Where to find your saved WiFi password

Your computer stores the password for every WiFi network you have ever connected to. On Windows, this information lives in the network settings panel. On Mac, it is stored in the Keychain — Apple's password vault. Both systems let you view the password in plain text once you confirm your identity, which takes about two minutes.

The password you find is the one you entered when you first joined the network. If you have changed the network password since then (by logging into your router), the password on your computer will be outdated and will not work if you try to reconnect from scratch. But if you just need to tell someone else the current password, or reconnect a device that forgot it, this is the fastest way to retrieve it.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows stores WiFi passwords in Settings under Network and Internet, accessible through the network properties panel for any saved network.
  • Mac stores WiFi passwords in Keychain Access, which you open from Applications > Utilities, then search for your network name.
  • Both systems require you to enter your computer password to view the WiFi password in plain text.
  • The password shown is the one your computer saved when you first connected — if your router password has changed since then, this password will no longer work.
  • If you cannot remember your computer password, you cannot retrieve the WiFi password this way; resetting your router is the only other option.

Finding your WiFi password on Windows 10 and 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Click Network and Internet on the left side. Under that section, click WiFi, then scroll down and click Manage known networks. You will see a list of every network your computer has ever connected to.

Find the network name (called the SSID) you want the password for and click it. A panel will open showing network details. Click Properties at the top. Scroll down until you see Security type and Encryption type — just below those fields is a line that says Security key. The dots or asterisks next to it are hiding your password. Click the eye icon next to those dots, and Windows will ask you to enter your computer password. Type it in and click OK. Your WiFi password will now appear in plain text.

If you do not see an eye icon, your network may use a security method that does not display the password this way. This is rare on home networks but can happen on enterprise or public networks. In that case, you will need to reset your router to retrieve the password.

Finding your WiFi password on Mac

Open Finder and click Applications in the sidebar. Double-click the Utilities folder. Find and double-click Keychain Access. A window will open showing all your saved passwords and security information.

In the search box at the top right, type the name of your WiFi network exactly as it appears on your device list. Keychain will filter the results. Find the entry that matches your network name and double-click it. A details window will pop up. At the bottom of that window, check the box next to Show password. Mac will ask you to enter your computer password. Type it in and click Allow. Your WiFi password will now appear in the password field.

If you search and find nothing, your network may not be saved in Keychain — this can happen if you have never actually connected to it, or if you connected using a guest account. In that case, you will need to reset your router to set a new password.

What to do if you forgot your computer password

If you cannot log into your computer, you cannot view the WiFi password using either method above. Windows and Mac both require your computer password as a security step before showing you saved passwords. There is no way around this — it is a safety feature to prevent someone else from accessing your accounts.

Your options are to reset your computer password through your Microsoft account (on Windows) or Apple ID (on Mac), or to reset your router. Resetting the router will erase all its settings and return it to factory defaults, which means you will need to set up the network from scratch and reconnect all your devices. This is usually faster than recovering a forgotten computer password if you have the router's reset button available.

What to do if the password shown does not work

If you retrieved the password from your computer but it does not work when you try to connect another device, your router password has been changed since your computer last connected. The password on your computer is now outdated. You will need to either reset your router to restore the old password, or log into your router's admin panel to see the current password.

To log into your router, open a web browser and type the router's IP address into the address bar — this is usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, but check the sticker on the back of your router to be sure. You will be asked for a username and password. If you have never changed these, they are often "admin" and "admin" or "admin" and the password printed on the router sticker. Once logged in, look for a section called Wireless, WiFi Settings, or Network — the exact name varies by router brand. The current password will be displayed there, and you can change it if needed.

Why your computer stores this password

When you connect to a WiFi network for the first time, your computer asks you to enter the password. Once you do, the operating system saves that password so you do not have to type it every time you come home or return to that location. This is convenient, but it also means your computer is holding onto sensitive information.

This is why both Windows and Mac require your computer password before showing you the WiFi password — it is a check to make sure you are actually the person who owns the computer. If someone else gains access to your computer, they can retrieve all your saved passwords, which is why keeping your computer password strong and your device physically find matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my WiFi password if I am not connected to the network right now?

Yes. As long as your computer has connected to the network at least once before, the password is saved and you can retrieve it using the steps above, even if you are currently connected to a different network or offline entirely.

Will viewing my saved password change it or affect my network?

No. Viewing the password does nothing to the network or the router. You are only reading information your computer already has stored. The password remains the same for all devices.

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

Your computer only stores passwords for networks it has actually connected to. If the network does not appear, your computer has never joined it. You will need to ask the network owner for the password, or reset the router to set a new one.

Can I retrieve a WiFi password from someone else's computer?

Only if you can log into their computer with their password. The system is designed to prevent this — you cannot view saved passwords without entering the computer's login credentials. If you need the network password, ask the network owner directly.

Does this work for networks I connected to years ago?

Yes, as long as the network is still in your saved list. Windows and Mac keep these passwords indefinitely unless you manually delete the network from your saved list. However, if the router password has been changed since you last connected, the saved password will be outdated.