The fastest way: Keychain Access

Your Mac stores every WiFi password you have ever connected to in a program called Keychain Access. You can retrieve any saved password in about one minute without restarting anything or entering recovery mode.

Open Keychain Access by pressing Command + Space, typing "keychain", and pressing Enter. A window will open showing a list of stored passwords and accounts. In the search box at the top right, type the name of your WiFi network exactly as it appears on your device — for example, "Linksys" or "Guest Network". The network name will appear in the list below.

Double-click the network name. A small window will pop up showing the network details. At the bottom, check the box next to "Show password". Your Mac will ask you to confirm your user account password — type it in and click "Allow". The WiFi password will now appear in plain text in that same window.

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 and checking "Show password".
  • Your Mac user account password is required to view a stored WiFi password, so you must know your own login credentials.
  • If you cannot find the network in Keychain Access, your Mac has never connected to it before, and you will need to ask the network owner or check the router itself.
  • The password shown in Keychain Access is the actual WiFi password — you can share it with other devices or people who need to connect.

What to do if the network does not appear in Keychain Access

If you search for your network name and nothing comes up, your Mac has never successfully connected to that WiFi before. Keychain only stores passwords for networks your computer has actually joined. Check that you are typing the network name correctly — WiFi names are case-sensitive, and a space or letter out of place will not match.

If you are certain the name is correct and the network still does not appear, your Mac straightforward does not have the password stored. In this case, you will need to contact whoever set up the router — usually the home owner, landlord, or office manager — and ask them for the password directly. Alternatively, you can check the router itself, which often has the default password printed on a sticker on the back or bottom.

Finding the password on your router if Keychain does not help

Every WiFi router has a physical sticker on it that shows the default network name and password. Look on the back, bottom, or sides of the device. The password is usually labeled "WiFi Password", "Network Key", or "Security Key". Write down exactly what you see — passwords are case-sensitive and often include numbers and special characters that look similar to each other (like the number 0 and the letter O).

If the sticker is missing or unreadable, you can log into the router's settings page directly from your Mac. Open a web browser and 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 — try "admin" and "admin", or "admin" and "password". Once you are logged in, look for a section called "WiFi Settings", "Wireless", or "Security". The current password will be displayed there, though it may be hidden behind dots or asterisks. Some routers have a "Show" button next to the password field.

Resetting a forgotten password through the router

If you cannot find the password anywhere and the router login does not work, you can reset the router to its factory defaults. This will erase the current password and return the network to whatever password was printed on the sticker when the router was new. Look for a small reset button on the back of the router — it is usually recessed so you cannot press it by accident. Use a paperclip or the tip of a pen to hold the button down for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights on the router will blink, and it will restart.

After the reset, the network name and password will return to the factory defaults shown on the sticker. This process will disconnect every device currently using that WiFi, and anyone who had changed the password will need to set a new one. Only do this if you own the router or have permission from whoever does.

Why your Mac stores passwords and how to manage them

Keychain Access is a password manager built into macOS. Every time you connect to a WiFi network and enter the password correctly, your Mac asks if you want to save it. If you click "Save", the password is encrypted and stored in Keychain so you do not have to type it again. The same system stores passwords for websites, email accounts, and other services.

You can delete a stored password from Keychain if you no longer want your Mac to connect to that network automatically. Open Keychain Access, find the network name, right-click it, and select "Delete". The next time you try to connect to that network, your Mac will ask for the password again. You can also prevent your Mac from auto-connecting to a network by going to System Settings, clicking WiFi, and selecting "Forget This Network" next to the network name.

Viewing passwords for networks you are currently connected to

If you are already connected to a WiFi network and want to see its password without searching Keychain, you can do it directly from the WiFi menu. Click the WiFi icon in the top-right corner of your screen. Find your current network in the list — it will have a checkmark next to it. Hold down the Option key and click on the network name. A small window will appear showing the network details, including the password if you click "Show password" and confirm your Mac user account password.

This method is faster if you are already connected, but it only works for the network you are currently using. For any other network, you will need to use Keychain Access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see a WiFi password if I do not know my Mac login password?

No. Your Mac requires your user account password before showing any stored WiFi password. This is a security feature to prevent someone else from viewing your passwords if they have access to your computer. If you have forgotten your Mac login password, you will need to reset it through Apple ID or use recovery mode before you can access Keychain.

What if the password in Keychain does not work when I try to connect from another device?

The password stored in Keychain is correct — it is the actual WiFi password. If it does not work on another device, the most common reason is a typing error. WiFi passwords are case-sensitive and often contain numbers and special characters that are straightforward to misread. Copy and paste the password from Keychain instead of typing it by hand. If it still does not work, the router owner may have changed the password since your Mac last connected.

Can I change my WiFi password from my Mac?

You can change it by logging into your router's settings page, but you cannot change it directly from macOS. Open a web browser, go to 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, log in with your router credentials, and look for WiFi Settings or Security. After you change the password, your Mac will ask for the new one the next time it tries to connect. You will need to update the password on all other devices as well.

Is it safe to share my WiFi password from Keychain?

Yes. The password you see in Keychain is the same password you would give to anyone else who needs to connect to your network. Sharing it does not expose any other passwords or personal information. If you later want to prevent someone from using your WiFi, you can change the router password, and their device will no longer be able to connect.