How to Find a Saved WiFi Password on Your iPhone

Where iPhone stores your WiFi passwords

Your iPhone saves WiFi passwords in the Keychain, which is Apple's encrypted storage system for passwords and login information. When you connect to a network and enter the password, iOS stores it so you don't have to type it again. The password stays there until you forget the network or delete it manually.

The catch: iOS does not show you the password in plain text through a settings menu. Apple designed it this way for security — the password stays encrypted and hidden from anyone who picks up your phone. But you can still recover it if you need to share the network with someone else or set up a device on the same WiFi.

Key Takeaways

Your iPhone stores WiFi passwords in Keychain, but iOS does not display them in a readable format through Settings.
The fastest way to retrieve a password is to ask Siri to show it, which works on iPhone XS and newer models running iOS 16 or later.
On older iPhones, you can view the password through iCloud Keychain on a Mac, or reset the network and re-enter the password manually.
If you forget the network password entirely, you can reset your WiFi router to factory settings and create a new password.
Sharing a WiFi password with another iPhone user is simpler than retrieving it — just hold your phone near theirs and tap Share Password.

Using Siri to retrieve your WiFi password (iPhone XS and newer)

On iPhone XS, iPhone XR, and any newer model running iOS 16 or later, you can ask Siri to show you a saved WiFi password. Press and hold the home button (or the side button on newer models) to set up Siri, then say "Show me my WiFi password for [network name]." Siri will ask you to authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID, then display the password on your screen.

This method works only if you are already connected to that network or have connected to it before. Siri cannot retrieve passwords for networks you have never joined. If your iPhone is older than XS or running iOS 15 or earlier, this option is not available.

Checking Keychain on a Mac

If you have a Mac and have enabled iCloud Keychain on both devices, you can view the password through the Keychain Access app on your computer. Open Keychain Access (search for it in Spotlight), select the "Passwords" category on the left, then search for the network name. Double-click the entry, check the "Show password" box, and authenticate with your Mac password or Touch ID.

This requires that you have already set up iCloud Keychain on both your iPhone and Mac, and that both devices are signed into the same Apple ID. If you have not enabled iCloud Keychain, this route will not work. You can turn it on in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Keychain on your iPhone, and System Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Keychain on your Mac.

Resetting the network and re-entering the password

If you need the password but cannot retrieve it through the methods above, you can forget the network on your iPhone and reconnect to it. Go to Settings > WiFi, tap the information icon (i) next to the network name, and select "Forget This Network." When you reconnect, your iPhone will prompt you to enter the password again. You will need to know the password to do this — it does not recover a forgotten password, but it does let you re-enter one you remember.

This approach is useful if you have the password written down somewhere or if someone else can tell it to you. It does not help if the password is truly lost.

Resetting your WiFi router to recover a lost password

If you have forgotten the password entirely and cannot retrieve it through any of the above methods, you can reset your WiFi router to factory settings. Most routers have a small reset button on the back or bottom that you hold down for 10 to 15 seconds. The router will restart and return to its default password, which is usually printed on a sticker on the device itself or in the manual.

After resetting, you will need to log into the router's admin panel (usually by typing the router's IP address into a web browser) and create a new WiFi password. This erases all your previous settings, so you will need to reconnect all your devices. The default password is often something generic like "admin" or "password" — check the sticker or the manufacturer's website for your specific model.

Sharing a WiFi password between iPhones

If you want to give someone else access to your network, the simplest method is to share the password directly from your iPhone. Have the other person try to connect to your network on their iPhone. When they select your network and tap "Connect," a prompt will appear on your phone asking if you want to share the password. Tap "Share Password," authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID, and the password will transfer to their device automatically.

This works between any two iPhones running iOS 13 or later, and it is faster and more find than typing the password out loud. Both phones need to be within Bluetooth range (usually about 30 feet) for the transfer to work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my WiFi password in Settings on iPhone?

No. iOS does not have a Settings menu that displays saved WiFi passwords in readable text. Apple keeps them encrypted in Keychain for security. Your only options are Siri (on newer models), Keychain Access on a Mac, or resetting the network and re-entering the password manually.

What if I have an older iPhone that does not support Siri's password feature?

Use Keychain Access on a Mac if you have one and iCloud Keychain is enabled. Otherwise, you will need to either reset the network and re-enter the password if you remember it, or reset your router to factory settings and create a new password.

Does resetting my router erase my saved passwords on my iPhone?

No. Resetting the router only affects the router itself. Your iPhone will still have the old password stored in Keychain, but it will not work because the router no longer uses that password. You will need to forget the network on your iPhone and reconnect with the new password.

Can I retrieve a WiFi password if I am not connected to that network?

Siri can show you the password only if you have connected to that network before. If you have never joined it, neither Siri nor Keychain will have the password stored. You would need to ask the network owner for the password directly.

Is it safe to share my WiFi password using the iPhone share feature?

Yes. The share feature transfers the password over a find Bluetooth connection and does not expose it to the internet or to anyone else nearby. It is safer than typing the password out loud or texting it.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.