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

The fastest way depends on what device you're using

Your WiFi password is stored on the device you used to set up the network. If you set it up on your laptop, that laptop remembers it. If you set it up on your phone, your phone remembers it. You do not need to contact your internet provider or reset your router — you can pull the password directly from the device that has it, in about two minutes.

The steps differ between Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android because each operating system stores passwords in a different place. Pick the device you used to connect to your network originally, or any device that has been connected for a while and still has the password saved.

Key Takeaways

On Windows, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, select your WiFi network, and click "Manage known networks" to see the password.
On Mac, open Keychain Access, search for your network name, double-click it, check "Show password", and enter your Mac login password.
On iPhone, go to Settings, WiFi, tap your network name, and tap the password field to reveal it (iOS 16 and newer).
On Android, open Settings, go to WiFi, long-press your network name, tap "Share", and the password appears as a QR code or text.
If you cannot find the password on any device, you can reset your router to factory settings, but this erases all your WiFi settings and requires you to set them up again from scratch.

Finding your password on Windows 10 or 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click "Network & Internet" on the left side. Under WiFi, click "Manage known networks". Find your network name in the list and click it. Click "Manage" at the top. Scroll down and toggle "Show" next to the password field — Windows will ask for your login password to confirm you own the account, then display your WiFi password in plain text.

If your network does not appear in the list, it means this Windows device has never connected to it. Try a different device instead. If you see your network but the "Manage" button is grayed out, you do not have administrator rights on this account — ask whoever set up the computer to follow these steps instead.

Finding your password on Mac

Open Spotlight by pressing Command and Space, type "Keychain Access", and press Enter. In the search box at the top right, type your WiFi network name. Double-click the result that matches your network. A window opens showing network details. Check the box next to "Show password" at the bottom. Your Mac will ask for your login password — enter it, and your WiFi password appears in the password field.

Keychain Access stores passwords for everything you have connected to on your Mac, so if you have connected to many networks, the search results may show several items. Look for the one labeled "AirPort" or "WiFi" in the Kind column — that is your network password. Personal hotspots from phones appear here too, so make sure you are looking at the right network name.

Finding your password on iPhone

This method works on iPhone running iOS 16 or newer. Open Settings and tap WiFi. Find your network name in the list and tap it. A popup appears showing network details. Tap the password field — the password appears in plain text. If you do not see a password field, your iPhone is running an older version of iOS and this method will not work; try a different device instead.

If you are trying to find the password for a network you set up on a different iPhone, that device is the one that has the password stored. You can ask the person who owns that phone to follow these steps, or use one of the other methods listed here instead.

Finding your password on Android

Open Settings and go to WiFi. Long-press (hold your finger on) your network name for two seconds. A menu appears with several options. Tap "Share" or "Share password" — the exact wording depends on your Android version. Your WiFi password appears as a QR code and as text below it. You can take a screenshot of the QR code or read the text directly.

Some Android phones show the password only as a QR code, which you can photograph and share with others, but not read as text yourself. If you need the password as text, try a different Android device, or use the Windows or Mac method instead. Older Android versions may not have a Share option — if you do not see it, your phone is too old to display the password this way.

What to do if no device has the password saved

If you have tried all your devices and none of them show the password, your only option is to reset your router to factory settings. This erases all your WiFi settings, including the network name and password, and returns the router to the state it was in when you bought it. You will need to set up your WiFi from scratch afterward.

To reset your router, locate the small reset button on the back or bottom — it is usually recessed so you cannot press it by accident. Use a paperclip or the tip of a pen to hold the button down for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will flash and the router will restart. Once it boots up, your network name will be the default name printed on the router's label, and the password will be the default password also printed on the label. You can then change both to something you prefer by logging into your router's admin page in a web browser.

Why you should not reset your router unless necessary

Resetting your router disconnects every device on your network — your phone, laptop, smart TV, security cameras, smart speakers, and anything else that uses your WiFi. After the reset, you have to reconnect each device one by one and re-enter the new password. This can take 30 minutes or more if you have many devices.

If you have smart home devices like thermostats or cameras, resetting the router can cause them to lose their settings or stop working until you reconnect them. Some devices may require you to use their original setup app to reconnect, which can be tedious. For this reason, try every device you own before you reset the router — one of them almost certainly has the password saved.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. The password is stored on your device itself, not on the network, so you can view it whether you are currently connected or not. If you have ever connected to the network before, the password is saved on that device and you can retrieve it using the steps above.

What if I forgot the password and the router is at someone else's house?

Ask the person who owns the router to follow the steps for their device type and send you the password. If they do not remember it either, they can reset their router using the method described above, but this will disconnect all their devices temporarily.

Is it safe to share my WiFi password with someone?

Yes, sharing your password is safe. The password only controls who can connect to your network — it does not give anyone access to your personal files or accounts. You can change the password anytime in your router's settings if you want to disconnect someone.

Why does my device show a different password than what I set up?

This usually means you changed the password at some point and forgot about it. The device is showing the current password, not the original one you created. If you want to use a different password, you can change it in your router's admin settings, and all your devices will ask you to enter the new password the next time they try to connect.

Can I find my password if I only have a guest device that is not on my network?

No. You need a device that has actually connected to your network at some point. If you only have a guest device, you will need to borrow a device that has connected before, or reset your router and set up a 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.