Where to find your saved WiFi password on iPhone

Your iPhone stores WiFi passwords in the Keychain, Apple's built-in password storage system. You can view a password you've already connected to by going into Settings, but the process differs depending on whether you're running iOS 16 or later, or an older version. The fastest route is Settings > WiFi, then tapping the network name and selecting "Show Password" — though this only works if you set up the connection on this iPhone.

If you're trying to find a password for a network you set up on a different device, or if you need the password for another reason, you'll need to access it through your Mac, use iCloud Keychain on another Apple device, or reset the router itself. iPhone doesn't give you a way to view passwords for networks you didn't personally connect to on that phone.

Key Takeaways

  • On iOS 16 and later, open Settings, tap WiFi, select the network name, and choose "Show Password" to see what you're connected to.
  • On iOS 15 and earlier, you can view passwords through Settings > WiFi only if you originally set up that connection on this iPhone.
  • To see a password for a network you set up on a Mac or iPad, use a Mac with the same iCloud account and check Keychain Access.
  • If you've forgotten the password and can't retrieve it, you'll need to reset your router to factory settings or contact your internet provider.
  • Passwords stored in Keychain sync across your Apple devices only if you have iCloud Keychain turned on in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud.

Steps for iOS 16 and later

Open the Settings app and tap WiFi. You'll see a list of networks — find the one you're connected to (it will have a checkmark next to it). Tap the network name or the information icon (the small circle with an "i" inside it) next to it.

A details screen will appear. Look for the Password field. Tap "Show Password" and authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID, or your iPhone passcode. The password will then display in plain text. You can now copy it or write it down.

This method only works for networks you personally connected to on this specific iPhone. If someone else set up the WiFi on this phone using their account, you won't see the password field — you'll need to ask them to show you instead.

Steps for iOS 15 and earlier

Open Settings and go to WiFi. Tap the information icon (the small "i" in a circle) next to the network you're connected to. On the next screen, look for the Password field. Tap it and use Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode to reveal the password.

The same limitation applies: you can only view passwords for networks you set up on this iPhone. If the network was added by someone else, the password field won't appear.

Finding passwords through a Mac or iPad

If you set up the WiFi connection on a Mac instead of your iPhone, you can retrieve the password from that Mac. Open Keychain Access (search for it in Spotlight on your Mac), then search for the network name in the search box. Double-click the network entry, check the box next to "Show password," and authenticate with your Mac password.

On an iPad, the process is the same as iPhone: Settings > WiFi, tap the network name, and select "Show Password." This works only if you set up that connection on the iPad itself. If you have iCloud Keychain enabled across your devices, passwords you save on one device may appear on others, but this sync is not may provide for all networks.

Make sure you're signed into the same iCloud account on all devices. Check by opening Settings, tapping your name at the top, and confirming you're logged in. Then go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and verify that Keychain is toggled on.

What to do if you can't find the password

If the password field doesn't appear or you can't retrieve it through any of these methods, the password may have been saved under a different iCloud account, or it may not be stored on your current device. Your next step is to reset the router itself.

Locate the small reset button on the back or bottom of your router (usually recessed so you need a paperclip or pin to press it). Hold it down for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The router will restart and return to factory settings. You'll then need to set up the WiFi connection again using the default network name and password printed on a sticker on the router itself, or check your internet provider's documentation.

After the router restarts, you can create a new WiFi password through your router's admin panel (usually accessed by typing the router's IP address into a web browser). Your internet provider can walk you through this if you're unsure.

Why your password might not show up

The most common reason the password field is blank or missing is that you didn't set up the connection on this iPhone. If someone else connected to the network using their account, or if the phone was set up as a hand-me-down, you won't have access to those stored passwords.

Another reason is that iCloud Keychain is turned off. If you recently changed your iCloud password or disabled Keychain in Settings, your stored passwords may not be accessible. Turn Keychain back on by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and toggling Keychain to on. You may need to authenticate with your iCloud password.

Some older networks or networks set up before you enabled Keychain may also not be stored. In that case, only the person who originally set up the connection can retrieve the password.

Sharing your WiFi password with others

If someone else needs to connect to your WiFi, you don't have to tell them the password. On iOS 16 and later, you can share it directly from your phone. When they try to connect to your network, a prompt will appear on your iPhone asking if you want to share the password. Tap "Share Password" and authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID. Their phone will receive the password automatically without you ever saying it out loud.

This feature only works between Apple devices and only if both people are nearby. If you need to share the password with an Android phone or someone who isn't present, you'll need to tell them the password directly or show them the Settings screen where it's displayed.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. iPhone only shows passwords for networks you've personally connected to on that device. If you want to see a password for a network you set up on a different device, you'll need to access Keychain on that device instead. For networks you've never connected to, you'll need to contact whoever set up the WiFi or reset the router.

Will my WiFi password sync to a new iPhone?

Yes, if you have iCloud Keychain enabled and you sign into the same iCloud account on your new iPhone. During setup, choose to restore from iCloud backup or sign in to iCloud after setup, and your saved passwords will transfer over. This can take a few minutes to sync, so wait a moment before checking if the password appears.

What if I see the password field but it's blank or says "unknown"?

This usually means the network was added to your iPhone before you enabled iCloud Keychain, or it was added by someone else. Try toggling Keychain off and back on in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud. If that doesn't work, you'll need to forget the network (tap the info icon and select "Forget This Network") and reconnect to it, which will save the password under your current account.

Can I view my WiFi password on iPhone if I forgot it?

Only if you've previously connected to that network on this iPhone and the password is stored in Keychain. If you've never connected to it on this phone, or if you're trying to find a password you've completely forgotten, you'll need to reset your router to access the default password, then create a new one through the router's settings.