The fastest way: Keychain Access on your Mac

Your Mac stores every WiFi password you have ever connected to in an app called Keychain Access. You can retrieve any of those passwords in about 30 seconds without restarting anything or entering recovery mode. Open Keychain Access by pressing Command+Space, typing "keychain", and pressing Enter.

Once Keychain Access opens, click the search box in the top right corner and type the name of the WiFi network (the SSID) you need the password for. When the network name appears in the list, double-click it. A window will pop up showing the network details. Check the box that says "Show password" near the bottom. Your Mac will ask you to enter your Mac login password — this is a security check to prevent someone else from reading your saved passwords. Type your Mac password and click "Allow". The WiFi password will appear in plain text in that same box.

Write down the password or copy it before you close the window. Once you close Keychain Access, the password field will hide again.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Mac stores WiFi passwords in Keychain Access, which you can open by pressing Command+Space and typing "keychain".
  • Search for the network name, double-click it, check "Show password", and enter your Mac login password to see the WiFi password in plain text.
  • If you do not remember your Mac login password, you cannot retrieve saved WiFi passwords through Keychain Access.
  • This method works for any network your Mac has connected to before, regardless of whether you are currently connected to that network.

What to do if the network does not appear in Keychain

If you search for the network name and nothing shows up, your Mac has never saved a password for that network. This usually means you have never successfully connected to it before, or you connected as a guest without entering a password.

If you are currently connected to the network and just need to share the password with someone else, you will need to ask the person who set up the network or check any documentation they gave you. If you are the network owner and have forgotten the password, you will need to reset the router itself — the steps vary by router model, but usually involve holding a reset button for 10 to 15 seconds.

Using System Settings instead of Keychain Access

On newer Macs running macOS Ventura or later, you can also find saved WiFi passwords through System Settings. Click the Apple menu, select System Settings, then click WiFi in the sidebar. Find the network you want the password for, click the information icon next to it, and then click "Security". You will see a "Password" field — check the box next to it and enter your Mac login password. The password will appear in plain text.

This method is slightly faster if you are already in System Settings, but Keychain Access works on all Mac operating systems and is often easier to navigate if you are looking for an older network you have not connected to in months.

Why your Mac stores these passwords and what it means for security

Your Mac saves WiFi passwords so you do not have to type them in every time you connect to the same network. This is convenient, but it also means that anyone with access to your Mac and your login password can see every WiFi password you have ever used. This includes passwords for networks at your workplace, your friends' homes, or public places.

If you are concerned about someone else accessing your Mac, change your Mac login password. If you are concerned about a specific WiFi network, you can delete that password from Keychain by opening Keychain Access, finding the network name, right-clicking it, and selecting "Delete". The next time you connect to that network, you will have to enter the password again, and your Mac will ask if you want to save it.

If you sell or give away your Mac, you should erase it completely before handing it over. straightforward logging out is not enough — use the Erase Mac feature in System Settings under General to wipe all stored passwords and data.

Retrieving a password when you have forgotten your Mac login password

If you cannot remember the password you use to log into your Mac, you cannot retrieve saved WiFi passwords through Keychain Access or System Settings, because both require your Mac login password as a security check. You will need to reset your Mac login password first.

To reset your Mac login password, restart your Mac and hold Command+Q when ready after you hear the startup sound. This opens the login window. Click "Forgot password?" below the password field. You will be asked security questions or given the option to reset using your Apple ID. Follow the prompts to create a new Mac login password. Once you have done that, you can open Keychain Access and retrieve your WiFi passwords.

Sharing a WiFi password with someone else safely

If you need to give someone the WiFi password, retrieve it using one of the methods above and share it directly — do not email it or send it through a messaging app where it might be stored in a searchable history. If you are sharing the password with a guest, consider creating a separate guest network on your router with its own password instead. Most home routers have a guest network feature that lets you set a different password without affecting your main network.

If you are sharing a work network password, check your workplace's security policy first. Many companies have rules about who can share network access and how. Sharing a work network password without permission can violate those policies, even if you have the technical ability to do so.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see a WiFi password if I am not the one who connected to it?

No. You need your Mac login password to reveal any saved WiFi password, regardless of who originally connected to the network. If you do not know your Mac login password, you cannot retrieve the password through Keychain Access or System Settings.

What if the password field is blank or says "password not available"?

This usually means the network was connected to without a password (an open network) or the password was not saved when you first connected. You will need to ask the network owner for the password or reset the router if you are the owner.

Does deleting a password from Keychain disconnect me from that network?

No. Deleting the password from Keychain only removes it from your saved list. You will stay connected to the network until you manually disconnect. The next time you try to reconnect, your Mac will ask you to enter the password again.

Can I export all my saved WiFi passwords at once?

Keychain Access does not have a built-in export feature for WiFi passwords. You can view them one at a time through Keychain Access or System Settings, but there is no way to read them all as a list or file.

Is it safe to let my Mac remember WiFi passwords?

It is convenient but carries a small risk. Anyone with your Mac login password can see all your saved WiFi passwords. If you use the same password for multiple networks or if any of those networks are sensitive (work, banking, etc.), consider not saving those passwords and typing them in manually each time.