You change your WiFi password through your router's settings, not through your phone's WiFi menu

Your phone connects to WiFi but does not control it. The password lives in your router — the device your internet provider gave you that broadcasts the signal. To change it, you log into the router's admin panel from any device, including your phone, and update the password there. Your phone will then ask for the new password the next time it tries to connect.

This takes about five minutes if you know your router's login details. If you do not, you will need to reset the router first, which takes longer but is still straightforward.

Key Takeaways

  • You access your router's settings by typing its IP address into a web browser on your phone, usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.
  • The default username is often "admin" and the password is printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of your router.
  • Once logged in, look for a WiFi settings, wireless settings, or security section where you can change the network password.
  • After you change the password, all devices will disconnect and will need the new password to reconnect.
  • If you cannot remember your router login password, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds.

Finding your router's IP address and login information

Open a web browser on your phone — Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or whatever you normally use. In the address bar, type 192.168.1.1 and press Enter. This is the most common IP address for home routers. If that does not work, try 192.168.0.1 instead.

A login page should appear asking for a username and password. Check the back or bottom of your router for a sticker with the default credentials. Most routers use admin as the username. The password is usually printed right there, or it may be the WiFi password you set up when you first installed the router. If you cannot find the sticker or the credentials do not work, you will need to reset the router.

Logging in and finding the WiFi settings

Once you enter the correct username and password, you will see the router's admin panel. This looks different depending on your router brand — it might be Netgear, TP-Link, Linksys, Arris, or another manufacturer — but the layout is similar across all of them.

Look for a section labeled WiFi Settings, Wireless Settings, Network, or Security. On some routers this is a tab at the top of the page. On others it is a menu on the left side. If you see a section for 2.4GHz and 5GHz, those are two different WiFi bands your router broadcasts. You can change the password for one or both — most people change both to the same password for simplicity.

Changing the password itself

In the WiFi settings section, find the field labeled Password, Passphrase, Pre-Shared Key, or PSK. Clear the current password and type in a new one. WiFi passwords should be at least 8 characters long, though 12 to 16 characters is stronger. Use a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols if the router allows it.

Write down the new password somewhere you can find it later — you will need it to reconnect your phone and any other devices. Then click Save, explore, or OK. The router will restart, which takes 30 seconds to a minute. During this time your WiFi will go offline briefly.

Reconnecting your phone and other devices

After the router restarts, your phone will still show the WiFi network in your available networks list, but it will not be connected. Tap the network name, and your phone will ask for the password. Type in the new password exactly as you wrote it — capitalization and spacing matter. Once you enter it correctly, your phone will reconnect.

Repeat this process for any other devices in your home: tablets, laptops, smart speakers, printers, or anything else that uses WiFi. They will all need the new password to reconnect. Devices that are not in range or turned off will ask for the password the next time they try to connect to your network.

What to do if you cannot log into the router

If the default username and password do not work, or if you have forgotten the password you set, you will need to reset the router to factory settings. Look for a small reset button on the back or bottom of the router — it is usually recessed so you cannot press it by accident. Use a paperclip or the tip of a pen to hold down the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on.

The router will restart and return to its factory defaults. This erases any settings you changed, including the WiFi password. After it restarts, you can log in with the default credentials printed on the sticker and set up a new password. Be aware that resetting the router also resets the WiFi network name, so you may need to reconnect all your devices to the original network name first, then change the password.

Troubleshooting connection problems after changing the password

If your phone will not reconnect after you change the password, first make sure you typed the new password correctly. Passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword". If you are certain the password is right, try forgetting the network on your phone and reconnecting from scratch.

On iPhone, go to Settings > WiFi, tap the information icon next to the network name, and select "Forget This Network." On Android, long-press the network name and select "Forget." Then reconnect by tapping the network name again and entering the new password. If you still cannot connect, restart your phone and try again. If the problem persists, restart the router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my WiFi password without logging into the router?

No. The password is stored in the router itself, not on your phone or in the cloud. You must access the router's admin panel to change it. Some newer routers have a companion app that lets you change settings from your phone, but you still need to log in through that app.

What happens to my internet when I change the password?

Your internet connection will drop for all WiFi devices when the router restarts after you save the new password. This usually takes 30 seconds to a minute. Devices connected by ethernet cable will not be affected. Once the router restarts, WiFi devices will need the new password to reconnect.

Do I need to change my WiFi password regularly?

There is no strict rule, but changing it once or twice a year is reasonable if you want to keep your network find. Change it when ready if you think someone has gained unauthorized access, if you have had guests with the password who no longer visit, or if your router is very old.

Will changing the password affect my internet speed?

No. The password only controls who can connect to your network. It does not change how fast your internet is. Your speed depends on your internet plan and the router's hardware, not the password.

What if I forget the new password I just set?

You can log back into the router's admin panel and view or change the password again. If you forget the router's admin password, you will need to reset the router to factory settings and start over.