Where to find your saved WiFi password on iPad

Your iPad stores WiFi passwords in the Settings app, but Apple does not show them in plain text the way some Android devices do. Instead, you can view a saved password in two ways: through your iPad's Settings if you set up that network yourself, or by checking your router's admin panel if you need the original password. The Settings route works only if you are already connected to that network.

If you are already connected to the WiFi network, open Settings, tap WiFi, find the network name in the list, tap the information icon (the small circle with an "i"), and look for the password field. On some iPad models running recent versions of iPadOS, you may see a "Password" field that you can tap to reveal the characters. On older versions, this field may not appear at all — in that case, your only option is the router method described below.

This method only works if you created the network connection yourself. If someone else set up the network on your iPad, or if you joined a network at a coffee shop or office, you will not see the password in Settings. You will need to ask the network owner or check the router directly.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, tap WiFi, select your network, tap the information icon, and look for a Password field — this only works if you set up the connection yourself.
  • If Settings does not show the password, you will need to access your router's admin panel using a computer or another device.
  • To access the router, open a web browser, type your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1), and log in with the admin username and password.
  • The router's admin password is different from your WiFi password and is often printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the router.
  • If you cannot find either password, contact your internet service provider or router manufacturer for help resetting access.

Accessing your router to find the original password

If your iPad does not show the password in Settings, you can find it by logging into your router's admin panel. This is the control center for your WiFi network, and it stores the actual password your router broadcasts. You will need a computer, phone, or tablet that is connected to the same network (or connected to your home network through ethernet).

Open a web browser on that device and type your router's IP address into the address bar. Most home routers use either 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 — try the first one, and if it does not work, try the second. You should see a login screen asking for a username and password. This is the router's admin login, not your WiFi password.

The admin username is often "admin" and the password is often "admin" or "password", but check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router first — manufacturers usually print the default login there. If you changed the admin password at some point and cannot remember it, you will need to reset the router to factory settings, which erases all your WiFi settings and forces you to set them up again.

Finding the password inside the router's admin panel

Once you are logged into the router's admin panel, look for a section labeled "WiFi", "Wireless", "Network", or "Security". The exact name varies by manufacturer — Netgear, TP-Link, Linksys, and others all organize their menus differently. You are looking for a field that shows your network name (SSID) and the password or passphrase associated with it.

In most routers, this information appears on a page labeled "Wireless Settings" or "WiFi Settings". The password field may be labeled "Passphrase", "Pre-Shared Key", "PSK", or straightforward "Password". Some routers hide the password behind a checkbox that says "Show Password" or similar — click that box to reveal the actual characters instead of dots or asterisks.

Write down the password exactly as it appears, including capital letters, numbers, and special characters. WiFi passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyPassword123" is different from "mypassword123". Once you have the password, you can close the router's admin panel and return to your iPad to re-enter it if needed.

What to do if you cannot access the router

If you do not know the router's admin password and cannot find it on a sticker, you have two options: reset the router to factory settings, or contact your internet service provider. Resetting erases all your WiFi settings, so you will need to set up your network name and password from scratch afterward. Most routers have a small reset button on the back that you hold down for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on.

If you rent your router from your internet service provider rather than owning it, contact them directly — they can often reset the admin access remotely or walk you through the process. If you own the router, check the manufacturer's website for your specific model's reset instructions, as the process varies. After a reset, the router will return to its default admin username and password, which you can find in the manual or on the manufacturer's support page.

Preventing password loss in the future

Once you have found or reset your WiFi password, write it down and store it somewhere safe — a notebook, a password manager, or even a note in your phone. This saves you from having to dig into the router again later. Many people keep a small card with their WiFi network name and password near the router itself, which is convenient for guests and for your own reference.

If you change your WiFi password in the future, update your written record at the same time. You can change the password through the router's admin panel in the same WiFi Settings section where you found it. After you change it, you will need to reconnect all your devices — they will forget the old password and ask you to enter the new one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my iPad not show the password in Settings?

Older versions of iPadOS do not display saved passwords in the Settings app, even if you set up the connection yourself. Newer versions (iPadOS 16 and later) may show the password field, but only if you created the network connection. If someone else connected your iPad to the network, you will not see the password regardless of your iPadOS version.

Can I see a WiFi password on my iPad if I am not connected to that network?

No. Your iPad only stores passwords for networks it has connected to before. If you are not currently connected and the network is not in your saved list, you cannot view its password through Settings. You would need to access the router's admin panel instead.

What is the difference between my WiFi password and my router's admin password?

Your WiFi password is what you type into your devices to connect to the internet. Your router's admin password is what you use to log into the router's control panel to change settings. They are completely separate. The admin password is usually printed on the router itself, while the WiFi password is something you set or that came with the router.

Will resetting my router erase my internet connection?

A factory reset will erase your WiFi network name, password, and all other settings you have configured. Your internet connection itself (the cable or fiber line from your service provider) will still work, but you will need to set up your WiFi network again from scratch. After reset, the router returns to its default settings and default admin login.

Can I change my WiFi password from my iPad?

Not directly through the iPad's Settings app. You must access the router's admin panel using a web browser on any device connected to the network. Once logged in, navigate to the WiFi or Wireless Settings section and change the password there. After you save the change, your iPad will disconnect and ask you to enter the new password to reconnect.