Where your phone stores the WiFi password
Your phone remembers WiFi passwords in its network settings, but the exact location and how easily you can see them depends on whether you use Android or iPhone. Both systems store the password after you connect to a network for the first time, so you do not have to type it in again. The catch is that neither system makes the password visible in plain text by default — you have to know where to look, and on iPhone, the process is more limited than on Android.
If you need the password to connect a different device, your phone can help you find it without calling your internet provider or resetting your router. The steps differ between the two systems, and some methods work better than others depending on what you are trying to do.
Key Takeaways
- Android phones show saved WiFi passwords in Settings under Network and Internet, then WiFi, then select the network name and tap "Share" or look for a password field.
- iPhone does not display saved passwords in Settings, but you can view them through Keychain on a Mac, or use the QR code feature to share the network with another device without typing the password.
- If you cannot find the password on your phone, you can reset it directly on your router using the reset button, or log into your router's admin panel through a web browser.
- Some routers let you view or change the password through their own app, which may be easier than accessing router settings directly.
Finding the password on an Android phone
On Android, open Settings and go to Network and Internet (or Connections, depending on your phone brand). Tap WiFi, then find the network name you want the password for. Tap and hold the network name, or tap the gear icon next to it — this opens the network details page. Look for a field labeled "Password" or "Preshared Key." The password should appear there in plain text, though some Android versions hide it behind a "Show password" checkbox you have to tap first.
If you see a QR code instead of the password field, tap it to generate a shareable code. You can point another phone's camera at the QR code, and it will prompt that phone to connect to the network without needing to type the password manually. This works across Android and iPhone.
On some Samsung phones, the path is slightly different: Settings, then Connections, then WiFi, then tap the three dots at the top right, then Manage Saved Networks. Select your network and the password appears on the next screen. If you still cannot find it after trying these steps, your phone may not have permission to display it — this sometimes happens if the network was set up by a work administrator or a family account owner.
Finding the password on an iPhone
iPhone does not show saved WiFi passwords directly in Settings. Instead, you have two practical options: use a Mac computer if you have one, or use the WiFi sharing feature to connect another device without typing the password.
If you have a Mac on the same iCloud account, open Keychain Access (search for it in Spotlight). Click Passwords in the sidebar, search for your WiFi network name, double-click it, and check the "Show password" box. You will need to enter your Mac login password to see it. This method only works if you set up the WiFi connection while signed into iCloud on both devices.
If you do not have a Mac, use WiFi sharing instead. Have the person with the iPhone hold their phone near the other device (iPhone, iPad, or Mac) that needs to connect. When that device searches for the network, a prompt appears on your iPhone asking if you want to share the password. Tap Share, and the other device connects automatically without you ever typing or seeing the password. This works as long as both devices are signed into iCloud and have Bluetooth and WiFi turned on.
Resetting the password through your router
If you cannot find the password on your phone and do not have another way to access it, you can change it directly on the router. Most routers have a small reset button on the back or bottom. Press and hold it for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. This resets the router to factory settings, which means the WiFi network name and password return to the defaults printed on a sticker on the router itself.
Resetting the router erases any custom settings you made, including port forwarding, parental controls, or a custom network name. If you want to avoid a full reset, you can log into the router's admin panel instead. Open a web browser and type the router's IP address — usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 — into the address bar. Log in with the default username and password (often "admin" and "admin," or printed on the router). Once inside, look for a WiFi settings or Wireless section where you can view or change the password without resetting everything else.
Using your router's app to find or change the password
Many modern routers come with their own smartphone app that lets you manage settings without logging into a web browser. If your router is from a major brand like TP-Link, Netgear, Asus, or Linksys, search your phone's app store for the brand name plus "router" or "WiFi." read the app, sign in with your router's admin account, and look for a WiFi settings or Security section. Most apps display the current password and let you change it from there.
Using the app is often simpler than accessing the web browser version, especially if you have forgotten the admin password. Some apps also let you restart the router, check which devices are connected, or set up a guest network — all without touching the physical router. If you do not know your admin password and the app does not have a "forgot password" option, you will need to reset the router to factory settings to regain access.
What to do if your phone will not show the password
If your Android phone refuses to display the password even after following the steps above, the network may have been set up by a work account, school account, or family organizer. These accounts sometimes restrict what individual users can see. Ask the person who set up the network to provide the password, or ask them to change it so you can reconnect if needed.
On iPhone, the lack of a built-in password viewer is by design for security reasons. If you need the password for a device that cannot use WiFi sharing, your only option is to access the router directly through a web browser or app, or to ask whoever set up the network for the password. If you are the network owner but have forgotten the password, resetting the router is the fastest way forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see a WiFi password on my phone if I am not the network owner?
On Android, if you are connected to the network, you can usually see the password in the network details. On iPhone, you cannot view it in Settings at all. If the network owner is nearby, you can use WiFi sharing to connect another device without needing the password itself. Otherwise, you will need to ask the owner for it.
What if I see a QR code instead of the password on Android?
The QR code is a shareable version of the network. Point another phone's camera at it, and that phone will get a prompt to connect to the network automatically. This is actually easier than typing the password, and it works across Android and iPhone. You do not need to do anything else — the QR code contains all the information the other phone needs.
Does resetting my router erase everything?
Yes, a factory reset erases all custom settings, including your WiFi password, network name, port forwarding rules, and any other changes you made. The router returns to the defaults printed on its label. If you want to change only the password, log into the router's admin panel or app instead of pressing the reset button.
Why can't I see the password on my iPhone?
Apple restricts password visibility on iPhone for security. If you need to connect another device, use WiFi sharing instead — hold your iPhone near the other device, and a prompt appears asking if you want to share the network. The other device connects without you typing anything. If that does not work, access your router directly through a web browser or app.
How do I log into my router if I forgot the admin password?
Press and hold the reset button on the router for 10 to 15 seconds to restore factory settings. This resets the admin password to the default, usually "admin" or printed on the router's label. After resetting, you can log back in and change the WiFi password. Be aware that this also erases any other custom settings you made.