Where to find your saved WiFi password

Your computer stores the password for every WiFi network you have ever connected to. You can retrieve it without resetting the router or calling your internet provider. The steps differ depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, but all three keep the password in the same logical place: the system's network settings.

The password you find will be the one your computer used to connect. If you changed the password at the router since you last connected, the stored password will be the old one. If you need the current password, you will need to check the router itself or contact whoever manages the network.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows stores WiFi passwords in Settings under Network & Internet, and you can view them in plain text if you are logged in as an administrator.
  • Mac users can find saved passwords in Keychain Access by searching for the network name and viewing the password in the details window.
  • Linux users can retrieve passwords from the NetworkManager configuration files, though the exact location depends on your distribution.
  • You must be logged into the computer as an administrator or the account that originally connected to the network to view the password.
  • If you cannot remember which network you connected to, check your router's label or your internet bill for the default network name.

Finding the password on Windows 10 or 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select the Settings app. Navigate to Network & Internet, then select WiFi from the left sidebar. Scroll down and click "Manage known networks." You will see a list of every network your computer has connected to.

Find the network name you need and click it. Select "Forget" if you want to remove it, or select "Properties" to view the password. In the Properties window, scroll down to the "Security" section. You will see a field labeled "Network security key." Click the eye icon next to it to reveal the password in plain text.

If you do not see the eye icon or the password field is blank, you may not have administrator rights on this computer. Ask the person who set up the account, or try logging in with a different administrator account.

Finding the password on Mac

Open Keychain Access by pressing Command and Space together, typing "Keychain Access," and pressing Enter. 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 appears in the list, double-click it. A window will open showing the network details. Check the box labeled "Show password" near the bottom. Your Mac will ask you to confirm your login password. Enter it and click "Allow." The WiFi password will now appear in plain text in the password field.

If you see a message that the item cannot be found, the network may be stored under a slightly different name. Try searching for just part of the network name, or scroll through the full Keychain list manually.

Finding the password on Linux

Linux stores WiFi passwords in the NetworkManager configuration files, but the exact steps depend on which distribution you use. Most modern distributions (Ubuntu, Fedora, Linux Mint) follow the same process.

Open a terminal and type the following command: sudo cat /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/[network-name], replacing [network-name] with the exact name of your WiFi network. Press Enter and type your password when prompted. The file will display in the terminal, and you will see a line labeled "psk=" followed by the WiFi password in plain text.

If that file does not exist, try: sudo grep -r "psk=" /etc/NetworkManager/. This will search all NetworkManager files and show you every saved password on the system. Find the network you need in the output.

What to do if you cannot find the password

If the network does not appear in your saved networks list, your computer has never connected to it before, or the connection was made under a different user account. Try logging into the other account and repeating the steps above.

If the network is not listed under any account, you will need to check the router itself. Most routers have a sticker on the back or bottom with the default network name and password. If the password has been changed, you will need to contact the person who manages the network or reset the router to factory settings (which will erase all custom settings).

Why your computer might not show the password

Some networks use enterprise security settings that do not store a traditional password on your device. These networks, common in offices and schools, authenticate you through a username and password or a certificate instead. In these cases, the password field will be empty or grayed out, and you will need to contact your network administrator.

If you are not logged in as an administrator, Windows and Mac will not display the password for security reasons. Ask whoever set up the computer to log in and retrieve it for you, or create an administrator account if you own the device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see a WiFi password if I am not the one who connected to it?

Only if you are logged into the computer as an administrator or the account that originally made the connection. If someone else set up the network on this device, you will need their login credentials or administrator access to view the password.

What if the password field shows asterisks or is blank?

On Windows, click the eye icon to reveal it. On Mac, check the "Show password" box. If neither works, the network may use enterprise authentication instead of a standard password, or you may not have the right account permissions.

Will finding the password change anything on my computer or router?

No. Viewing a saved password does not modify it, reset the network, or affect your connection. You are only reading information your computer already has stored.

Can I find a password for a network I am not currently connected to?

Yes, as long as your computer has connected to it before and saved the password. The network does not need to be in range or active for you to retrieve the stored password from your system settings.

What should I do if I found the password but it is not working?

The password you found is the one your computer used to connect. If it is not working now, the network password has been changed since you last connected. You will need to check the router directly or contact the network owner for the current password.