Where to find your saved WiFi password on iPhone

Your iPhone stores WiFi passwords in the Keychain, Apple's built-in password manager. You can see the password for any network your phone has connected to before by going to Settings > WiFi, tapping the network name, then selecting "Show Password." Your Face ID or Touch ID will confirm it's you, and the password appears on screen.

This works for any network you've previously joined on that iPhone. If you've never connected to a network on this phone, it won't appear in your WiFi list, and you'll need to get the password another way — from the router itself, the person who set it up, or your internet provider.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, tap WiFi, select your network name, then tap "Show Password" to reveal the password your iPhone has saved.
  • You must use Face ID or Touch ID to confirm your identity before the password displays.
  • This method only works for networks your iPhone has already connected to in the past.
  • If you need the password for a network you've never joined on this phone, check the router's label, ask the network owner, or contact your internet provider.
  • On older iPhones running iOS 15 or earlier, the password appears in a different location within the WiFi settings menu.

Step-by-step: viewing a saved password

Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Scroll down and tap WiFi. You'll see a list of networks your phone knows about — both ones you're currently connected to and ones you've joined before.

Find the network whose password you want to see and tap the information icon (a small circle with an "i" inside it) next to the network name. A menu appears. Tap "Show Password." Your iPhone will ask you to authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode. Complete whichever method your phone uses.

The password now displays on screen in the "Password" field. You can tap and hold to copy it, or read it directly. The password stays visible until you close the menu or lock your phone.

What to do if you don't see the network in your WiFi list

If the network you're looking for doesn't appear in your WiFi settings, your iPhone has never connected to it. This is common if you're trying to find the password for a guest network, a network set up by someone else, or a network from before you owned this phone.

In this case, you'll need to find the password from the source. Check the router itself — most routers have a sticker on the back or bottom with the default network name and password printed on it. If the network has been renamed or the password changed, ask whoever manages the router. If it's your home internet, contact your internet service provider; they can reset the password or provide the original one.

Finding the password on the router itself

Every router has a physical label, usually on the back or underside. This label shows the default WiFi network name (called the SSID) and the default password. If no one has changed these since the router was installed, this password will work.

Many people do change the default password for security reasons, so the label password may not be current. If you try it and it doesn't work, the network owner has changed it. You'll need to ask them for the new password, or reset the router to factory settings — a step that erases all custom settings and returns it to the defaults on the label.

Resetting your router to find the default password

If you own the router and have forgotten the password, you can reset it to factory defaults. Most routers have a small reset button (often recessed, requiring a paperclip or pin to press). Hold this button for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The router will restart and return to its default settings, including the default password printed on the label.

Warning: resetting the router erases any custom settings, including any password changes you made. Everyone on the network will be disconnected. After the reset, you can reconnect using the default password from the label, then change it to something new in the router's admin panel if you wish.

If you're renting and the router belongs to your landlord or internet provider, do not reset it without permission. Contact them instead.

Using iCloud Keychain to access passwords on other devices

If you have multiple Apple devices signed into the same iCloud account, you can sometimes view WiFi passwords across devices. On a Mac, open System Settings > General > About, then click "System Report." Navigate to WiFi and look for the network. On some older Macs, you can also open Keychain Access and search for the network name to see the password.

This method is less reliable than checking the iPhone directly, and it requires that the other device has also connected to the network before. If you're trying to find a password you've never saved on any Apple device, this won't help.

What to do if you can't authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID

If your iPhone asks for Face ID or Touch ID but you can't complete either, you can use your passcode instead. When the authentication prompt appears, look for a "Passcode" option or straightforward enter your iPhone passcode when prompted. This unlocks the password display the same way biometric authentication does.

If you've forgotten your passcode, you cannot view the saved password on this phone. You'll need to get the password from the router or network owner instead. Resetting your iPhone will erase all saved passwords, so that's not a practical solution just to see one password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see a WiFi password if I'm not connected to the network?

Yes. As long as your iPhone has connected to that network at any point in the past, you can view the saved password from the WiFi settings menu, even if you're not currently connected. You don't need to be on the network to see the password.

Will viewing my WiFi password change it or affect the network?

No. Viewing a saved password does nothing to the network or the password itself. It's a read-only action. The password remains the same, and no one else is notified that you looked at it.

What if the password field is blank or shows asterisks?

If you see asterisks instead of the actual password, your authentication didn't complete properly. Try again and make sure you fully complete the Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode prompt. If it still doesn't work, try restarting your iPhone and attempting again.

Can I view passwords for networks I've connected to on other phones?

No. Each device stores its own passwords separately. An iPhone only shows passwords for networks it has personally connected to. If you need a password for a network you've only used on an Android phone or a different iPhone, you'll need to get it from the router or network owner.

Is it safe to share my WiFi password with someone else?

Sharing a password lets someone connect to your network, which means they can see other devices on it and potentially access shared files. Only share your WiFi password with people you trust. If you want to give temporary access to a guest, consider creating a separate guest network with its own password instead.