Where to find your saved WiFi password

Your computer stores the password for every WiFi network you have connected to before. On Windows, this information lives in your network settings. On Mac, it is stored in the Keychain — Apple's password vault. Both systems let you view the password in plain text, though the steps differ between them.

You do not need special software or administrator access beyond what you already have on your own computer. The process takes about two minutes and works whether you connected to the network last week or last year.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows stores WiFi passwords in Settings under Network, where you can view them without retyping anything.
  • Mac stores WiFi passwords in Keychain Access, a built-in app you open from Applications > Utilities.
  • Both methods require you to be logged into your user account on that computer.
  • If you cannot remember your password and your computer is not connected to that network, you will need to reset it on your router instead.

Finding your WiFi password on Windows 10 or 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Click Network and Internet on the left side. Select WiFi, then scroll down and click Manage known networks.

You will see a list of every network your computer has connected to. Find the one you need and click it. A window will open with network details. Click Security to expand that section. Check the box next to Show characters — your password will appear in the field labeled Security key.

If you do not see the network in the list, your computer has never connected to it before. In that case, you will need to find the password another way — either by checking your router or asking whoever set up the network.

Finding your WiFi password on Mac

Open Finder and navigate to Applications > Utilities. Double-click Keychain Access. 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 window will open showing the network details. Check the box labeled Show password. Your Mac will ask you to confirm your user account password — type it in and click Allow. The WiFi password will now be visible in plain text.

If nothing appears in the search results, your Mac has never connected to that network before. You will need to find the password through your router or the person who manages the network.

What to do if the password is not there

If you follow these steps and the network does not appear, it means your computer has never saved a connection to it. This happens when you are using a different device to connect, or when you are trying to find a password for a network at someone else's house.

Your only option at that point is to reset the password on the router itself. You will need physical access to the router and the ability to log into its admin panel — usually through a web browser at an address like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. If you do not have access to the router, contact the person who manages the network.

Why your computer stores these passwords

When you connect to a WiFi network and choose to save the password, your computer encrypts it and stores it locally. This is why you can reconnect automatically without typing it in again. The password stays on your computer even if you move to a different location or the network goes offline.

This also means the password is only visible to someone who has access to your user account on that computer. If you share a computer with others, they can see your saved passwords using the same steps — so keep that in mind if you are concerned about privacy.

Viewing passwords for networks you are not currently connected to

You do not need to be connected to a network to see its password. As long as your computer has connected to it before and saved the password, you can view it through Settings (Windows) or Keychain (Mac) at any time, even if the network is offline or you are in a different location.

This is useful if you need to give someone the password but cannot access the router, or if you are troubleshooting a connection problem and need to verify what password your computer is using.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see a WiFi password if I have never connected to that network before?

No. Your computer only stores passwords for networks it has previously connected to. If you need a password for a network you have never used, you will need to reset it on the router or contact the network owner.

What if I forgot my Windows or Mac password and cannot log in?

You cannot view saved WiFi passwords without being logged into your user account. If you are locked out of your computer, you will need to reset your user account password first through your operating system's recovery options, or contact your IT support if this is a work computer.

Is it safe to view my WiFi password this way?

Yes, as long as you are the only person with access to your user account. Anyone who can log into your computer can see your saved passwords, so keep your account password find. If you share a computer, consider changing your WiFi password if you are concerned about who has seen it.

Why does my network not show up even though I connected to it before?

Networks sometimes disappear from the saved list if you have not connected to them in a very long time, or if your computer's network settings were reset. You can reconnect manually and save the password again, or check your router to confirm the network name and password are still the same.