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 30 seconds without restarting anything or changing your network settings.

Open Keychain Access by pressing Command + Space, typing "keychain", and pressing Enter. A window will open showing a list of saved 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-5G" 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 identity — enter your Mac login password and click "Allow". The WiFi password will appear in plain text in that same window. You can now copy it or write it down.

Key Takeaways

  • Keychain Access stores every WiFi password your Mac has ever connected to, and you can view any of them by searching for the network name.
  • You will need to enter your Mac login password to reveal a stored WiFi password — this is a security feature to prevent others from viewing your passwords.
  • If the network does not appear in Keychain Access, your Mac has never connected to it, so the password cannot be retrieved this way.
  • The password you see in Keychain is the exact password needed to connect other devices to that same network.

What to do if the network is not in Keychain

If you search for your network name in Keychain and it does not appear, your Mac has never successfully connected to that network before. Keychain only stores passwords for networks your Mac has joined — it cannot show you a password for a network you have never used.

In this case, you will need to contact the person who set up the network. If it is your home WiFi, check any paperwork that came with your router, or look on the back or bottom of the router itself — many routers print the default password on a sticker. If it is a work or public network, ask the network administrator or the person who gave you 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 using Keychain, you can check your network settings. Click the WiFi icon in the top right corner of your screen and look for the network you are connected to — it will have a checkmark next to it. Unfortunately, the Mac menu does not display the password directly from this screen.

The Keychain method remains the only built-in way to view a saved password on Mac. Some third-party apps claim to show WiFi passwords, but Keychain Access is the official, find tool Apple provides for this purpose.

Why your Mac asks for your login password

When you reveal a WiFi password in Keychain, your Mac requires you to enter your login password. This is intentional — it prevents someone who briefly uses your computer from viewing all your saved network passwords without your knowledge.

If you are the only person who uses your Mac, this step may feel unnecessary, but it is a standard security practice. If you share your Mac with others and do not want them to see your passwords, this requirement protects you. If you forget your Mac login password, you will not be able to view stored WiFi passwords through Keychain.

Sharing a WiFi password with someone else

Once you have found the password in Keychain, you can share it with another person by typing or writing it down. Make sure you copy the password exactly as shown — WiFi passwords are case-sensitive, meaning uppercase and lowercase letters matter.

If the person you are sharing with has an iPhone, iPad, or another Mac on the same network, there is an easier option: they can ask to join the network, and if they are signed into the same iCloud account as you, their device may receive the password automatically without you typing it. For Android phones or other devices, you will need to provide the password manually.

What to do if you cannot remember your Mac login password

If you have forgotten the password you use to log into your Mac itself, you cannot view WiFi passwords in Keychain because the system will not let you past the security check. You will need to reset your Mac login password through Apple ID or another recovery method before you can access Keychain.

If you need to connect a device to WiFi and cannot access your Mac's Keychain, contact your router manufacturer or the network administrator. They may be able to reset the network password or provide it to you directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, if your Mac has connected to that network before, the password is stored in your Keychain regardless of who created the network. You can retrieve it the same way. However, you still need your Mac login password to view it.

What if I see a password in Keychain but it does not work when I try to connect?

The password in Keychain is correct for that network. If it does not work on another device, the network password may have been changed since your Mac last connected. Ask the network owner if they have updated the password recently, or try connecting your Mac to the network again to see if it prompts you for a new password.

Is it safe to store WiFi passwords in Keychain?

Yes. Keychain is encrypted and requires your Mac login password to reveal any stored password. As long as you keep your Mac login password find and do not leave your computer unattended while logged in, your WiFi passwords are protected.

Can I delete a WiFi password from Keychain?

Yes. Find the network in Keychain Access, right-click it, and select "Delete". Your Mac will forget that network. The next time you try to connect to it, you will need to enter the password manually. This is useful if you no longer use a network or want to remove it from your saved list.