How to Find Your WiFi Password on Your Phone

Where your phone stores the WiFi password

Your phone remembers every WiFi network you have ever connected to, including the password. The password is stored in your phone's settings, not in an app — it is part of the operating system itself. On both Android and iPhone, you can view that password without special tools, though the exact steps differ between the two.

The reason you might need this: you want to connect a new device to your home network, you forgot the password and cannot find it written down, or you need to share it with someone visiting. Your phone has it, and retrieving it takes less than a minute once you know where to look.

Key Takeaways

On iPhone, you view the WiFi password through Settings > WiFi, then tap the network name and select "Share Password" — the password itself does not display, but you can share it to another iPhone or Mac.
On Android, the steps vary by manufacturer and Android version, but generally you go to Settings > WiFi, long-press the network name, and select "Share" or "View Password" if available.
If your phone does not show the password option, you can reset your router to factory settings and create a new password, or log into your router's admin panel from a web browser.
Some Android phones require you to take a screenshot of a QR code instead of viewing the password in text form.

Finding the password on an iPhone

Open Settings and tap WiFi. Find the network name (called the SSID) that you are connected to — it will have a checkmark next to it. Tap the information icon (a small circle with an "i" inside) to the right of the network name.

A menu will appear. Look for an option that says Share Password. Tap it. Your iPhone will not display the password as text on your screen. Instead, it generates a QR code that another iPhone, iPad, or Mac can scan to connect to the same network automatically. If you need the password in text form on an iPhone, this method will not give it to you — you will need to use a different approach, such as checking your router or resetting it.

Finding the password on Android

Open Settings and go to WiFi or Network & Internet (the exact name depends on your phone maker). Find the network you are connected to. Long-press (hold your finger on) the network name for two to three seconds until a menu appears.

Look for an option labeled Share, View Password, or Show Password. Tap it. On many Android phones, you will see a QR code that another device can scan. Some phones also display the password as text below the QR code — if yours does, write it down or take a screenshot. If you see only the QR code and no text password, the phone is not showing the password in readable form, and you will need to try the router method instead.

On some Samsung phones, the menu option is called Manage QR Code or View Details. If you tap it and see only a QR code, take a screenshot of it — that QR code can be scanned by any device to join the network without typing the password.

What to do if your phone does not show the password

Not all phones display the WiFi password as readable text. If your phone shows only a QR code, you have two options: use the QR code to connect other devices, or retrieve the password from your router instead.

To get the password from your router, open a web browser on any device connected to the internet (your phone, a computer, or a tablet). Type your router's IP address into the address bar — this is usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, but check your router's label or manual if those do not work. Log in with the username and password printed on the router (often "admin" and "admin", or "admin" and the router's serial number). Once logged in, look for a section called WiFi Settings, Wireless, or Network. The password will be listed there, usually labeled WiFi Password, Pre-Shared Key, or PSK.

Using a QR code to share the password

If your phone displays a QR code but no text password, that QR code is still useful. Any smartphone with a camera can scan it to connect to your network automatically — the person scanning does not need to type the password. Have them open their phone's camera app, point it at the QR code on your screen, and tap the notification that appears. Their phone will connect to the network without asking for the password.

You can also take a screenshot of the QR code and send it to someone by text or email. They can open the image on their phone, open their camera app, and scan it the same way. This works even if you are not in the same room.

Resetting your router if you cannot find the password

If your phone will not show the password and you cannot access your router's admin panel, you can reset the router to factory settings. This erases all your current settings and creates a new default password, which is usually printed on the router's label or in the manual.

To reset, locate the small reset button on the back or bottom of your router (it is usually recessed so you cannot press it by accident). Use a paperclip or pen to press and hold it for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will blink and the router will restart. Once it is back on, the network name and password will be reset to the factory defaults — check the router's label for these. You will then need to set up your network again with a new password of your choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my WiFi password on my phone if I have never connected to that network before?

No. Your phone only stores passwords for networks it has already connected to. If you need the password for a network you have never joined, you will need to ask the network owner or access the router's admin panel.

Why does my iPhone show only a QR code and not the actual password?

Apple designed iPhones to share passwords through QR codes for security — the password never appears as text on the screen. If you need the password in text form, you will have to retrieve it from your router's admin panel instead.

Can I share my WiFi password from my phone to a Windows computer?

iPhones cannot share passwords to Windows computers — only to other Apple devices. Android phones may show a QR code that a Windows computer can scan with a camera or QR code reader app, but this depends on the Android version and manufacturer. Your easiest option is to access your router's admin panel from the Windows computer's web browser.

What if I forgot my router's admin password?

You will need to reset the router to factory settings using the reset button. This erases the admin password and returns it to the default, which is printed on the router's label. After resetting, you can log in with the default credentials and change the admin password to something new.

Is it safe to share my WiFi password using a QR code?

Yes. A QR code contains the same information as typing the password manually — it is just a different way to enter it. Anyone who scans the code can connect to your network, so only share it with people you trust, just as you would with the password itself.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.