You can see a WiFi password on iPhone through Settings, but only for networks you've already connected to

If you're connected to a WiFi network and need the password — to give it to a guest, or to reconnect a device — your iPhone stores it in the Keychain, Apple's built-in password manager. You can view it by going to Settings > WiFi, tapping the network name, and selecting "Show Password". You'll need to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode.

This works only for networks your iPhone has already joined. You cannot see the password for a network you've never connected to, and you cannot see passwords for networks other people's iPhones are using unless you have physical access to their device and their biometric or passcode.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, tap WiFi, find the network name, tap the information icon next to it, and select "Show Password" — your iPhone will ask you to verify with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.
  • This method only works for networks you have already connected to; the password must be stored in your iPhone's Keychain.
  • If you forget the password to your own router, you'll need to reset the router itself or contact your internet service provider, not your iPhone.
  • Sharing a WiFi password with another iPhone user is faster through AirDrop or by letting them join the network directly from your device's hotspot settings.

Step-by-step: viewing a saved WiFi password

Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Tap WiFi near the top of the screen. You'll see a list of networks your iPhone knows about — both the one you're currently connected to (marked with a checkmark) and others you've joined before.

Find the network whose password you want to see. Tap the small information icon (a circle with an "i" inside) to the right of the network name. A details screen will open. Look for the "Password" field. Tap "Show Password". Your iPhone will prompt you to authenticate — use Face ID, Touch ID, or type your device passcode. Once verified, the password appears in plain text.

Write down the password or copy it before you leave this screen. The password field will hide again once you navigate away.

Why your iPhone stores passwords this way

Apple's Keychain is designed to remember passwords so you don't have to type them every time you reconnect to a network. When you first join a WiFi network, your iPhone asks for the password once, then encrypts and stores it locally on your device. This is why you can only view passwords for networks you've personally connected to — the password never leaves your phone unless you explicitly share it.

The authentication step (Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode) is a security layer. It prevents someone who picks up your unlocked iPhone from when ready seeing all your passwords. Even if your device is unlocked, viewing a password requires a second verification.

What to do if you've forgotten your router's password

If you need the password to your own home or office WiFi network, but you've never written it down and your iPhone doesn't have it saved, you'll need to access your router directly. This is different from viewing a password on your iPhone.

Log into your router's admin panel by opening a web browser and typing your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 — check the router's label). You'll need the router's admin username and password, which are often printed on the device itself or in the documentation that came with it. Once logged in, look for a WiFi settings or wireless security section, where the network password is displayed.

If you don't have the admin credentials, contact your internet service provider. They can help you reset the router or recover the password. Resetting the router will erase all your custom settings and return it to factory defaults, so this is a last resort.

Sharing a WiFi password with guests safely

If you want to give someone else access to your network, you have several options that don't require you to share the actual password. On an iPhone or iPad, the easiest method is to ask the guest to open Settings > WiFi, select your network, and tap "Connect". A prompt will appear on your device asking if you want to share the password. Tap "Share Password", authenticate, and their device joins the network without ever displaying the password to them.

If the guest has an Android phone or older device, you'll need to tell them the password verbally or write it down. You can also generate a QR code of your WiFi network using a third-party app, which they can scan to join without typing the password manually.

For temporary guests, consider setting up a separate guest network on your router with its own password. This keeps your main network password private and lets you change the guest password without affecting your own devices.

When your iPhone won't show a password

If you tap "Show Password" and nothing appears, or the field is grayed out, a few things might be happening. First, check that you're looking at a network your iPhone has actually connected to before — the password field only appears for saved networks. Second, make sure you're authenticated; if Face ID or Touch ID fails, try entering your passcode instead. Third, some enterprise or corporate networks use certificate-based authentication rather than a straightforward password, so there may be no password field to display.

If you're trying to view a password for a network someone else set up on a shared device, you won't be able to see it unless you have that person's biometric data or passcode. Each person's authentication is separate, even on a shared iPhone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see WiFi passwords on my iPhone if it's locked?

No. Your iPhone must be unlocked, and you must authenticate again when you tap "Show Password". This two-step process prevents someone who briefly has your phone from accessing your passwords.

What if I see a WiFi network but can't remember if I've ever connected to it?

Try tapping the information icon next to it. If a "Password" field appears, you've connected before and the password is saved. If there's no password field, you haven't joined that network yet, and you'll need the password from whoever set it up.

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

Yes, as long as your iPhone has connected to them before. You don't need to be actively using the network — just go to Settings > WiFi, find it in the list, tap the info icon, and show the password.

Is it safe to write down my WiFi password after I see it?

Yes. Writing it down in a physical notebook or a password manager is safer than relying only on your iPhone's memory, especially if you ever need to reset your device or switch to a new phone.

Why does my iPhone ask for Face ID again when I tap "Show Password"?

This is a security feature. Even though your phone is unlocked, viewing a password requires a second verification to prevent unauthorized access if someone gains temporary physical access to your device.