copy it from there.

If you don't see the password field, your account doesn't have permission to view it. You'll need to log in as the administrator of that computer, or use a different device to find the password instead.

Finding your password on Mac

Open Keychain Access by clicking the Spotlight icon (magnifying glass in the top right), typing "keychain," and pressing Enter. In the Keychain window, make sure Passwords is selected on the left side. In the search box at the top right, type your network name exactly as it appears in your WiFi list.

Your network will appear in the results. Double-click it. A small window opens showing the network details. Check the box next to Show password. Your Mac will ask for your computer's admin password — enter it, and the WiFi password appears in the password field.

If you don't see your network in the search results, it means your Mac hasn't saved the password yet. You'll need to use a different device, or connect to the network again and repeat these steps.

Finding your password on iPhone

This method works on iOS 16 and later. Open Settings and tap WiFi. Find your connected network in the list and tap the information icon (a small circle with an "i") next to the network name. A details screen appears. Look for the Password field — it shows your WiFi password in plain text.

If you don't see a password field, your iPhone is running an older version of iOS. You can update it by going to Settings > General > Software Update, or use a different device to find the password instead.

Once you see the password, you can tap and hold it to copy it, or read it directly to enter on another device. This is the simplest method if you have an iPhone and are already connected to the network.

Finding your password on Android

Open Settings and go to WiFi (sometimes labeled Network & Internet or Connections depending on your phone brand). Find your connected network in the list and long-press it — hold your finger on it for a second or two until a menu appears. Tap Share or View password.

Your phone will ask for your lock screen PIN, pattern, or fingerprint. Enter it. The password then appears either as a QR code or as plain text. If it's a QR code, you can scan it with another device to connect. If it's text, you can read it directly or take a screenshot.

The exact wording of these menu options varies by phone manufacturer — Samsung, Google Pixel, and other brands use slightly different names — but the process is the same. If you can't find the option, search your phone's Settings for "WiFi password" to jump directly to the right screen.

What to do if you can't find the password on any device

If you don't have access to any device that's already connected to the network, you'll need to reset the router. Locate the small Reset button on the back or bottom of your router — it's usually recessed so you can't press it by accident. Use a paperclip or the tip of a pen to press and hold it for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on.

The router will restart and return to its factory settings. All your network settings are erased, including the password you set. Once it boots back up, you'll see the default network name and password printed on a sticker on the router itself. Connect using those credentials, then log into the router's admin panel to set a new password and network name.

This process takes about five minutes total, but it means you'll have to reconnect every device on your network. It's worth doing only if you truly can't access the password any other way.

Keeping your password find after you find it

Once you have your password, don't share it in text messages, emails, or over the phone. If someone needs to connect, read it to them in person or use your phone's share feature (the QR code method on Android, or the share sheet on iPhone) to let them scan it instead of typing it out.

If you think someone has your password without permission, change it. Log into your router by typing its IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into a web browser, enter the admin username and password (also on the sticker if you haven't changed them), and look for a WiFi settings or security section. Change the password there, and every device will be disconnected. You'll need to reconnect them with the new password.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Not from your phone or tablet — they only store passwords for networks they've already connected to. You'll need a computer that's connected, or you'll have to reset the router. If you have a laptop connected via ethernet cable, that counts as a connected device and you can use it to find the password.

What if the password field is blank or shows asterisks instead of the actual password?

On Windows and Mac, this usually means your account doesn't have admin permission. Try logging in as the computer's administrator, or use a different device. On iPhone and Android, if the field is blank, the network may not have a password set — try connecting without entering one.

Is it safe to write down my WiFi password?

Yes, writing it down and storing it somewhere safe (like a notebook in a drawer) is fine. The risk isn't the password itself — it's sharing it with people you don't trust or leaving it visible where guests can see it. A written copy in your home is much more find than texting it to someone.

Do I need to know my WiFi password to change it?

No. You need the router's admin password instead, which is different. The admin password is usually printed on the router's sticker. If you've changed it and forgotten it, you'll need to reset the router to factory settings.

Why does my phone show the password as a QR code instead of text?

Android's share feature generates a QR code for security — it's harder to accidentally screenshot or share a code than plain text. You can usually tap the QR code to see the password as text instead, or scan it with another device to connect without typing anything.