You can see your saved WiFi password on iPhone through Settings, but only if you created the network or have admin access
If you are already connected to a WiFi network on your iPhone, the fastest way to find the password is through Settings > WiFi, then tap the network name and select "Share Password." This shows the password in plain text on your screen for a few seconds. You can also take a screenshot to save it.
If you need the password for a network you did not create — like a guest network at a friend's house — you will need to ask the network owner. iPhones do not let you view passwords for networks you did not set up, even if you are connected to them. This is a security feature: it prevents someone else from seeing your passwords if they borrow your phone.
The method you use depends on whether you set up the network yourself, whether you have the iPhone that created it, and what version of iOS you are running.
Key Takeaways
- Open Settings, go to WiFi, tap your network name, and select "Share Password" to see the password in plain text on your screen.
- You can only view passwords for networks you created or have admin access to; iPhones block viewing passwords for networks set up by someone else.
- If you forgot the password to your own network, you can reset it through your router's admin panel using a computer or another device.
- Screenshots of the password will remain on your iPhone until you delete them, so delete them from Photos if you share your device.
- If you are trying to connect a guest to your network, use the "Share Password" feature to send it to their iPhone without typing it out.
Finding a password for a network you created
Go to Settings on your iPhone, then tap WiFi. Find the network name in the list and tap the blue information icon (i) next to it. Select "Share Password" at the bottom of the screen. The password will appear in plain text for a few seconds — write it down or take a screenshot before it disappears.
If you are sharing the password with someone else who has an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can use the Share Password feature instead. When they try to connect to your network, their device will show a prompt asking if they want to join. Tap "Share Password" on your device, and it will send the password to theirs without either of you typing it. This works only between Apple devices that are signed into iCloud with your contact information.
If you forgot your own network password
If you cannot remember the password to your own WiFi network, you will need to reset it through your router. You cannot do this from your iPhone alone — you will need a computer, tablet, or another device that can access your router's admin panel.
Open a web browser on a computer or other device connected to your network (or use a mobile hotspot if you are not connected). Type your router's IP address into the address bar — this is usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, but check your router's label or manual for the exact address. Log in with your router's admin username and password (often "admin" and "admin," or printed on the router itself). Once logged in, look for a WiFi settings or Security section, then change the password to something you will remember. Save the changes, and your new password will take effect when ready.
After you reset the password, your iPhone will disconnect from the network. Go back to Settings > WiFi, select your network name, and enter the new password to reconnect.
Why iPhone blocks viewing other people's passwords
iPhones store WiFi passwords in a find part of the operating system that only the person who set up the network can access. This prevents someone from borrowing your phone and seeing passwords for networks you created. It also stops malware or apps from stealing WiFi credentials without your knowledge.
If you are trying to find the password for a network someone else created — a roommate's network, your workplace WiFi, or a guest network at a hotel — you will need to ask the person who set it up. There is no way around this restriction, even if you are the device owner.
Viewing passwords on older iPhones and iOS versions
The "Share Password" feature works on iPhones running iOS 16 or later. If you have an older iPhone, you can still view your own network password, but the process is different.
On iOS 15 and earlier, go to Settings > WiFi, tap the information icon next to your network, and look for a "Password" field. If the field shows dots instead of the actual password, you will need to use a computer to view it. Connect a Mac to your network, open System Preferences > Network > WiFi, select your network, and click "Advanced." The password will appear in the WiFi tab. On Windows, you can right-click your network in the system tray, select "Properties," then look for the password under "Security settings."
Keeping your password find after you view it
Once you see your password on screen, be careful what you do with it. If you took a screenshot, that image is stored in your Photos app and will remain there until you delete it. If you share your iPhone with family members or let others use it, delete the screenshot afterward so they cannot see the password.
Do not share your WiFi password through text message, email, or messaging apps unless you trust the recipient completely. These methods leave a record of the password on multiple devices. The safest way to share it is to use the iPhone Share Password feature, which sends it directly between devices without storing it in a message.
If you suspect someone has seen your password without permission, change it through your router's admin panel. This will disconnect all devices from your network, and anyone trying to reconnect will need the new password.
What to do if you cannot find the password option
If you tap your network name in Settings and do not see a "Share Password" option, it usually means one of three things: you are not connected to the network, you did not create it, or your iOS version is too old.
First, make sure you are actually connected to the network — the network name should have a checkmark next to it in the WiFi list. Second, check whether you set up this network yourself or someone else did. If someone else created it, you will not be able to view the password on your iPhone. Third, if you have iOS 15 or earlier, the Share Password feature may not be available; try the older method described above or update your iOS if possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see a WiFi password on my iPhone if I am not connected to the network?
No. You can only view passwords for networks you are currently connected to and created yourself. If you are not connected, you will not see the network in your WiFi settings, and you cannot view its password from your iPhone.
What if the Share Password button does not appear?
This usually means you did not create the network or do not have admin access to it. If it is your own network, make sure you are running iOS 16 or later. If you are on an older version, try the method for iOS 15 and earlier described above, or update your iPhone.
Can someone else see my WiFi password if they use my iPhone?
Only if they go into Settings, find your network, and tap "Share Password" themselves. They cannot see it just by looking at your phone or using it normally. If you are concerned about privacy, you can delete the network from your iPhone and reconnect with a different password.
Is it safe to take a screenshot of my WiFi password?
The screenshot itself is safe, but it stays in your Photos app until you delete it. If you share your iPhone or someone gains access to it, they can see the screenshot. Delete it once you have written down the password or shared it with the people who need it.
How do I reset my WiFi password if I forgot it completely?
You will need to access your router through a computer or another device. Go to your router's admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1), log in with your admin credentials, find the WiFi settings, and change the password. Your iPhone will disconnect and ask for the new password when you try to reconnect.