Check your router's sticker or manual first
The fastest way to find your WiFi password is to look at the router itself. Most routers have a sticker on the bottom or back that shows the default network name (SSID) and password. This label is usually printed during manufacturing and may still be the password you use today — especially if you have never changed it.
If you have changed the password since setup, the sticker will show the original one, not your current one. If the sticker is missing or faded, check any paperwork that came with your router or your internet bill, which sometimes includes setup information.
Key Takeaways
- Your router's physical sticker shows the default password, which may still be active if you have never changed it.
- Windows computers can display your saved WiFi password through Settings or Command Prompt without needing the router.
- Mac computers store WiFi passwords in Keychain, accessible through System Settings or the Keychain Access app.
- iPhones and Android phones do not display saved passwords directly, but you can reset your router to factory settings as a last resort.
- If you cannot find the password anywhere, resetting your router to factory defaults will restore the original password on the sticker.
Find your password on Windows using Settings
If you are already connected to your WiFi on a Windows computer, you can view the saved password without touching the router. Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then WiFi. Select Manage Known Networks and click the network name you want. Choose the Security tab and toggle "Show" next to the password field.
Windows will ask you to confirm your user account password before displaying the WiFi password. This method works on Windows 10 and Windows 11 and only shows passwords for networks your computer has already connected to.
Retrieve your password on Windows using Command Prompt
For a faster method, open Command Prompt as administrator and type: netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetworkName" key=clear, replacing "YourNetworkName" with your actual network name. The password appears in the output as "Key Content".
This command works only for networks your computer has previously connected to. If you do not know your exact network name, type netsh wlan show profile first to see a list of all saved networks on your computer.
Find your password on Mac through System Settings
On a Mac, open System Settings, click WiFi in the sidebar, then select Details next to your connected network. Click the Security tab and check the "Show password" box. Your Mac will prompt you to enter your user account password before revealing the WiFi password.
This method works on macOS Ventura and newer. On older versions of macOS, the WiFi settings may be in System Preferences instead of System Settings, but the steps are the same.
Access your password through Mac Keychain
Keychain is Mac's password storage system. Open Keychain Access (search for it in Spotlight), find your network name in the list, double-click it, and check "Show password". Again, your Mac will ask for your user account password to confirm.
Keychain stores passwords for all networks your Mac has ever connected to, so you may see networks you no longer use. This method works on all recent macOS versions and is useful if System Settings does not show the password for some reason.
What to do on iPhone and Android phones
iPhones and Android phones do not have a built-in way to display saved WiFi passwords. If you need the password on your phone, your best option is to use a computer connected to the same network to retrieve it, then manually enter it on your phone.
Some Android phones allow you to share your WiFi password by opening Settings, going to WiFi, selecting your network, and tapping Share. This generates a QR code that another device can scan to connect without typing the password. iPhones have a similar feature: go to Settings, WiFi, select your network, and tap the Share Password button to send it to another Apple device nearby.
Reset your router if you cannot find the password anywhere
If you have checked the sticker, your computer, and your paperwork and still cannot find the password, you can reset your router to factory settings. This restores the original password shown on the router's sticker and erases any custom settings you have made.
To reset, locate the small reset button on the back or bottom of your router (usually recessed so you need a paperclip to press it). Hold it for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will flash and the router will restart. Once it boots up, use the default password from the sticker. You will then need to reconnect all your devices and reconfigure any custom settings like network name or security type.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my WiFi password if I am not connected to the network?
Not through your computer or phone. You would need to access the router itself through a web browser by typing its IP address (usually 192.168.1.1) and logging in with the admin username and password. If you do not know the admin credentials, resetting the router is simpler.
What if the password on the sticker does not work?
Someone has changed the password since the router was set up. Use a computer already connected to the network to retrieve the current password through Settings or Command Prompt, or reset the router to restore the original password.
Will resetting my router affect my internet service?
Resetting erases your custom settings but does not affect your internet connection itself. Your internet service will continue working. You will just need to reconnect your devices and may need to reconfigure features like parental controls or port forwarding if you set those up.
Can I change my WiFi password to something easier to remember?
Yes. Log into your router's admin panel (usually at 192.168.1.1), find the WiFi or Security settings, and change the password there. You will need the admin username and password, which are often "admin" and "admin" or "admin" and the password on the sticker, depending on your router model.