Where your computer stores the WiFi password

Your computer keeps the WiFi password in a protected system file so it can reconnect automatically without asking you every time. On Windows, this lives in the Credential Manager. On Mac, it's in the Keychain. On Linux, it depends on your network manager, but usually in a config file. The password is encrypted, so you can't just open a folder and read it — you have to ask the operating system to show it to you, and it will only do that if you have admin rights on that machine.

The steps differ by operating system, but the idea is the same: you're telling your computer to decrypt and display a password it already knows. You'll need to be logged in as an administrator or have the admin password ready.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then WiFi, select your network, and click "Manage known networks" to see the password.
  • On Mac, open Keychain Access, search for your network name, double-click it, check "Show password", and enter your Mac login password when prompted.
  • On Linux, the location varies by distribution, but often you can view the password in /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/ if you have sudo access.
  • You must have administrator or sudo privileges on the computer to view a saved WiFi password.

Finding the password on Windows 10 and Windows 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then click the app. Go to Network & Internet on the left side. Click WiFi, then scroll down and click Manage known networks. Find your network name in the list and click it. Click Forget if you want to remove it, or click Properties to see more details about the connection.

In the Properties window, scroll down to the Security type section. You'll see a field labeled Security key with dots or asterisks hiding the password. Click the eye icon next to it to reveal the password in plain text. Windows will ask you to confirm your identity — enter your Windows password or use Windows Hello (fingerprint or face recognition) if you've set that up.

If you don't see an eye icon, the network may not have a password, or you may not have admin rights on this account. Ask the person who set up the computer or network for help.

Finding the password on Mac

Open Spotlight by pressing Command + Space, type "Keychain Access", and press Enter. In the Keychain Access window, make sure you're on the Passwords tab at the top. In the search box at the top right, type your WiFi network name exactly as it appears in your WiFi menu.

When you find it in the list, double-click it. A new window will open showing details about that network. Check the box next to Show password near the bottom. Your Mac will ask you to enter your login password — type it and click Allow. The WiFi password will now appear in plain text in that same field.

If Keychain Access doesn't open or you can't find your network, you may not have permission to view it. This usually means someone else set up the network on this Mac, and you'll need their help.

Finding the password on Linux

Linux stores WiFi passwords in different places depending on which network manager your system uses. The most common is NetworkManager, which stores connections in /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/. Open a terminal and type the command: sudo cat /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/[your-network-name], replacing [your-network-name] with your actual network name. You'll be asked for your sudo password.

The file will display in plain text, and you'll see a line that says psk= followed by the password. If you use a different network manager like ConnMan or iwd, the location will be different — check your distribution's documentation or ask in a Linux forum with your specific distribution name.

If you see "Permission denied" when you run the command, you don't have sudo access. Contact the person who manages this computer.

What to do if you can't remember your admin password

If you've forgotten your Windows or Mac admin password, you can't view the saved WiFi password without resetting the account. On Windows, you can use another admin account on the same computer, or use a Microsoft account password reset if you set that up. On Mac, you can use Recovery Mode to reset your password, but this requires restarting your computer and may take 15 minutes or more.

The easiest option is usually to ask whoever set up the network for the password directly. They can tell you without needing access to your computer.

Viewing the password on a phone or tablet instead

If you need the password but don't have a computer handy, you can often find it on the phone or tablet that's already connected. On iPhone and iPad with iOS 16 or later, go to Settings, tap WiFi, find your network, and tap the info icon — the password appears at the top. On Android, go to Settings, tap Network & Internet, WiFi, find your network, tap it, and select "Share" to see the password as a QR code or text.

On older phones or tablets, the password is usually not visible in the settings, and you'll need to use a computer instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my computer show an eye icon but the password is still hidden?

The eye icon may be grayed out if you don't have admin rights on this account. Try clicking it anyway — Windows will prompt you to enter your admin password. If nothing happens, you need to ask an administrator on this computer to show you the password.

Can I find the password if I'm not the one who set up the WiFi?

Only if you have an admin account on the computer. If you don't, you'll need to ask the network owner or the person who set up the computer. They can tell you the password or create a new one for you.

What if the network name doesn't appear in my list of known networks?

If your computer has never connected to that network before, it won't be in the saved list. You'll need to ask someone who has connected to it, or contact the network owner for the password.

Is it safe to share my WiFi password after I find it?

Yes, sharing the password itself is safe. The password only lets someone connect to your network — it doesn't give them access to your files or accounts. If you want to stop sharing it later, you can change the password in your router settings.

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

Yes, as long as your computer has connected to it before and saved the password. Follow the same steps for your operating system, and search for the network name even if you're not connected to it right now.