Where to find your saved WiFi password on Samsung

Your Samsung tablet stores WiFi passwords in its system settings, and you can view any password for a network you've already connected to. The exact steps depend on which version of Android your tablet runs, but the process takes less than a minute once you know where to look.

The fastest route is through Settings > Connections > WiFi, where you'll see a list of networks your tablet remembers. Tap the network name, then tap "Manage" or the gear icon, and look for a "Show password" option. Some Samsung tablets also let you view the password by long-pressing the network name directly from the WiFi list.

Key Takeaways

  • You can only view passwords for networks your Samsung tablet has already connected to — the system doesn't store passwords for networks you've never joined.
  • The password appears in Settings under Connections > WiFi, then by tapping the network name and selecting "Manage" or a similar option.
  • Your tablet must have a PIN, pattern, or biometric lock enabled before Android will show you the actual password characters.
  • If you don't remember connecting to a network, you may need to check your router's default password or contact your internet provider instead.

Step-by-step: viewing a saved password

Open Settings on your Samsung tablet. You'll find this in your app drawer or by swiping down from the top and tapping the gear icon.

Tap Connections, then tap WiFi. You'll see a list of networks your tablet has connected to before, marked with a checkmark next to the one you're currently on.

Find the network whose password you need and tap it. A menu will appear with options. Look for a button labeled Manage, a gear icon, or sometimes just three dots. Tap whichever one appears.

In the next screen, look for Show password or View password. Tap it. Your tablet will ask you to confirm your identity — this might mean entering your PIN, drawing your pattern, or scanning your fingerprint. This security step is why you need a lock screen set up.

Once you've confirmed, the password will appear in plain text. You can now read it, write it down, or share it with someone else who needs to connect.

What to do if you don't see a "Show password" option

Older Samsung tablets running Android 9 or earlier sometimes don't display the password in the same way. If you tap the network and see only connection details like IP address and signal strength, try long-pressing the network name instead of tapping it once. A context menu may appear with additional options.

If that doesn't work, your tablet may not have a lock screen enabled. Android hides passwords from devices without a PIN, pattern, or biometric security. Go to Settings > Biometrics and Security > Screen Lock and set up at least a PIN, then return to the WiFi settings and try again.

On very rare occasions, a network won't store its password at all — this happens if your tablet connected using WPS (WiFi Protected Setup) or a QR code. In that case, you'll need to check your router or contact whoever set up the network.

Finding the password if you've never connected before

If you're trying to find a password for a network your tablet has never joined, the system settings won't have it. Instead, you'll need to check the router itself or contact the person who manages the network.

For your own home WiFi, look for a sticker on the back or bottom of your router — most manufacturers print the default network name and password there. If the network has been changed since installation, you'll need to log into the router's admin panel, usually by typing the router's IP address into a web browser. The default IP is often 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, and the admin username and password are also usually on the router's sticker.

For a work, school, or guest network, contact the IT department or network administrator. They can reset the password or provide a new one without needing to see the old one.

Why your tablet needs a lock screen to show passwords

Android requires a PIN, pattern, or biometric lock before displaying saved passwords. This is a security feature — it prevents someone who picks up your tablet from when ready seeing every WiFi password your device has ever stored.

Even if you live alone and don't think you need a lock screen, enabling one takes about 30 seconds and is the only way to view your passwords. Go to Settings > Biometrics and Security > Screen Lock, choose PIN or Pattern, and follow the prompts. You can set it to unlock automatically after a few minutes if you don't want to enter it constantly.

Troubleshooting: password appears wrong or won't connect

If you've found the password but it doesn't work when you try to connect another device, the password may have been changed since your tablet last connected. Networks can be updated by the router owner without notifying connected devices, so your tablet's stored version might be outdated.

Try forgetting the network and reconnecting. Go to Settings > Connections > WiFi, long-press the network name, and tap Forget. Then tap the network again, enter the password you found, and see if it connects. If it doesn't, the password has likely been changed, and you'll need to contact the network owner for the current one.

If you're certain the password is correct but your other device still won't connect, the problem may not be the password itself — it could be that the other device is too far from the router, the router is having issues, or the network has a device limit. Restart both the router and the device you're trying to connect, then try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see passwords for networks I've forgotten about?

Yes, as long as your tablet connected to them at least once. Every network your tablet has ever joined stays in the WiFi list unless you manually forget it. Scroll through your full network list in Settings > Connections > WiFi to find older networks you may not use anymore.

What if I forgot my tablet's PIN and can't unlock it to see the password?

You'll need to unlock your tablet first. If you've forgotten your PIN or pattern, you can reset it by entering your Samsung account credentials on the lock screen, or by performing a factory reset through recovery mode. Once your tablet is unlocked, you can then view your WiFi passwords normally.

Is it safe to share a WiFi password I found this way?

Yes, sharing a password you've retrieved from your own tablet is safe. The password itself is just a string of characters — knowing it doesn't give someone access to anything beyond that specific WiFi network. If it's your home network, you control who you share it with.

Why does my tablet ask for my fingerprint every time I view a password?

This is normal security behavior. Android requires you to confirm your identity each time you view a saved password, even if you've already unlocked your tablet. This prevents someone from borrowing your unlocked tablet and when ready seeing all your network passwords.

Can I view passwords for networks I'm not currently connected to?

Yes. Your tablet stores passwords for every network it has connected to, whether you're currently on that network or not. You can view any of them from the WiFi settings list, as long as your tablet has connected to them before.