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 that says "Show password" near the bottom. Your Mac will ask for your user account password — this is a security step to prevent someone else from reading stored passwords if they have access to your computer. Type your password and click "Allow". The WiFi password now appears in plain text in that same box.

This method works for any network your Mac has connected to before, whether you set it up yourself or joined someone else's network years ago. It does not work for networks you have never connected to.

Key Takeaways

  • Keychain Access stores every WiFi password your Mac has ever used, and you can view any of them by searching for the network name and entering your user account password.
  • If you cannot remember your own network password, you can reset it through your router's admin panel, which usually requires logging in at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in a web browser.
  • The router's default login credentials are printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the device, or in the manual that came with it.
  • If you are trying to find a password for someone else's network, ask the network owner directly — there is no way to retrieve it without their account password or access to their router.

Resetting your own WiFi password through the router

If you own the network but cannot find the password in Keychain Access (perhaps you set it up on a different device), you can change it by logging into your router. Open a web browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar. One of these addresses will load your router's login page.

You will need the router's admin username and password. These are printed on a sticker attached to the back or bottom of the router itself — usually labeled "Admin" or "Default Login". If you have changed these credentials and forgotten them, you will need to perform a factory reset by holding down the reset button (usually a small recessed button) on the router for 10 to 15 seconds. This erases all your settings, so you will need to set up the network again from scratch.

Once logged in, look for a section called "WiFi", "Wireless", "Security", or "Network Settings" — the exact name varies by router brand. Find the field showing your current network password (sometimes called "passphrase" or "pre-shared key"). You can view it or change it to something new. Save your changes, and the router will restart.

Why your Mac stores passwords and what it means for security

Keychain Access is designed so you do not have to type your WiFi password every time you reconnect to a network. The trade-off is that anyone with access to your Mac and your user account password can see all your stored passwords — not just WiFi, but email, banking sites, and anything else you have saved.

This is why it matters that your Mac user account has a strong password. If someone gains access to your account, they can open Keychain Access and read passwords without your permission. If you share your Mac with others, consider creating separate user accounts so each person has their own Keychain.

If you suspect someone has accessed your Keychain, you can change your stored passwords one at a time by opening Keychain Access, finding each entry, and updating it. For critical accounts like email or banking, change the actual password on the service itself (not just in Keychain) so that old passwords stop working everywhere.

Finding a password for a network you joined on another device

If you connected to a WiFi network on your iPhone or iPad but need the password on your Mac, the password is not stored anywhere you can easily retrieve it. The simplest solution is to ask the network owner for the password directly.

If you are the network owner and set it up on your iPhone, you can view it on the iPhone itself. Go to Settings, tap WiFi, find the network name, tap the info icon (the small circle with an "i"), and tap "Share Password". This shows the password on your iPhone screen. On a Mac, you can then type it into Keychain Access manually if you want to store it there.

What to do if you cannot access your Mac user account password

If you have forgotten your Mac user account password, you cannot open Keychain Access to view stored WiFi passwords. You will need to reset your Mac user account password first. On newer Macs with Apple Silicon, you can use your Apple ID to reset the password. Go to the login screen, click "Forgot password?", and follow the prompts.

On older Intel Macs, the process is more involved and may require recovery mode or a password reset disk. If you do not have either, contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store — they can help you regain access to your account.

Viewing passwords for networks you set up with WPS or a QR code

Some routers let you connect by scanning a QR code or pressing a WPS button instead of typing a password. Your Mac still stores the actual password in Keychain Access — the QR code or WPS button is just an alternative way to enter it. Search for the network name in Keychain Access the same way you would for any other network, and the password will be there.

If you set up the network using a QR code and never saw the password yourself, you will need to view it through your router's admin panel or ask whoever set up the network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see a WiFi password on my Mac if I am not the network owner?

No. Keychain Access only shows passwords for networks your Mac has connected to before, and only if you have your user account password. If you need a password for someone else's network, ask them directly. There is no technical way around this.

What if Keychain Access shows the network but no password field?

This usually means the network does not have a password (it is open). Some older networks or guest networks work this way. If you believe the network should have a password, try disconnecting and reconnecting to it — your Mac will prompt you to enter the password again, and you can see what you type.

Is it safe to store WiFi passwords in Keychain?

Yes, as long as your Mac user account password is strong. Keychain is encrypted and requires your account password to open. The risk is that someone with your account password can read all your stored passwords, so protect your account password the same way you would protect a master key.

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

Keychain does not have a built-in export feature for WiFi passwords. You can view them one at a time in Keychain Access, but there is no way to read them all as a list. If you need to move to a new Mac, you can transfer your entire Keychain by using Migration Assistant during setup.

What happens to my stored passwords if I sell my Mac?

If you erase your Mac before selling it, all stored passwords are deleted along with everything else. Use the Erase Mac option in System Settings under General to wipe the drive completely. Do not just delete files — that leaves data recoverable. A full erase removes Keychain and all other personal information.