Where to find your saved WiFi password

Your phone stores WiFi passwords after you connect to a network, but the location depends on whether you use Android or iPhone. On both systems, the password is encrypted and hidden from plain view — you cannot straightforward open Settings and read it like a note. Instead, you need to either view it through your phone's settings (iPhone only), ask your router to show it, or use a third-party app to extract it (Android only).

The fastest method for most people is to check your router itself, since the password is printed on a sticker on the back or bottom. If you no longer have access to the router or the sticker is worn away, the steps below will walk you through finding it on your phone.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone users can view a saved WiFi password through Settings > WiFi > the network name > Share Password, but only if you set up that network on your current phone.
  • Android does not have a built-in way to view saved passwords in Settings, but you can see them if your phone is rooted or through your Google Account settings if you saved the password there.
  • The easiest method for any phone is to check the physical router — the password is usually on a sticker on the back or bottom of the device.
  • If you cannot access the router or phone settings, you can reset the router to factory defaults and create a new password, though this disconnects all devices temporarily.

Finding your WiFi password on iPhone

On iPhone, you can view a saved WiFi password if you connected to that network on your current device. Open Settings, tap WiFi, then find the network name in the list. Tap the information icon (a small circle with an "i") next to the network name. At the top of the screen, you will see the network name and a Share Password button. Tap Share Password — your phone may ask you to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode. Once you do, the password appears on the screen.

This method only works for networks you have personally connected to on that iPhone. If someone else set up the network on a different phone, or if you are trying to find the password for a network you have never joined, this route will not show it. In that case, you need to check the router directly or ask the person who set up the network.

Finding your WiFi password on Android

Android does not display saved WiFi passwords in the Settings app the way iPhone does. However, you have two options: check your Google Account if you saved the password there, or use a third-party app if your phone is rooted (a technical process that voids warranties and is not recommended for most users).

To check your Google Account, open a web browser on any device and go to myaccount.google.com. Sign in with the Google account linked to your Android phone. Click Security on the left side, scroll down to Your devices, and select Manage all devices. Find your Android phone in the list and click it. Scroll to Saved passwords and look for your WiFi network. If it appears there, you can view the password. This method only works if you enabled Google's password manager when you first connected to the network.

Checking your router for the password

The simplest way to find your WiFi password is to look at the router itself. Most routers have a sticker on the back or bottom that lists the network name (SSID) and the password. The sticker may say "WiFi Password," "Network Key," "Passphrase," or straightforward show both pieces of information without a label. If the sticker is still readable, write down the password exactly as it appears — WiFi passwords are case-sensitive, meaning uppercase and lowercase letters matter.

If the sticker is missing, worn away, or you cannot physically reach the router, you can log into the router's admin panel from any device on the network. Open a web browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar (the exact address varies by router brand). You will be asked for a username and password — these are usually "admin" and "admin," or "admin" and the router's serial number, which is printed on the device itself. Once logged in, look for a section labeled Wireless, WiFi Settings, or Network. The password is usually listed there.

Resetting your router if you cannot find the password

If you cannot locate the password through any of the methods above, you can reset your router to its factory defaults and create a new password. On most routers, there is a small reset button on the back that you hold down for 10 to 15 seconds using a paperclip or pen. The router will restart and return to its original settings, which means all devices will be disconnected from the network.

After the reset, the router will broadcast a default network name (usually something like "TP-Link-1234" or the router brand name) with no password or a default password printed on the sticker. Connect to this network, then log into the admin panel and create a new password. This process takes about 10 minutes total, but every device in your home will need to reconnect to the network afterward. Only do this if you are the owner of the router and have permission to reset it.

What to do if you share a network with others

If you are on a shared network — at work, in an apartment building, or at a friend's house — you cannot view or reset the password yourself. Instead, contact the person who manages the network. For work networks, contact your IT department. For apartment buildings, contact the landlord or property management. For a friend's network, straightforward ask them directly.

If you need to reconnect to a shared network on a new device and do not have the password, the network owner can share it with you through AirDrop (iPhone to iPhone), by reading it aloud, or by using the Share Password feature if you are both on the same network and they have an iPhone. They can also reset the password from their router's admin panel and give you the new one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my WiFi password if I forgot it and do not have the router?

On iPhone, yes — if you connected to that network on your current phone, you can view the password through Settings. On Android, only if you saved it to your Google Account. If neither applies, you need access to the physical router or permission from the network owner to reset it.

Is my WiFi password the same as my router password?

No. Your WiFi password is what you use to connect devices to the network. Your router password is what you use to log into the admin panel to change settings. They are separate and can be different. The WiFi password is on the sticker; the router password is usually "admin" or printed on the device.

What if the password on the router sticker does not work?

The password may have been changed after the router was set up. Try logging into the admin panel with the default username and password (usually both "admin") and look for the WiFi settings to see the current password. If that does not work, reset the router to factory defaults using the reset button.

Can I view my WiFi password on someone else's phone?

Only if they have an iPhone and connected to that network on their device — they can then use the Share Password feature to show you. On Android, there is no built-in way. You would need to ask the network owner directly or check the router yourself.

Why does my phone not show the password even though I am connected?

On iPhone, the password only appears if you set up the network on that specific phone. If someone else connected you or you joined through a QR code, you may not be able to view it. On Android, the password is not stored in a viewable location in Settings. Check your Google Account or ask the network owner instead.