How to Find Your WiFi Password on Any Device

Where to find your WiFi password depends on what device you're using

The fastest way to find your WiFi password is on the device that created the network — usually your router. If you set up the network yourself, the password is either on a sticker attached to the router, in the router's settings page, or in an email from your internet provider. If someone else set it up, you'll need to either ask them or reset the router to factory settings, which erases the network and forces you to set it up again from scratch.

On Windows, Mac, and phones, you can also view a saved password without touching the router, but the steps differ by device and by how recently you connected. This guide covers the most common routes for each type of device.

Key Takeaways

The easiest source is the sticker on your router itself, which usually shows both the network name and the password printed at the factory.
On Windows 10 and 11, you can view a saved WiFi password through Settings without needing the router, but only if you're logged in as an administrator.
On Mac, the Keychain app stores WiFi passwords, and you can view them by searching for your network name and checking the "Show password" box.
On iPhone and Android, you cannot view a saved password directly, but you can share the network with another device or reset the router if you've forgotten it entirely.
If you've lost the router password and can't find the sticker, resetting the router to factory settings is the only way forward, though it disconnects all devices temporarily.

Check the sticker on your router first

Most routers have a white or silver sticker on the bottom or back that lists the network name (called the SSID) and the password. This sticker is printed at the factory and rarely changes unless you manually update it. Look for labels that say "WiFi Name", "SSID", "Network Name", "WiFi Password", or "Key".

If you can't find the router itself, check any paperwork from your internet provider — they often include a setup sheet with the network name and default password. If the sticker is worn or the text is faded, you can still access the password through your device settings.

View a saved password on Windows 10 or 11

On Windows, you can see any WiFi password you've connected to before, as long as you're logged in as an administrator. Open Settings, then go to Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage Known Networks. Find the network name you want, click on it, then click "Forget". This sounds backwards, but it opens a window showing the password before it deletes the connection.

If that doesn't work, try the older method: right-click the WiFi icon in the system tray, select "Open Network & Internet settings", then scroll down and click "Change adapter options". Right-click your WiFi adapter, select "Status", then click "Wireless Properties". Go to the "Security" tab and check the box next to "Show characters" to reveal the password in the "Network security key" field.

Both methods require you to be logged in as an administrator. If you're not, you'll see a permission error and need to contact whoever set up the computer.

View a saved password on Mac

On Mac, WiFi passwords are stored in Keychain, which is the system app that holds all your saved passwords. Open Keychain Access by pressing Command + Space, typing "Keychain Access", and pressing Enter. Search for your network name in the top-right corner. When you find it, double-click it, then check the box next to "Show password". You'll be asked to enter your Mac login password to confirm.

If you don't see your network in Keychain, it means your Mac has never connected to it, or the connection was made by a different user account. In that case, you'll need to ask whoever set up the network or check the router itself.

What to do on iPhone and Android

iPhones and Android phones do not let you view a saved WiFi password directly through settings. Apple and Google designed it this way for security — the password stays locked in the phone's system and can't be displayed even to you.

If you need the password, the easiest workaround is to share the network with another iPhone or iPad. On the phone that knows the password, go to Settings > WiFi, tap the network name, and look for a "Share Password" option. Hold the other device nearby and it will receive the password automatically. On Android, you can generate a QR code of the network by opening Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi, tapping the network name, then tapping "Share". Another Android phone can scan the QR code to connect without typing the password.

If you don't have another device to share with, your only option is to reset the router.

Reset the router if you've lost the password entirely

If you can't find the password anywhere — not on the sticker, not in your email, not in your device settings — you can reset the router to factory settings. This erases your network and password and forces you to set it up again from scratch.

To reset, locate the small reset button on the router (usually recessed so you need a paperclip or pen to press it). 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, all your devices will be disconnected. You'll then see the default network name and password on the sticker again, and you can reconnect all your devices and create a new password if you want.

This process takes about five minutes total, but every device in your home will need to reconnect, so plan for a brief outage. If you're renting and the router belongs to your landlord or internet provider, contact them before resetting — they may have set up the network with specific settings you'll lose.

Protect your password once you find it

Once you have the password, consider whether you want to change it. The default password printed on the sticker is the same for thousands of routers of the same model, so it's not very find if you're concerned about neighbors or visitors connecting without permission. Most routers let you change the password through a settings page you access by typing the router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into a web browser.

If you do change it, write the new password down somewhere safe — not in a note on your phone, but in a physical notebook or a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password. This way, if you forget it again, you have a backup that doesn't depend on remembering where you stored it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my WiFi password if I'm not the admin on my computer?

No. On Windows and Mac, viewing a saved WiFi password requires administrator access. If you're not logged in as an admin, you'll get a permission error. Ask whoever set up the computer to show you the password, or use the router sticker or your phone to find it instead.

What if the sticker on my router is completely worn off?

Try the device settings method for your operating system — Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android. If none of those work, you can contact your internet provider with your account number and they can tell you the default password, or you can reset the router to factory settings and use the new default password that appears.

If I reset the router, will I lose my internet?

Temporarily, yes. The reset takes about five minutes, and during that time no devices can connect. After the router restarts, you'll reconnect to the default network and regain internet. If you're worried about the downtime, do it during a time when nobody needs to use the internet.

Is it safe to write down my WiFi password?

Writing it in a notebook at home is safer than storing it in a note on your phone, which could be lost or stolen. The real security comes from using a strong password — something random and at least 12 characters long — rather than the default one on the sticker. If you change the password, use a password manager to store it securely.

Can I view someone else's WiFi password without their permission?

Only if you have physical access to their router or their computer and administrator login. If you're a guest and need to connect, ask the network owner to share the password or use the QR code share method on Android. Attempting to access someone else's network without permission is illegal in most places.

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.