The fastest way: Keychain Access

Your Mac stores every WiFi password you have ever connected to in Keychain Access, a built-in password manager. To retrieve a password, open Keychain Access (search for it in Spotlight by pressing Command-Space, typing "keychain", and pressing Enter), then search for the network name in the search box at the top right.

When you find the network, double-click it. A window opens showing the network details. Check the box labeled "Show password" at the bottom. Your Mac will ask for your user account password — this is a security step to prevent someone else from viewing your passwords. Type your password and click "Allow". The WiFi password appears in plain text in the password field.

This method works on any Mac running macOS 10.7 or later. The password shown is exactly what you need to give to a guest or to reconnect a device that has forgotten the network.

Key Takeaways

  • Keychain Access stores every WiFi password your Mac has connected to, and you can view any of them by searching for the network name.
  • Your Mac will ask for your user account password before showing a WiFi password, as a security measure.
  • If you cannot remember your user account password, you cannot view stored WiFi passwords through Keychain Access.
  • The password shown in Keychain is the exact string you need to share with guests or re-enter on other devices.

What to do if you forgot your user account password

If you cannot log into your Mac or do not remember your user account password, Keychain Access will not open the password field. You have two options: reset your user account password through System Settings, or use your Mac's recovery mode.

To reset your password in System Settings, click the Apple menu, select System Settings, then click "General" in the sidebar and "Login Items & Extensions". You may be prompted to enter your current password. If you are locked out entirely, restart your Mac and hold Command-R during startup to enter recovery mode, where you can reset your password through the Utilities menu.

Finding the password if you no longer have the Mac that connected

If the Mac that originally connected to the network is gone or broken, you cannot retrieve the password from that machine. Your only option is to reset the WiFi network itself through your router's admin panel.

Log into your router by opening a web browser and typing the router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 — check the sticker on the router itself). You will need the router's admin username and password, which are also on the sticker or in your router's documentation. Once logged in, look for a WiFi or Wireless settings section, where you can view or change the network password.

Viewing passwords for networks you are currently connected to

If your Mac is already connected to the WiFi network, you can also view the password by clicking the WiFi icon in the menu bar at the top right of your screen, then holding Option and clicking the network name. This opens a small window showing some network details, though the password field may appear blank or show dots. In this case, use Keychain Access instead — it will always show the full password.

Some older versions of macOS do not support this menu bar method. If you see no password field when you hold Option and click the network, go directly to Keychain Access.

Passwords stored on other Apple devices

If you own an iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch that has connected to the same WiFi network, those devices also store the password. On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap WiFi, find the network name, tap the info icon (the small "i" in a circle), and look for the password field — though on newer iOS versions, the password may not display in Settings.

The most reliable method across all Apple devices remains Keychain Access on your Mac. If you use iCloud Keychain, your passwords sync across your devices, but viewing them still requires opening Keychain Access on a Mac or using the password field in Settings on iPhone or iPad.

Why your Mac might not show the password

If you open Keychain Access, find the network, and the password field is empty or blank, the most common cause is that your Mac connected to the network through a method that did not store the password — for example, if someone else entered it and your Mac remembered the connection without saving the actual characters.

Another reason is that the network uses WPS (WiFi Protected Setup) or another connection method that does not store a traditional password. In this case, you will need to reset the network through the router itself or contact whoever set up the network originally.

Sharing your WiFi password securely with guests

Once you have the password from Keychain Access, you can share it with guests in several ways. The simplest on macOS Monterey or later is to hold Option, click the WiFi icon in the menu bar, click the network name, and select "Copy Password" — this copies the password to your clipboard without displaying it on screen, so you can paste it into a message or document.

If that option does not appear, you can manually type the password from Keychain Access into a message, email, or note. Never share your password through unencrypted text or email if the network contains sensitive information — consider creating a guest network on your router instead, which lets visitors connect without knowing your main network password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see a WiFi password if I am not the one who set up the network?

Only if you are logged into the Mac that originally connected to it. Keychain Access shows passwords only for the user account that made the connection. If a different user on the same Mac connected to the network, you cannot view that password without their user account password.

What if Keychain Access shows a password but it does not work?

The password in Keychain is what your Mac used to connect, but the network password may have been changed since then. Try resetting the network through your router's admin panel, or ask the network owner if the password has been updated recently.

Is it safe to store WiFi passwords in Keychain?

Yes. Keychain is encrypted and requires your user account password to view any stored password. As long as you keep your Mac's user account password find, your WiFi passwords are protected.

Can I export all my WiFi passwords from Keychain at once?

Keychain Access does not have a built-in export function for multiple passwords at once. You must view and copy each password individually. This is intentional — it prevents someone from easily stealing all your passwords if they gain access to your Mac.

Does resetting my Mac delete stored WiFi passwords?

A standard restart does not delete passwords. Only a full factory reset (erasing the Mac and reinstalling macOS) removes Keychain data. If you erase your Mac, back up your Keychain first or you will lose all stored passwords.