Where to find your saved WiFi password

Your computer stores the WiFi password you entered when you first connected to the network. You can retrieve it without calling your internet provider or resetting your router. The steps differ depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, but all three let you view the password in plain text once you open the right menu.

The password is stored locally on your device in an encrypted settings file. Your computer needs administrator access to show it to you — this is a security feature to prevent someone else from casually reading your WiFi credentials if they sit down at your machine.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows stores WiFi passwords in Settings under Network and Internet, where you can view any saved network's password in plain text.
  • Mac users can find the password in Keychain Access by searching for the network name and checking the "Show password" box.
  • Linux users can view passwords in the NetworkManager settings file or by using the command line, depending on which desktop environment they use.
  • You need administrator or sudo access on your device to view any saved password.
  • If you cannot remember which network you connected to, your computer's network settings will list all saved networks with their names.

Finding your WiFi password on Windows 10 and 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the app that appears. Select Network and Internet from the left menu, then click WiFi. Scroll down and click Manage known networks.

You will see a list of every network your computer has ever connected to. Click the network name you need the password for, then click Forget — do not worry, this does not delete the password, it just opens the network details. A new window will appear. Look for the line that says Security type and Security key. The security key is your WiFi password, but it will appear as dots or asterisks. Click the eye icon next to it to reveal the actual password in plain text.

If you do not see an eye icon, try this alternate route: right-click the network name in the list and select Properties. Scroll to the bottom of the window and check the box next to Show characters under the security key field.

Finding your WiFi password on Mac

Open Spotlight by pressing Command and Space together, type "Keychain Access," and press Enter. In the window that opens, make sure you are on the Passwords tab at the top. In the search box at the top right, type the name of your WiFi network exactly as it appears on your device.

When the network name appears in the list, double-click it. A small window will pop up showing the network details. At the bottom, you will see a checkbox labeled Show password. Click it. Your Mac will ask you to confirm your user password — type it and click Allow. The WiFi password will now appear in plain text in the password field.

If you cannot remember the exact network name, you can browse the full list in Keychain Access without searching. Scroll through the passwords list until you find an entry that looks like a network name (they usually appear near the top of the alphabetical list).

Finding your WiFi password on Linux

The method depends on which desktop environment and network manager your Linux system uses. The most common setup is NetworkManager, which stores passwords in a system file you can access through the command line.

Open a terminal and type the following command, replacing "YourNetworkName" with the exact name of your WiFi network:

sudo grep -r "ssid=YourNetworkName" /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/

Press Enter and type your user password when prompted. The system will show you the file path. Then type this command, replacing the file path with the one that appeared:

sudo cat /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/YourNetworkName

Look for the line that says psk= followed by a string of characters. That string is your WiFi password. If you use GNOME desktop, you can also open Settings, go to WiFi, click the gear icon next to your network name, and look for the password field — though it may not display the password in plain text depending on your version.

What to do if you cannot see the password

If the password field remains blank or hidden after you follow these steps, your computer may not have saved the password. This happens when you connected to the network but did not check the "remember this network" or "save password" option at the time. In that case, you will need to get the password from your router or from whoever set up the network.

If you are the router owner, you can reset the network password by logging into the router itself. The router's IP address is usually printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the device — it typically looks like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. Type that address into your web browser, log in with the admin username and password (also on the sticker if you have never changed them), and look for the WiFi or Wireless settings section.

Protecting your WiFi password after you find it

Once you have the password, do not share it in plain text through email, text message, or chat. If you need to give it to someone, read it aloud or write it on paper in person. If you suspect someone has seen your password, change it through your router settings — this will disconnect all devices currently using the network, and they will need the new password to reconnect.

Change your WiFi password every few months as a routine security practice, especially if many people have used your network over time. A strong password is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see the password if I am not the computer's administrator?

No. Windows, Mac, and Linux all require administrator or sudo access to display saved passwords. If you are not the administrator, ask whoever set up the computer to show you the password or to change the network settings.

Will viewing the password change or delete it?

No. straightforward looking at the password does not affect it. The password remains saved on your computer and on your router. You can view it as many times as you need.

What if the network name does not appear in my saved networks list?

Your computer only stores passwords for networks it has connected to before. If the network is not in the list, your device has never saved a connection to it. You will need to get the password from the router owner or by logging into the router directly.

Does finding my password mean someone else can find it too?

Only if they have physical access to your computer and know your user password. The password is encrypted in storage, so someone cannot straightforward plug in a USB drive and steal it. However, if someone has your computer and your login credentials, they can view it the same way you did.

Can I change my WiFi password from my computer?

You cannot change it directly from Windows, Mac, or Linux settings. You must log into your router through a web browser using the router's IP address and admin credentials. Once logged in, look for the WiFi or Wireless settings section to change the password.