The fastest way to see your WiFi password
Open Keychain Access on your Mac — the easiest route is to press Command+Space, type "keychain", and press Enter. Once it opens, search for your network name in the top-right search box. When you find it, double-click the entry, check the box next to "Show password", and your Mac will ask you to confirm with your login password. The WiFi password appears in plain text.
This works because your Mac stores every WiFi password you have ever connected to in Keychain, Apple's built-in password manager. The password stays encrypted until you unlock it with your user account password, which is why the system asks you to confirm who you are.
If you do not see your network in the search results, it means your Mac has never connected to it before, or the entry was deleted. In that case, you will need to use one of the other methods below.
Key Takeaways
- Keychain Access is the built-in tool on every Mac that stores WiFi passwords, and you can view any password you have connected to before by searching for the network name.
- You must enter your Mac user account password to unlock and view a stored WiFi password — Apple does this for security.
- If Keychain does not show your network, your Mac has never saved that password, and you will need to ask the router owner or check the router itself.
- The router's default password label is usually printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the device.
Finding the password through System Settings
If you prefer not to use Keychain, you can also view saved WiFi passwords through System Settings. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, select "System Settings", then go to "WiFi" in the sidebar. Find your network in the list, click the information icon (the small "i" next to the network name), and select "Details". Look for the password field — you may need to click it to reveal the text, and your Mac will ask for your user password again.
This method shows the same information as Keychain but keeps you in the Settings app instead of opening a separate tool. Some people find it more intuitive because they are already familiar with System Settings.
Checking the router when you cannot find the password on your Mac
If your Mac has never connected to the network before, or if the password was deleted from Keychain, you will need to find it on the router itself. Look for a sticker on the back, bottom, or side of the router — most manufacturers print the default network name and password there. The label usually says "WiFi Name" or "SSID" and "WiFi Password" or "Key".
If the sticker is missing or worn away, you can log into the router's admin panel. Open a web browser, type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar, and press Enter. You will be asked for a username and password — these are usually "admin" and "admin", or "admin" and the password printed on the router. Once you are logged in, look for a section called "WiFi", "Wireless", or "Network Settings" to find the password.
If you do not remember the router's admin password, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding down the reset button (usually a small recessed button on the back) for 10 to 15 seconds. This erases all settings, including the WiFi password, and returns the router to its default state — you will then need to set up the network again from scratch.
What to do if you share a network with others
If the WiFi belongs to someone else — a roommate, family member, or landlord — the simplest approach is to ask them directly for the password. They can tell you the password over the phone or in person, and you can then connect your Mac normally.
If you need to reconnect to a network you have already used before but cannot remember the password, Keychain is still your best option. Your Mac has the password stored, and you just need to unlock it with your user account password. If the network owner changed the password after you last connected, your Mac will not have the new one, and you will need to ask the owner for the updated password.
Removing a saved WiFi password from your Mac
If you want to delete a WiFi password from your Mac — perhaps because you no longer use that network or you want to force your Mac to ask for the password again — open Keychain Access, search for the network name, right-click the entry, and select "Delete". Your Mac will no longer remember that password. The next time you try to connect to that network, you will be prompted to enter the password again.
Deleting a password from Keychain does not affect the actual WiFi network or the router. It only removes the stored password from your Mac. Other devices that have connected to that network will still have the password saved in their own storage.
Viewing passwords for networks you cannot currently connect to
Keychain stores passwords for networks your Mac has connected to in the past, even if that network is no longer available or you are not currently in range. This means you can view the password for your home WiFi while you are at work, or for a hotel network after you have checked out. Open Keychain Access, search for the network name, and follow the same steps to unlock and view the password.
This is useful if you need to give someone the password to a network you used before, or if you are troubleshooting a connection problem and need to confirm the password is correct.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Mac ask for my user password when I try to view a WiFi password?
Your Mac requires your user password as a security check. WiFi passwords are sensitive information — if anyone could view them without authentication, someone with access to your computer could see all the network passwords you have ever used. Requiring your password ensures only you can unlock this information.
Can I see WiFi passwords on my Mac if I forgot my user account password?
No. If you cannot log into your Mac user account, you cannot unlock Keychain or access System Settings to view stored passwords. You would need to reset your user account password first, which requires access to your Mac or an Apple ID recovery process. Once your account is accessible again, you can view the passwords.
What if the password in Keychain does not work when I try to connect?
The network owner may have changed the password since your Mac last connected. Keychain stores the password from when you last used it, not the current password. Ask the network owner for the new password, or if you are the owner, check your router's settings to confirm what the current password is set to.
Does deleting a WiFi password from Keychain disconnect me from that network?
No. Deleting the password from Keychain only removes it from your Mac's storage. If you are currently connected to that network, you will stay connected. The next time you disconnect or restart your Mac, you will need to enter the password again to reconnect.
Can I view WiFi passwords on my Mac for networks I have never connected to?
No. Keychain only stores passwords for networks your Mac has actually connected to. If you have never joined a network, your Mac has no record of its password. You would need to get the password from the network owner or the router itself.