Where to find your saved WiFi password

Your iPhone stores WiFi passwords in the Keychain, Apple's built-in password vault. You can see the password for any network your phone has connected to before by opening Settings, going to WiFi, tapping the network name, and selecting "Show Password" — but only if you know your iPhone's unlock code or Face ID. The password appears in plain text for about three seconds.

This works for networks you have already joined. If you are trying to find the password for a network you have never connected to, or one you connected to years ago and forgot, your iPhone cannot retrieve it — you will need to get the password from whoever set up the network or from the router itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to Settings > WiFi, tap the network name, then tap "Show Password" to see any saved WiFi password on your iPhone.
  • You must unlock your iPhone with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode before the password will display.
  • This method only works for networks you have already connected to; it cannot retrieve passwords for networks you have never joined.
  • If you cannot remember which network is yours, look for the checkmark next to the network name in the WiFi list — that is the one your phone is currently using.
  • If you need the password for a network you set up yourself, check your router's label or log into your router's admin page instead.

Step-by-step: viewing a saved password

Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Tap "WiFi" near the top of the menu. You will see a list of all networks your phone has ever connected to, plus networks nearby that you have not joined yet.

Find the network you want the password for and tap the name. A small information screen will pop up. Look for the line that says "Password" — if you see it, tap "Show Password." Your iPhone will ask you to unlock it using Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode. Once you do, the password appears in plain text for a few seconds before it hides again.

Write down the password while it is visible, or take a screenshot. If you do not see a "Show Password" option, it means your phone does not have that network's password stored — usually because you have never successfully connected to it.

What to do if you cannot see the password option

If you tap a network name and there is no "Password" line at all, your iPhone has not saved that network's credentials. This happens when you have never connected to the network, or when you connected but the connection failed partway through. In either case, you will need to get the password from the network owner or from the router.

If you see the "Password" line but tapping it does nothing, your iPhone may not have permission to show it. Try unlocking your phone again and tapping "Show Password" once more. If it still does not work, restart your iPhone and try again.

Finding the password on your router instead

If you set up the WiFi network yourself and cannot remember the password, you can find it on the router. Look for a sticker on the back or bottom of the router — it usually has the network name (SSID) and password printed on it. The password is often labeled as "WiFi Password," "Network Key," or "Passphrase."

If the sticker is worn off or missing, you can log into your router's admin page from any device on the network. Open a web browser and go to 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 (the exact address depends on your router brand). You will be asked for a username and password — these are usually "admin" and "admin" or "admin" and the password on the router's label. Once logged in, look for a section called "WiFi," "Wireless," or "Security" to find your network password.

Sharing a password with someone else on your iPhone

If someone near you wants to join your WiFi network, you can share the password directly from your iPhone without typing it out. When they try to connect to your network on their iPhone, a prompt will appear on your phone asking if you want to share the password. Tap "Share Password" and your phone will send it to theirs automatically.

This only works if both phones are unlocked and near each other. If the other person is using an Android phone, a Mac, or a Windows computer, you will need to tell them the password manually or show them the "Show Password" screen on your phone.

Resetting a forgotten password

If you have forgotten your WiFi password and cannot find it on the router, you can reset it by logging into your router's admin page and changing the password to something new. After you change it, all devices currently connected to the network will lose connection and will need the new password to rejoin.

Once you have set a new password, go back to your iPhone's WiFi settings, tap the network name, and select "Forget This Network." Then tap the network name again, enter your new password, and tap "Join." Your iPhone will now save the new password in its Keychain.

Why your iPhone stores passwords this way

Apple stores WiFi passwords in the Keychain so you do not have to type them in every time you connect to a network. The Keychain is encrypted, which means the passwords are scrambled and unreadable without your unlock code or biometric data. This protects your passwords if someone else picks up your phone.

The downside is that you cannot see a password without unlocking your phone, and you cannot retrieve a password for a network you have never connected to. This is intentional — it prevents someone from using your phone to find passwords for networks they do not have permission to access.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. You must unlock your iPhone with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode before the password will display. This is a security feature to prevent someone else from viewing your passwords if they have access to your phone.

What if I forgot my iPhone passcode and cannot unlock it?

You cannot view the WiFi password without unlocking your iPhone. You will need to reset your iPhone using a computer with iTunes or Finder, or use iCloud's Find My iPhone feature. After you reset it, you can set a new passcode. You can then view your WiFi passwords normally.

Can I see passwords for networks I used to connect to but deleted?

If you tapped "Forget This Network," your iPhone deleted the password. You cannot retrieve it from your phone. You will need to get the password from the network owner or from the router itself.

Does showing the password on my iPhone let other people see it?

Only if they are looking at your screen while the password is displayed. The password only shows for a few seconds, and only you can see it. Once it hides, no one else can view it without unlocking your phone again.

Can I view WiFi passwords on an iPad or Mac the same way?

Yes. iPads use the same method: Settings > WiFi, tap the network, then "Show Password." On a Mac, go to System Settings > WiFi, click "Details" next to the network name, then look for the password field. You may need to unlock your Mac or enter your Apple ID password.