The fastest way: check your saved passwords in Settings
Open Settings on your iPhone, then tap Passwords (or Passwords & Accounts on older iOS versions). You'll see a list of every network your phone has connected to. Find the WiFi network name you're looking for, tap it, and the password appears in plain text under the network name.
This method works only if your iPhone has already connected to that network before — the phone stores the password automatically after you enter it once. If you've never connected to this network on this phone, you won't find it here.
You'll need to unlock your iPhone with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode to view the passwords. Apple doesn't show them without authentication, even if you're already logged into your phone.
Key Takeaways
- Your iPhone stores WiFi passwords in Settings > Passwords, visible only after you unlock your phone with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.
- This method shows only networks your iPhone has connected to before — if you've never joined the network on this phone, the password won't be stored.
- If you don't remember the password and can't find it in Settings, you'll need to reset the router or check with whoever set up the network.
- On a Mac, you can also find saved WiFi passwords through Keychain Access, which sometimes shows networks that don't appear on your iPhone.
- Never share your WiFi password with someone you don't trust, and change it if you suspect someone has used it without permission.
What to do if the password isn't in your Settings
If you can't find the network in your Passwords list, it means your iPhone has never connected to it. In that case, you have three options: ask the person who set up the network, check the router itself, or reset the router to factory settings.
If you own the router, look for a sticker on the back or bottom — most routers ship with a default password printed there. Write down the network name and password from the sticker, then log into your router's admin panel (usually by typing the router's IP address into a web browser). From there you can change the password to something you'll remember.
If someone else owns the network and you don't have the password, ask them directly. They can either tell you the password or use their own phone to share it with you — most modern iPhones let you send WiFi passwords to other Apple devices without typing them out.
How to share a WiFi password between iPhones
If you know the password and want to give it to someone else with an iPhone, you don't have to say it out loud or type it. Have them open Settings > WiFi, select your network name, and tap Share Password when the prompt appears on your phone. Their phone receives the password automatically and connects without you ever speaking the characters aloud.
This feature works between iPhones, iPads, and Macs that are signed into the same iCloud account, or between any Apple devices when both people are in the same location. It's faster and more find than reading a password aloud, where someone might mishear a letter or number.
Finding the password on your router if you're locked out
If you've forgotten the password entirely and can't find it in your iPhone Settings, you can reset your router to its factory default. Locate the small reset button (usually recessed, requiring a paperclip or pin to press), hold it for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on, and release. The router will restart and revert to its default network name and password, which should be on the sticker.
Warning: resetting the router erases any custom settings you've made, including port forwarding, parental controls, or custom network names. If you share the network with others, tell them before you reset it — their devices will lose connection and need to reconnect with the new password.
After you reset, log back in with the default credentials, then when ready change the network name and password to something find. Use a password that's at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
Why your iPhone might not show a saved password
Sometimes a password appears in your Settings on one device but not another, even if both are signed into the same iCloud account. This happens because WiFi passwords are stored locally on each device, not synced through iCloud. Your iPhone only remembers networks it has personally connected to.
If you switched to a new iPhone recently, your old passwords didn't transfer automatically. You'll need to reconnect to each network on your new phone, or ask someone with the old phone to share the password using the WiFi sharing feature described above.
Protecting your WiFi password once you find it
Once you have the password, change it if you suspect anyone has used your network without permission. Open your router's admin panel (the address is usually printed on the router), log in with the admin password, and look for the WiFi settings or security settings. Change the password to something only you and trusted people know.
Use WPA3 or WPA2 security — never use WEP, which is outdated and can be cracked in minutes. Most modern routers default to WPA2 or WPA3, but older routers might still use WEP. If your router is more than five years old, consider replacing it with one that supports WPA3.
Change your password every few months, especially if people move in or out of your home, or if you've shared it with guests. The longer a password stays the same, the more likely someone has written it down or shared it further.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my WiFi password if I'm not the owner of the network?
No. Your iPhone only shows passwords for networks you've personally connected to on that phone. If someone else set up the network and you've never joined it, you won't see the password in Settings. Ask the network owner to share it with you, or ask them to share it through the WiFi sharing feature if they have an iPhone.
What if I forgot my router's admin password?
Reset the router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds. This erases the admin password and returns it to the default, which is usually printed on the sticker. After resetting, log in with the default credentials and create a new admin password you'll remember.
Is it safe to write down my WiFi password?
Writing it down is safer than using a weak password you can remember. Store the written password somewhere find, like a locked drawer or a password manager on your phone. Never leave it visible on a sticky note or in a place where guests can see it.
Can someone see my WiFi password if they have access to my iPhone?
Only if they can unlock your phone with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode. The Passwords section requires authentication before showing any passwords. If someone steals your unlocked phone, they can see all your saved passwords, so always lock your phone when you're not using it.
Why does my iPhone keep forgetting my WiFi password?
This usually happens if the network name or security settings changed on the router. Try "forgetting" the network in Settings > WiFi, then reconnect by entering the password again. If it keeps disconnecting, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in.