Where your WiFi password actually lives

Your WiFi password is stored in three places: inside your router's settings, in your device's memory (Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android), and possibly in your router's physical documentation. The fastest route depends on whether you remember your router's admin password, whether you still have the device that originally connected, and whether you can physically access the router itself.

Most people find their password fastest by checking the router directly — either by looking at a sticker on the device itself, logging into the router's settings page, or checking the documentation that came with it. If the router is not yours (you are a guest or renter), you will need to ask the person who set it up.

Key Takeaways

  • The WiFi password is usually printed on a sticker attached to the bottom or back of your router, labeled "Network Key", "Passphrase", or "WiFi Password".
  • If you cannot find the sticker, you can log into your router's settings page using your admin username and password to view or reset the WiFi password.
  • Windows and Mac can show you saved WiFi passwords from networks you have already connected to, but only if you have admin access to that device.
  • If you have forgotten both your WiFi password and your router's admin password, resetting the router to factory settings will erase both and require you to set them up again from scratch.

Checking the router itself for the default password

The easiest place to look first is the router itself. Most routers have a sticker on the bottom, back, or side that lists the WiFi network name (SSID) and the WiFi password. The label may say "Network Key", "Passphrase", "WiFi Password", or "Security Key". Write down exactly what you see — passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword".

If there is no sticker, check any paperwork that came with the router when you first got it — the manual, setup card, or invoice may have the default password printed on it. If you bought the router used or inherited it from someone else, this documentation may not be available.

The sticker usually shows two passwords: one for the WiFi network itself, and sometimes a separate one for logging into the router's admin panel. Do not confuse them. The WiFi password is what you type into your phone or laptop to connect to the network. The admin password is what you use to change router settings.

Logging into your router to find or reset the password

If the sticker is missing or unreadable, you can log into the router's settings page directly. Open a web browser on any device connected to that WiFi network and type one of these addresses into the address bar: 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or 10.0.0.1. Most home routers use one of these three.

You will be asked for a username and password. If you have never changed these, try the default combination for your router brand — common defaults are admin/admin, admin/password, or admin/12345. You can find your router's brand name on the device itself, then search online for "[brand name] default login" to find the correct credentials.

Once you are logged in, look for a section called "WiFi Settings", "Wireless", "Network", or "Security". The WiFi password (sometimes called the "Pre-Shared Key" or "PSK") will be displayed there. If you cannot find it or it is hidden with asterisks, you can create a new password right there and save it. Write down the new password before you click save — the router will disconnect all devices when you change it, and they will all need the new password to reconnect.

Finding a saved password on Windows

If you have already connected to the WiFi network on a Windows computer, you can view the saved password through the Settings app. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage Known Networks, find the network name in the list, click it, and select Forget. This will not help you see the password — it will delete it.

Instead, use the Command Prompt method. Press Windows key + R, type cmd, and press Enter. In the black window that opens, type this command exactly: netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetworkName" key=clear (replace "YourNetworkName" with the actual name of your WiFi network). The password will appear next to "Key Content" in the results.

You must have admin access to the Windows account to run this command. If you are on a work computer or a shared device, you may not have permission to see saved passwords.

Finding a saved password on Mac

On a Mac, the WiFi password is stored in the Keychain, which is the system's password manager. Open Keychain Access (search for it in Spotlight by pressing Command + Space, typing "Keychain", and pressing Enter). In the search box at the top right, type the name of your WiFi network.

When the network appears in the list, double-click it. A window will open. Check the box next to Show password. You will be asked to enter your Mac's admin password — type it in and click Allow. The WiFi password will now be visible in the "Password" field.

You must be logged into the Mac with an admin account to see saved passwords. If you are on a shared or managed Mac, you may not have this permission.

Viewing saved passwords on iPhone and Android

iPhones do not display saved WiFi passwords in the Settings app — Apple does not provide a built-in way to view them. If you need the password, your best option is to check the router itself or log into the router's settings page from another device.

Android devices also do not show saved WiFi passwords in the standard Settings menu. However, if your phone is rooted (a technical modification that gives you deeper access to the system), you can view passwords through file manager apps, but this requires technical knowledge and voids some device warranties. For most users, checking the router is simpler.

What to do if you have forgotten the router's admin password

If you cannot find the WiFi password and you also cannot log into the router because you have forgotten the admin password, you have one option: reset the router to factory settings. This will erase all your custom settings, including the WiFi password you set, and return the router to its default state.

To reset most routers, hold down the small reset button (usually recessed into the device) for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will blink and the router will restart. Once it boots back up, you can log in using the default admin credentials (usually printed on the sticker), and you will see the default WiFi password. You can then set a new custom password if you want.

After a factory reset, all devices that were connected to your WiFi will lose the saved password and will need to reconnect using the new one. If other people in your home or office rely on that WiFi, let them know before you reset.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my WiFi password if I am just a guest on someone else's network?

No. Guest devices cannot view the network password, and you should not try to. If you need the password, ask the person who owns the router. If you are trying to reconnect a device, ask them to provide the password again or to add your device as a guest on their network.

What if the password on the router sticker does not work?

The sticker password may have been changed after the router was set up. Try logging into the router's admin panel using the default credentials to see the current password, or reset the router to factory settings to restore the sticker password. If you are renting and the router belongs to your landlord, contact them for the current password.

Is it safe to write down my WiFi password?

Writing it down on paper and keeping it in a find place (like a locked drawer) is safer than using a weak password or reusing the same password across multiple networks. If you are concerned about physical security, store it in a password manager app instead, which encrypts it on your device.

Why does my router have two different passwords?

One password is for connecting to the WiFi network (the one your phone and laptop use). The other is for logging into the router's admin settings (the one you use to change WiFi settings or view the network password). They are separate for security — guests can use the WiFi without being able to change router settings.