Where your WiFi password lives

Your WiFi password is stored on the device you used to set up the network — usually your router, computer, or phone. The password itself never leaves your home network, so you cannot retrieve it from your internet provider or the router's manufacturer. Instead, you pull it from whichever device has it saved.

The fastest route depends on what device you have handy. If you have the computer or phone that originally connected to the network, you can see the password in seconds. If not, you can reset the router to its factory password and set up a new one. Both paths take less than five minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows computers store your WiFi password in Settings under Network and can show it to you in plain text without restarting anything.
  • Mac computers keep the password in Keychain, which you access through System Settings, and you may need to enter your Mac password to view it.
  • iPhones and iPads can share the password directly to another Apple device without showing you the actual characters, or you can view it in Settings if you know your Apple ID password.
  • Android phones store the password in Settings under WiFi, though the exact path varies by manufacturer and Android version.
  • If you cannot find the password on any device, you can reset the router to factory settings and create a new password from scratch.

Finding your password on a Windows computer

Open Settings and go to Network & Internet, then select WiFi from the left menu. Click Manage known networks, then find your network name in the list and click it. Select Forget, then go back and reconnect to the network — Windows will ask you to enter the password, and you can type it in or paste it from somewhere you have it written down.

If you already have the network saved and want to see the password without forgetting it, use the Command Prompt instead. Right-click the Start menu, select Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin), and type this exactly: netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetworkName" key=clear — replace "YourNetworkName" with your actual network name. The password appears next to Key Content in the results.

If the Command Prompt method shows "Interface not found", your computer is not currently connected to WiFi or the network name has a special character that needs different formatting. The forget-and-reconnect method works regardless.

Finding your password on a Mac

Open System Settings and go to WiFi. Click the information icon (i) next to your network name, then select the Security tab. Check the box next to Show password — your Mac will ask for your Mac user password, and once you enter it, the WiFi password appears in plain text.

Alternatively, you can find it in Keychain, which is where your Mac stores all saved passwords. Open Keychain Access (search for it in Spotlight), search for your network name, double-click the result, check Show password, enter your Mac password when prompted, and the WiFi password displays.

Finding your password on an iPhone or iPad

iPhones and iPads do not show you the actual password characters in Settings. Instead, if you have another Apple device (another iPhone, iPad, or Mac) signed into the same Apple ID, you can share the password directly — the other device will receive a notification asking to share the WiFi password, and tapping yes connects it without displaying the characters.

If you need to see the actual password on your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Passwords (or Passwords & Security on older versions), tap WiFi Passwords, find your network, and tap it. You will need to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password. The password then appears on screen.

This method only works if you originally set up the network on this iPhone or iPad. If someone else set it up, you will not see it in Passwords.

Finding your password on an Android phone

The path varies by phone manufacturer and Android version. On most phones, go to Settings > WiFi (or Network & Internet > WiFi), long-press your network name, and tap Manage or Edit. A QR code appears — tap Show password to see the actual characters instead.

On Samsung phones, the steps are the same but the menu may be labeled Network settings or Advanced. On Google Pixel phones, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Internet, tap your network, then Manage, and the password appears under Password.

If you cannot find the password in Settings, your phone may not have permission to display it — this happens if someone else set up the network. In that case, you will need to ask them for the password or reset the router.

Resetting the router if you cannot find the password anywhere

If no device in your home has the password saved, or you cannot access any of them, you can reset the router to its factory settings. This erases your current password and network name, so you will set up a new one from scratch.

Locate the small reset button on the back or bottom of the router — it is usually recessed so you cannot press it by accident. Use a paperclip or the tip of a pen to hold it down for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will flash and the router will restart. Once it boots back up, the network name and password return to the factory defaults, which are printed on a sticker on the router itself.

After you log in with the factory password, go into the router's settings (usually by typing the router's IP address into a browser — check the sticker for this too) and create a new network name and password. This takes about five minutes and only needs to happen once.

What to do if you see a QR code instead of the password

Some phones and routers display a QR code when you try to view the password. This is a security feature that lets you share the network with another device by scanning the code instead of typing the password. To see the actual characters, look for a Show password button or toggle near the QR code and tap it.

If there is no button to show the password, your device may not have permission to display it. Try a different device that originally connected to the network, or reset the router and create a new password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my WiFi password if someone else set up the network?

Not through Settings on most devices — the password is tied to whoever set it up. Your best option is to ask that person for the password, or reset the router to factory settings and create a new one. Resetting the router disconnects everyone temporarily, so give people a heads-up first.

What if I forgot my Apple ID password and cannot view my WiFi password on iPhone?

You can reset your Apple ID password through Settings or iCloud.com, but that takes time. Faster: ask someone with another Apple device on the same WiFi to share the password with you, or reset the router and create a new password.

Does the router password work the same as the WiFi password?

No. The WiFi password is what you type to connect to the network. The router password is what you type to log into the router's settings page to change things like the network name or security. They are separate, and you only need the WiFi password to connect devices.

Will resetting the router delete my internet connection?

No. Resetting the router erases the network name and password you created, but it does not affect your internet service. Once the router restarts, you reconnect with the factory password, then create a new one. Your internet provider's connection stays active the whole time.

Why does my phone show the password as dots or asterisks?

That is a security feature to prevent someone looking over your shoulder from seeing it. Tap Show password to display the actual characters. If there is no show button, your phone may not have permission to display it.