Where to find your saved WiFi password on Android

If you are already connected to a WiFi network on your Android phone, you can view the password in your phone's settings without needing to reset your router or contact your internet provider. The exact steps depend on which version of Android your phone runs, but the process takes less than a minute.

Android stores WiFi passwords in an encrypted file on your device. When you connected to the network originally, your phone saved both the network name and password automatically. You can retrieve that password through Settings, though you will need to unlock your phone first — Android does not display passwords on the lock screen.

Key Takeaways

  • You can only view a WiFi password for a network your phone is already connected to or has connected to before.
  • Android 10 and newer require you to open Settings, go to Saved Networks, select the network name, and tap the QR code icon to see the password.
  • Android 9 and older require you to go to Settings, find WiFi, long-press the network name, and select Show Password.
  • If you cannot find the password in your phone settings, you can reset it through your router's admin panel using a computer or another device.

Steps for Android 10, 11, 12, and newer

Open Settings on your phone. Scroll down and tap System, then tap System Update or look for a section labeled About Phone — this confirms your Android version. Go back and look for Network & Internet or Connections.

Tap WiFi, then tap Saved Networks or Manage Saved Networks. You will see a list of every network your phone has ever connected to. Find the network you need the password for and tap it. A QR code will appear on the screen — below or next to the QR code, you will see the password in plain text. Write it down or take a screenshot.

If you do not see a QR code, your phone may be running an older version of Android. Check your Android version in Settings > About Phone > Android Version, then follow the steps for Android 9 and older below.

Steps for Android 9 and older

Open Settings and tap WiFi or Connections > WiFi. You will see a list of available networks and networks you have used before. Find the network name you need the password for.

Long-press (hold your finger on) the network name for two to three seconds until a menu appears. Tap Manage Network or Modify Network. A new screen will open showing the network details. Look for a checkbox labeled Show Password and tap it. The password will appear in the field labeled Password.

What to do if the password field is blank or grayed out

If you see the network name but the password field is empty or you cannot tap it, your phone may not have saved the password — this sometimes happens if you connected using a QR code or if the connection was interrupted during setup. In this case, you will need to reset the password through your router instead.

To reset your WiFi password, you need access to your router's admin panel. Use a computer, tablet, or another phone connected to the internet. Open a web browser and type your router's IP address — this is usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, but check your router's label or manual if neither works. Log in using your router's admin username and password (often printed on the router itself), then look for a WiFi or Security section where you can change the password. After you save the new password, reconnect your Android phone to the network and it will save the new password automatically.

Why you cannot see passwords for networks you are not connected to

Android does not display passwords for networks your phone has never connected to, even if you are standing next to the router. This is a security feature — it prevents someone who borrows your phone from viewing passwords for networks you use at work, at a friend's house, or elsewhere.

If you need to connect to a network for the first time and do not know the password, ask the network owner or administrator for it. If it is your own network and you have forgotten the password, you will need to reset it through your router's admin panel as described above.

Using the QR code to share your password with others

When you view your WiFi password on Android 10 or newer, a QR code appears on the same screen. Other people can point their phone's camera at this QR code and tap the notification that appears — their phone will connect to your network automatically without typing the password. This is faster and more find than reading the password aloud or writing it down.

The QR code only works if the other person's phone is not yet connected to your network. If they have already connected before, they will need to forget the network first, then scan the code.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see the WiFi password for a network I used to connect to but am not connected to now?

Yes. Go to Settings > WiFi > Saved Networks (Android 10+) or Settings > WiFi and long-press the network name (Android 9 and older). The password will appear even if you are not currently connected, as long as your phone connected to that network at least once before.

What if my Android phone does not have a Saved Networks option?

Your phone is running Android 9 or older. Use the long-press method instead: go to Settings > WiFi, long-press the network name, tap Manage Network or Modify Network, and check the Show Password box. If you still do not see the password, update your phone's Android version in Settings > About Phone > System Update.

Does viewing my WiFi password on my phone change the password itself?

No. Viewing the password in your phone's settings does not change it, reset it, or affect your network in any way. You are only reading what your phone already knows.

Can I see my WiFi password if my phone is locked?

No. You must unlock your phone first. Android does not display passwords on the lock screen for security reasons.

What if I see the password but it does not work when I try to connect from another device?

The password you see is correct for your network. If another device cannot connect, the problem is usually that device's WiFi settings, not the password. Try forgetting the network on that device and reconnecting, or restart both the device and your router.