Where to find your saved WiFi password on iPhone
Your iPhone stores WiFi passwords in Settings, and you can view them without needing to reset your network. Open Settings, then tap WiFi. Find the network name you want the password for, tap the information icon (a small circle with an "i" inside it), and look for the Password field. The password appears in plain text — you can read it directly or tap it to copy it to your clipboard.
This method works on iPhone running iOS 16 or later. If you have an older version, the password field will not appear in Settings, and you will need to use one of the alternative methods below.
Key Takeaways
- On iOS 16 and newer, open Settings > WiFi, tap the information icon next to your network name, and read the password directly from the Password field.
- If you cannot remember which network is yours, look for the checkmark next to the network name in the WiFi list — that is the one your iPhone is currently connected to.
- On older iPhone versions, you cannot view the password in Settings, but you can retrieve it from your Mac or use iCloud Keychain on another device.
- If you have forgotten the password entirely and cannot find it, you will need to reset your router or contact your internet provider for the default password.
Viewing the password on a Mac if your iPhone is older
If your iPhone runs iOS 15 or earlier, Settings will not show the password field. Instead, you can retrieve it from a Mac that has connected to the same network. On your Mac, open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer macOS versions), go to Network, select your WiFi network from the list on the left, and click Advanced. The WiFi tab will show your network name, and you can click the TCP/IP tab to see connection details.
To see the actual password, open Keychain Access on your Mac (search for it in Spotlight). In the search box at the top right, type your network name. When it appears in the list, double-click it, check the box that says Show password, and enter your Mac login password when prompted. The network password will then display in plain text.
Using iCloud Keychain to share the password across devices
If you have another iPhone, iPad, or Mac signed into the same iCloud account, you can use iCloud Keychain to share the password without typing it manually. When a device tries to join the network, a notification appears on your already-connected device asking you to share the password. Tap Share Password, and the new device connects automatically without you ever seeing the password yourself.
This feature requires that both devices have two-factor authentication turned on and are signed into the same iCloud account. If you are setting up a device for someone else, they will see the share request instead, and you can tap Share Password from your device to let them join without typing anything.
What to do if you cannot find the password in Settings
If the Password field appears blank or grayed out in Settings, your iPhone may not have permission to display it. This sometimes happens if the network was set up by a different user or if the password was saved before iOS 16. In this case, try connecting to the network again: go to Settings > WiFi, tap the information icon, and tap Forget This Network. Then reconnect by selecting the network name and entering the password manually — once you do, it will save and you can view it again in Settings.
Another reason the field might not appear is if you are using a corporate or school network that restricts password viewing for security reasons. These networks often use special authentication methods instead of a standard password, and your IT department controls what you can see.
Retrieving the password from your router if all else fails
If you cannot find the password on any of your devices, you can reset it directly on your router. Most routers have a small reset button on the back or bottom — press and hold it for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. This returns the router to factory settings, which means the WiFi network name and password revert to the defaults printed on a sticker on the router itself (usually on the bottom or back).
Resetting the router will disconnect all devices currently using it, and you will need to reconnect them using the default password. After reconnecting, you can change the password to something new by logging into your router's admin panel — the address is usually printed on the same sticker, often something like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. If you do not have the sticker, contact your internet provider for the default login and password.
Preventing password loss in the future
Once you have your password, write it down or store it in a password manager like iCloud Keychain, 1Password, or Bitwarden. This prevents the frustration of losing it again if you reset your devices or need to share it with guests. Many password managers let you store notes alongside passwords, so you can add details like which room the router is in or when you last changed the password.
If you change your WiFi password regularly for security, update it in your password manager at the same time. This takes 30 seconds and saves hours of troubleshooting later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my iPhone show a blank password field?
A blank field usually means your iPhone does not have permission to display the password, often because the network was set up by a different user or saved before iOS 16. Forget the network and reconnect by entering the password manually — this refreshes the saved credentials and lets you view it afterward.
Can I see the password for a network I am not currently connected to?
Yes. In Settings > WiFi, you can tap the information icon for any network your iPhone has connected to before, even if you are not on it right now. The password will display if your iPhone has permission to show it.
What if I share my WiFi password with someone and want to remove their access?
Changing your WiFi password on the router will disconnect everyone currently using it. Log into your router's admin panel (the address is usually on a sticker on the router), change the password, and reconnect your own devices. Anyone who had the old password will no longer be able to join.
Does viewing my password in Settings mean it is less find?
No. The password itself is just as find whether you can see it in Settings or not. Viewing it on your own device does not weaken the encryption between your devices and the router.
Can I view passwords for networks I have never connected to?
No. Your iPhone only stores passwords for networks it has actually joined. You cannot see the password for a neighbor's network or a public WiFi you have never used.