How to Find Your WiFi Network Password on Windows, Mac, and Phone

Where Your Network Password Lives

Your WiFi password is stored on the device you used to connect to the network. If you set up the router yourself, you probably typed the password once and then forgot it — that is normal. The password does not live in one central place; instead, each device remembers it separately. To find it, you go into that device's network settings and ask it to show you what it saved.

The steps differ depending on whether you are using Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, or a router admin panel. Start with whichever device you have that is currently connected to the network, because that device already knows the password.

Key Takeaways

Your WiFi password is stored on each device that connected to it, not in one central location, so you retrieve it from any device that is already connected.
On Windows, open Settings, go to Network, select your WiFi network, and click "Manage known networks" to view the saved password.
On Mac, open Keychain Access from Applications > Utilities, search for your network name, and double-click to reveal the password.
On iPhone and Android, you cannot view a saved password directly, but you can share it with another device or reset it from the router itself.
If you cannot find the password anywhere, you can reset the router to factory settings and create a new password, though this disconnects all devices temporarily.

Finding Your Password on Windows

On Windows 10 or 11, the fastest route is through Settings. Click the Start button, type "Settings" and open it. Then select Network and Internet from the left menu.

Look for WiFi on the left side and click it. You will see a list of networks you have connected to before. Find your network name in that list and click it. A panel will open showing network details. Look for a button or link that says Manage known networks or Manage. Click that, then select your network name again from the list that appears.

A new window will open with network properties. Scroll down until you see a section labeled Security type or Security. Below that, there should be a field showing dots or asterisks where your password is hidden. Click Show next to that field, and Windows will display your actual password in plain text.

Finding Your Password on Mac

On Mac, your WiFi password is stored in Keychain, which is Apple's password manager. Open Finder and go to Applications. Then open the Utilities folder. Inside, you will find Keychain Access — double-click it to open.

At the top of the Keychain window, make sure you are in the Passwords tab. In the search box at the top right, type your WiFi network name exactly as it appears. Keychain will filter the list and show your network. Click on it once to select it.

Now look at the bottom of the window. You will see a checkbox that says Show password. Click that checkbox. Mac will ask you to confirm your user account password — type it in and click Allow. Your WiFi password will then appear in plain text in the password field.

Finding Your Password on iPhone or iPad

iPhone and iPad do not let you view a saved WiFi password directly through settings. However, you can share the password with another Apple device that is nearby. If you have a Mac, iPad, or another iPhone in the same room, you can use that device to see the password instead.

Alternatively, if you have another person's iPhone or iPad that is connected to the same network, you can ask them to share it with you. When they try to connect to the network from their device, a prompt will appear asking if they want to share the password. They tap Share Password, and their device will send it to yours without displaying it in text.

If neither option works, your only path is to reset the password from the router itself, which is covered in the section below.

Finding Your Password on Android

Android devices also do not display saved WiFi passwords in their settings. However, some Android phones let you view the password if the device is rooted, which is a technical process most people do not do.

The practical route is to use a second device — a Windows computer or Mac — to retrieve the password, then type it manually into your Android phone. If you do not have access to another device, you will need to reset the password from the router.

Retrieving the Password from Your Router

If you cannot find the password on any of your devices, you can view it directly from the router. Log into your router's admin panel by opening a web browser and typing your router's IP address — usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 — into the address bar.

The router will ask for a username and password. If you have never changed these, they are usually printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the router. Common defaults are "admin" for both username and password, or "admin" and "password". Once you log in, look for a section called Wireless, WiFi, or Security. Your network password should be displayed there, often in a field labeled Passphrase or Pre-shared Key.

Resetting Your Password If You Cannot Find It

If you have tried all the above steps and still cannot locate the password, you can reset it. On the back of your router, there is a small reset button, usually recessed so you need a paperclip or pin to press it. Hold that button for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The router will restart and return to factory settings.

When it comes back online, it will broadcast a default network name and password, both of which are printed on the sticker on the router. Connect to that network, then log into the router admin panel and create a new network name and password. Be aware that resetting the router will disconnect all your other devices, and you will need to reconnect them using the new password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my WiFi password if I am not connected to the network?

No. Your device only stores the password after you have connected at least once. If you have never connected, the password is not saved anywhere on that device. You will need to retrieve it from another device that is already connected, or from the router itself.

Why does my Windows Settings not show a "Manage known networks" option?

This option appears only if you have connected to at least one WiFi network before. If you have never connected, there will be nothing to manage. Also, make sure you are looking in the WiFi section of Network and Internet, not in a different area.

Is it safe to share my WiFi password with someone?

Yes, sharing your password is safe in the sense that it does not expose your personal files or accounts. However, anyone with the password can use your internet connection and see how much data you are using. Only share it with people you trust.

What if I reset my router but forgot to write down the new password?

You can log back into the router admin panel using the default credentials on the sticker, and you will see the password you created. Write it down this time, or take a photo of the screen before you log out.

Can I change my WiFi password without resetting the entire router?

Yes. Log into the router admin panel, find the WiFi or Wireless section, and look for a field labeled Passphrase or Pre-shared Key. Change it to whatever you want, save the settings, and the router will explore the new password when ready. All your devices will disconnect and ask you to reconnect with the new password.

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.