Where your WiFi password actually lives

Your WiFi password is stored in three places: on your router itself (usually on a sticker), in your device's network settings, and in your router's admin panel. The fastest route depends on what you need it for. If you just forgot it and need to reconnect a device, your router's sticker is the answer. If you need to retrieve a password you set months ago and can no longer remember, your computer or phone can show it to you — but the steps are different on each device.

The password you use to connect to WiFi is not the same as your router's admin password (the one you use to log in and change settings). This guide covers finding your network password, the one you type when you first connect a device to your WiFi.

Key Takeaways

  • Most routers have the default WiFi password printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the device.
  • Windows computers store your WiFi password in network settings and can display it if you have admin access to that computer.
  • Mac computers show saved WiFi passwords through Keychain, which requires your login password to access.
  • iPhones and Android phones do not display saved WiFi passwords in their settings, but you can see it on the router itself or through your computer.
  • If you changed the password and forgot it, you can reset the router to factory settings, which restores the password on the sticker.

Check the router sticker first

Walk to your router — the box that sends WiFi signal to your home. Look on the back, bottom, or sides for a white or silver sticker. This sticker lists your network name (called the SSID) and the password, usually labeled as "WiFi Password," "Network Key," or "Passphrase." Write down exactly what you see, including capital letters and numbers, because WiFi passwords are case-sensitive.

If the sticker is missing or worn away, you can still retrieve the password from your computer or phone. If you changed the password yourself and no longer remember it, you will need to use your computer's settings or reset the router.

Find your password on a Windows computer

Open Settings and go to Network & Internet, then select WiFi from the left menu. Click Manage Known Networks and find your network name in the list. Click it, then click Properties. Scroll down to the Security Type section and toggle the switch next to Show under the password field. Your password will appear in plain text.

You must be logged into the computer with an account that has admin rights for this to work. If you are on a work or school computer, the network settings may be locked and you will not be able to see the password this way.

If your network does not appear in the list, it means your computer has never connected to it before. In that case, you will need to check the router sticker or use a different device.

Find your password on a Mac

Open Spotlight (press Command + Space), type "Keychain Access," and press Enter. In the window that opens, search for your network name in the top right. When you find it, double-click the entry. A small window will open. Check the box next to Show Password near the bottom. Your Mac will ask for your login password — type it in. Your WiFi password will then appear in the password field.

Keychain stores passwords for everything you have logged into on your Mac, so you may see multiple entries with similar names if you have connected to the same network with different passwords over time. Look for the most recent one.

What to do on iPhone and Android

iPhones and Android phones do not have a built-in way to display a saved WiFi password in their settings. If you need the password on your phone, your best options are to check the router sticker, retrieve it on a computer using the steps above, or reset the router.

Some Android phones made by Samsung or other manufacturers may show a QR code in WiFi settings that you can share with other devices, but this does not display the actual password as text. If you need the password in text form, use a Windows or Mac computer instead.

Reset the router if you cannot find the password

If the sticker is gone, you do not have access to a computer, and you cannot remember the password you set, you can reset the router to its factory settings. This erases all your custom settings and restores the password printed on the sticker.

Locate the small reset button on the back of your router (usually recessed so you need a paperclip or pen to press it). With the router powered on, hold the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds until the lights blink or the router restarts. This takes about two minutes. Once it finishes restarting, the network password will be the one on the sticker again.

After you reset the router, you will need to reconnect all your devices using the default password, and you can set a new custom password through the router's admin panel if you want to change it again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the WiFi password the same as the admin password?

No. The WiFi password is what you type to connect devices to your network. The admin password is what you use to log into the router's settings page to change the network name, password, or other configurations. They are separate and stored in different places.

Why can't I see the password on my iPhone?

Apple does not include a feature to display saved WiFi passwords in iPhone settings. You can see it on a Mac using Keychain, on a Windows computer through network settings, or on the router sticker itself. If you need to share the password with someone else, you can use AirDrop on Mac or iPhone to send the network details without typing the password.

What if I reset the router and still don't see a password on the sticker?

Some routers, especially older ones, may have a blank sticker or the text may have faded completely. Check the router's manual or the manufacturer's website for the default password. You can also contact your internet service provider — they may have a record of the router model and its default credentials.

Can I see passwords for networks I'm not connected to?

No. Your computer only stores passwords for networks you have actually connected to before. If you need the password for a network you have never joined, you will need to ask the person who set it up or check the router itself.