Where your WiFi password lives on your devices
Your WiFi password is stored in your device's network settings, not written down anywhere else by default. Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android all keep this information in encrypted form so you can reconnect automatically — but you can retrieve it when you need it. The steps differ by device type, and some routes are faster than others.
If you have forgotten the password to your own network, the quickest path is usually your router itself. If you need to find a password for someone else's network (with their permission), you will need access to a device that is already connected to that network.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows 11, open Settings > Network > WiFi > Manage Known Networks, select your network, and click Properties to see the password in plain text.
- On Mac, open Keychain Access from Applications > Utilities, search for your network name, double-click it, check "Show password", and enter your Mac login password.
- On iPhone and Android, you cannot view a saved WiFi password through settings alone — you need a connected device running Windows or Mac, or access to your router's admin panel.
- Your router's default password is printed on a sticker on the device itself; if you changed it and forgot it, you will need to factory reset the router.
- Never share your WiFi password over text, email, or messaging apps — use a password manager or tell people in person.
Finding your password on Windows 11
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then select it. Go to Network and Internet, then WiFi. Click "Manage Known Networks" and find the network name (SSID) you are looking for. Click on it, then click Properties.
Scroll down to the Security section. You will see "Security type" and "Encryption type" listed. Below that is a field labeled "Network security key". Click the eye icon next to it to reveal your password in plain text. You will need to be logged into your Windows account to see this.
If you do not see the eye icon, your account may not have permission to view network passwords. Ask the person who set up the computer to retrieve it for you, or use the router method instead.
Finding your password on Mac
Open Finder and go to Applications > Utilities. Double-click Keychain Access. In the search box at the top right, type the name of your WiFi network exactly as it appears in your WiFi menu.
When the network appears in the list, double-click it. A window will open showing network details. Check the box next to "Show password" near the bottom. Your Mac will ask you to enter your login password — this is your Mac user password, not your WiFi password. Type it and click Allow.
Your WiFi password will now appear in plain text in that same window. If Keychain Access does not find your network, the password may not be stored in your keychain — try the router method instead.
Finding your password on iPhone or Android
iPhones and iPads do not display saved WiFi passwords in Settings. If you need to see the password, you have two options: use a Mac or Windows computer that is connected to the same network, or access your router's admin panel through a web browser.
Android phones running version 10 or later can show WiFi passwords if you have a PIN, pattern, or biometric lock set up. Go to Settings > System > Advanced > Reset Options > Reset WiFi, Mobile & Bluetooth. This will show all saved networks and their passwords. On older Android versions, you will need to use the router method.
If neither of these works, your router's admin panel is the most reliable route for any device.
Accessing your password through your router
Your router has an admin panel where you can see or change your WiFi password. Open a web browser on any device connected to your network and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar. Press Enter.
You will be asked to log in. The default username is usually "admin" and the default password is printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of your router. Look for a label that says "Default Password" or "WiFi Password" — it may be a string of letters and numbers, or it may say "admin" or "password".
Once you are logged in, look for a section called Wireless, WiFi, or Network Settings. Your current WiFi password (called the "Pre-Shared Key" or "PSK") will be displayed there. If you changed the password and forgot it, you can reset the router to factory defaults by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds — this will erase all your settings and return the password to the one on the sticker.
Keeping your password find after you find it
Once you have your password, do not store it in a text file on your desktop or in an email draft. Use a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or KeePass instead. These programs encrypt your passwords and sync them across your devices.
When you need to share your WiFi password with a guest, tell them in person or use your router's guest network feature instead. Most routers let you create a separate temporary network with its own password that expires or can be turned off easily. This keeps your main network password private.
If you suspect someone has your password without permission, change it through your router's admin panel. Go back to the Wireless or WiFi Settings section, find the password field, type a new one, and save. All devices will disconnect and will need the new password to reconnect.
What to do if you cannot find your password anywhere
If you have tried all the methods above and still cannot retrieve your password, factory resetting your router is the only remaining option. This erases all your settings — your network name, password, port forwarding rules, and any other customizations — and returns everything to the manufacturer defaults.
Hold the small reset button on the back of your router for 10 to 15 seconds until the lights blink or the router restarts. Wait two to three minutes for it to fully boot up. Your WiFi network name and password will revert to the defaults printed on the sticker. You can then log into the admin panel and change them to something new.
After a factory reset, you will need to reconnect all your devices to the network using the new password, and you may need to reconfigure any special settings your internet provider required (like bridge mode or specific DNS servers). If you are unsure what those settings were, contact your internet provider for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my WiFi password if I am not connected to the network?
No. On Windows and Mac, you can only view passwords for networks you have previously connected to and are still stored on that device. On iPhone and Android, you cannot view saved passwords through settings at all. Your only option is to access the router's admin panel from any internet-connected device.
What if I do not know my router's admin password?
The default admin password is on the sticker attached to your router. If you changed it and forgot it, you will need to factory reset the router by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds. This will erase all your settings and return the admin password to the default.
Is it safe to write down my WiFi password?
Writing it down on paper and storing it in a find place is safer than keeping it in an email or text file on your computer. A password manager is the best option because it encrypts the password and protects it behind your master password. Never share your WiFi password over text or email.
Why does my device keep asking for the password even though I saved it?
Your device may have forgotten the network, or the saved password may be corrupted. Go to your WiFi settings, "forget" the network, and reconnect by selecting it again and entering the password manually. If the problem continues, restart your device and try again.
Can I change my WiFi password without resetting the router?
Yes. Log into your router's admin panel at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, find the Wireless or WiFi Settings section, locate the password field, type your new password, and save. Your devices will disconnect and will need the new password to reconnect.