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 router or call your internet provider. The password appears in plain text once you open the right menu — it takes about 30 seconds.
Go to Settings > WiFi, then tap the network name you want the password for. A details screen opens. Tap Password and your iPhone will show the saved password in full. You can then copy it or write it down to share with someone else.
This method works only for networks your iPhone has already connected to before. If you have never joined that network, the password field will not appear — you would need to get the password from the router owner or the person who set up the network.
Key Takeaways
- Your iPhone stores WiFi passwords in Settings under WiFi, and you can view any password for a network you have previously connected to.
- The password appears in plain text after you tap the network name and then tap the Password field.
- You can only see passwords for networks your iPhone has already joined — you cannot retrieve a password for a network you have never used.
- If you cannot remember which network is yours, check the router itself, which usually has a sticker with the network name and password printed on it.
- Resetting your router to factory settings will erase the password, so avoid that step unless you are prepared to set up the network again from scratch.
How to find the password if you do not remember the network name
If you know you have a WiFi network but cannot remember its name, check your iPhone's list of saved networks first. Go to Settings > WiFi and look at the networks shown under "Known Networks" — these are all the networks your phone has connected to before.
If the network is not listed there, the easiest place to look is the router itself. Most routers have a sticker on the bottom or back that prints the network name (called the SSID) and the password. The sticker usually says something like "WiFi Name" and "WiFi Password" or "Network Key." Write down both pieces of information from the sticker.
If the sticker has worn off or is missing, you can log into the router's admin panel through a web browser on any device connected to that network. The router's address is usually printed on the device itself — often something like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. You will need the router's admin username and password, which may be the default (often "admin" and "admin" or "admin" and "password") unless someone changed it during setup.
What to do if you cannot see the password field
If you tap a network name in Settings and the Password field does not appear, it usually means one of two things: either your iPhone has never actually connected to that network, or the network uses a special security setup that your phone cannot display in plain text.
Enterprise networks — the kind used by offices and schools — often hide the password field because they use certificates or usernames instead of a straightforward shared password. In that case, contact the network administrator or IT department for the login details.
If it is your own home network and you still cannot see the password, try forgetting the network and reconnecting. Go to Settings > WiFi, tap the network name, and select Forget This Network. Then reconnect by selecting the network again and entering the password manually. After you do this, the password should appear in the details screen the next time you check.
How to share a WiFi password with someone else
Once you have the password visible on your screen, you can share it in several ways. The simplest is to read it aloud or text it to the person who needs it. You can also copy the password by pressing and holding on the password text, then tapping Copy.
If the other person has an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can use AirDrop to send the password directly. Make sure both devices have Bluetooth and WiFi turned on, then go to Settings > General > AirDrop and set it to Everyone or Contacts Only. Then open the WiFi settings, tap the network, and look for an AirDrop option to send the password.
For Android users or people not on your contact list, the fastest method is usually to read the password aloud while they type it in, or to text it through a messaging app. Avoid posting your WiFi password in group chats or on social media, since anyone who sees it can connect to your network.
How to change your WiFi password if you want a new one
Changing your WiFi password requires logging into your router's admin panel, not your iPhone. Open a web browser on any device connected to your network and go to the router's address — usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. You may see a login screen asking for a username and password.
If you have never changed the router's admin password, try the defaults: username "admin" and password "admin," or username "admin" and password "password." If neither works, check the router's manual or the manufacturer's website for the default credentials. Once you log in, look for a section called WiFi Settings, Wireless, or Network.
In that section, find the field labeled WiFi Password, Pre-Shared Key, or Network Key. Type your new password — most routers require at least 8 characters and work best with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Save the changes, and the router will restart. Your iPhone will lose connection briefly, then you can reconnect using the new password.
Why your iPhone might not save a password even after you enter it
Sometimes you enter a WiFi password on your iPhone, it seems to connect, but then the password does not appear in Settings later. This usually happens when the connection drops before the password is fully saved, or when the network itself is unstable.
To fix this, go to Settings > WiFi, tap the network name, and select Forget This Network. Wait a few seconds, then tap the network again and re-enter the password slowly and carefully. Make sure you are typing it exactly as it appears — passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters matter.
If the network keeps dropping or refusing to save, the problem may be with the router, not your iPhone. Try moving closer to the router, or restart the router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. If the problem continues, contact your internet provider to check whether the router itself needs repair or replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see a WiFi password on my iPhone if I am not connected to that network?
No. Your iPhone only stores and displays passwords for networks it has previously connected to. If you have never joined a network before, the password field will not appear in Settings, even if the network is currently broadcasting nearby.
What if I forgot my router's admin password and cannot log in to change the WiFi password?
You can reset the router to its factory settings by holding down the reset button (usually a small hole on the back) for 10 to 15 seconds. This erases all settings, including the WiFi password, and returns the router to its defaults. You will then need to set up the network again from scratch using the router's setup app or web interface.
Is it safe to share my WiFi password with guests?
Yes, sharing your password with guests is safe as long as you trust them. If you want to change it later, you can do so through the router's admin panel. Consider using a strong password with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols to make it harder for someone to guess if they only hear it once.
Why does my iPhone keep asking me to enter the WiFi password even though I already did?
This usually means the password your iPhone has saved does not match the one currently set on the router. Go to Settings > WiFi, tap the network, select Forget This Network, and then reconnect by entering the password again. If the problem continues, check that you are typing the correct password — it may have been changed by someone else with access to the router.
Can I see passwords for networks I connected to on my old iPhone?
If you restored your new iPhone from a backup of your old iPhone, the saved passwords transfer over automatically. If you set up your new iPhone as a new device instead, the passwords do not transfer — you will need to reconnect to each network manually and re-enter the passwords.