Check Settings if you're reconnecting to a network you've used before
If your iPhone has connected to a WiFi network before, you cannot see the password directly in Settings. Apple does not display saved passwords in the WiFi menu — it only shows you the networks your phone remembers. However, you can retrieve the password through Keychain, which is where your iPhone stores login information.
The fastest way is to use another Apple device that has also connected to that network. On a Mac, go to Applications > Utilities > Keychain Access, search for the network name, double-click it, check "Show password", and enter your Mac login. On an iPad or another iPhone with the same iCloud account, go to Settings > Passwords, search for the network name, and the password appears in plain text.
If you do not have another Apple device, you will need to reset the network or contact whoever set it up, because iOS does not provide a way to view the password from the iPhone alone.
Key Takeaways
- Your iPhone stores WiFi passwords in Keychain but does not show them in the Settings app.
- The easiest method is to check Keychain on a Mac, or use the Passwords app on another iPhone or iPad signed into the same iCloud account.
- If you need the password for a device that is not Apple, you will have to reset the network from the router or ask the network owner.
- Resetting a network on your iPhone removes it from your saved list, and you will need the password to reconnect.
Use Keychain Access on a Mac to see the actual password
On a Mac running macOS, open Applications, then Utilities, then Keychain Access. In the search box at the top right, type the name of the WiFi network. When the network appears in the list, double-click it to open the details window.
At the bottom of the window, check the box next to "Show password". Your Mac will ask you to enter your Mac login password. Once you do, the WiFi password appears in plain text in that same box. You can now copy it and use it on any device.
This method works only if your Mac has connected to that network before and is signed into the same iCloud account as your iPhone.
Check the Passwords app on another iPhone or iPad
If you have a second iPhone or iPad signed into the same iCloud account, that device can show you the password. Go to Settings > Passwords (or Passwords & Accounts on older versions), tap the search icon, and type the network name. When it appears, tap it and the password shows in the WiFi Password field.
This works because both devices share the same Keychain through iCloud. The second device must have connected to that network at some point, and both must be signed into the same Apple ID.
Reset the network if you cannot remember the password
If you need to reconnect to a network but have forgotten the password and do not have access to another Apple device, you can remove it from your iPhone and reconnect. Go to Settings > WiFi, find the network name, tap the info icon (the small circle with an "i"), and tap "Forget This Network". Your iPhone will disconnect and remove it from your saved list.
When you reconnect, your iPhone will ask you to enter the password. You will need to get the password from the router itself or from whoever manages the network. On most routers, the default password is printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the device.
Find the password on the router if you own the network
If this is your own WiFi network, the password is usually on a sticker attached to the router. Look on the back, bottom, or side of the device. The label typically shows the network name (SSID) and the password next to it.
If the sticker is missing or unreadable, you can log into the router itself through a web browser on any device. Open a browser, type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar, and log in with the router's admin username and password (often "admin" and "admin" or "admin" and the password on the sticker). Once logged in, look for a WiFi or Wireless section to find the password. The exact steps vary by router brand.
Ask the network owner for the password
If this is a network you do not own — at work, school, a friend's house, or a business — ask whoever manages it for the password. They can tell you the password directly or reset it and give you a new one.
For public networks like coffee shops or libraries, the password is usually posted on a sign or receipt, or you can ask an employee.
Understand why iPhone does not show saved passwords
Apple hides saved WiFi passwords as a security measure. If someone gains access to your iPhone, they cannot easily see the passwords to networks you have used. The password is encrypted in Keychain and only becomes visible when you unlock it with your Mac login or view it on another device signed into your iCloud account.
This design means you need either physical access to another Apple device or the ability to reset the network, but it also means your passwords are harder to steal if your iPhone is lost or stolen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see a WiFi password on my iPhone without another Apple device?
No. iOS does not provide a way to view saved passwords directly on the iPhone. You need either a Mac with Keychain Access, another iPhone or iPad on the same iCloud account, or access to the router itself.
What if I forgot the password and do not have another Apple device?
Reset the network on your iPhone by going to Settings > WiFi, tapping the info icon next to the network, and selecting "Forget This Network". Then reconnect and enter the password. You will need to get the password from the router (check the sticker on the back) or ask the network owner.
Will resetting a network delete anything else on my iPhone?
No. Forgetting a network only removes it from your saved WiFi list. It does not delete any photos, messages, or other data. You can reconnect to the network anytime by entering the password again.
Can I see the password if I am not signed into the same iCloud account on my other device?
No. The second device must be signed into the same Apple ID as your iPhone to access the shared Keychain. If it is signed into a different account, it will not have access to your saved passwords.
Is there an app that can show me my WiFi password?
No third-party app can display a saved WiFi password on iPhone. Apple restricts access to Keychain data, so only the built-in Passwords app and Keychain Access on Mac can retrieve them.