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

Your WiFi password lives in one of three places: on the router itself (usually a sticker on the back), in your router's settings page (accessed through a web browser), or in your device's stored network settings. The fastest route is the router sticker — most home routers ship with the password printed there. If that sticker is missing or unreadable, you can retrieve the password from the router's admin panel or pull it from any device already connected to that network.

The method you choose depends on whether you still have access to the router, whether you remember the router's admin password, and which device you're trying to connect. Each path takes about five to ten minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • Check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router first — the WiFi password is usually printed there next to "Network Name" or "SSID".
  • If the sticker is missing, log into your router through a web browser by typing its IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) and entering the admin username and password.
  • On Windows, you can view a saved WiFi password by opening Settings, going to Network & Internet, selecting your network, and clicking "Manage known networks".
  • On Mac, open Keychain Access, search for your network name, double-click it, check "Show password", and enter your Mac login password.
  • On iPhone or Android, you cannot view saved passwords directly, but you can share the network with another device or reset the router to factory settings as a last resort.

Check the router sticker first

Walk to your router — the device that broadcasts WiFi, usually a box with antennas sitting on a shelf or mounted on a wall. Look at the back or bottom for a sticker with network information printed on it. The sticker will show a "Network Name" or "SSID" (the name of your WiFi network) and a "Network Key" or "Password" next to it.

This password is case-sensitive, meaning capital and lowercase letters matter. Type it exactly as it appears on the sticker, including any numbers or special characters. If the sticker is faded, scratched, or missing, move to the next method.

Log into your router's settings page

Open a web browser on any device connected to your WiFi or plugged into the router with an ethernet cable. In the address bar, type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 and press Enter. A login page will appear asking for a username and password.

If you have never changed these credentials, try the default combination for your router brand — common defaults are admin/admin, admin/password, or the brand name and password. If you changed the admin password and no longer remember it, you will need to reset the router to factory settings by holding the reset button (usually a small recessed button on the back) for 10 to 15 seconds. This erases all your settings, so use this only as a last resort.

Once logged in, look for a section labeled "Wireless", "WiFi", "Network", or "Security". The password will be listed as "Passphrase", "Pre-Shared Key", or "Network Key". Write it down or take a screenshot before you leave this page.

Find a saved WiFi password on Windows

Click the Start button and type Settings, then open the Settings app. Go to Network & Internet on the left side, then click WiFi. Scroll down and click Manage known networks.

Find your network name in the list and click it. Click Forget, then go back and reconnect to the network — Windows will prompt you to enter the password again, and this time you can see it as you type by clicking the eye icon. Alternatively, if you do not want to forget the network, open Command Prompt as administrator, type netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetworkName" key=clear (replacing "YourNetworkName" with your actual network name), and press Enter. The password will appear next to "Key Content".

Find a saved WiFi password on Mac

Open Spotlight Search by pressing Command + Space, type Keychain Access, and press Enter. In the search box at the top right, type your network name. When your network appears in the list, double-click it.

A window will open showing network details. Check the box next to Show password at the bottom. Your Mac will ask you to enter your login password — type it and click Allow. The WiFi password will now be visible in the "Password" field.

Retrieve a password from iPhone or Android

iPhones and Android phones do not have a built-in way to view saved WiFi passwords directly. However, you can share your network with another device without revealing the password. On iPhone, go to Settings > WiFi, tap the network name, and tap Share This Network. A QR code will appear that another iPhone or Android device can scan to connect automatically.

If you need the actual password and have no other option, you can reset the router to factory settings (which erases all your settings) or contact your internet service provider to confirm the password. Some routers also have a mobile app — check your router's brand website to see if an app exists that lets you view network settings from your phone.

What to do if you cannot find the password anywhere

If the sticker is gone, you cannot log into the router, and no connected device will show you the password, your only option is to reset the router to factory settings. Locate the small reset button (usually recessed so you need a paperclip or pen to press it) on the back of the router. Hold it for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will flash and the router will restart.

After the reset, the router will return to its factory default settings. Log in with the default admin credentials (usually admin/admin or printed on the router), set up your network name and password from scratch, and reconnect all your devices. This process takes about 15 to 20 minutes total.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my WiFi password if I'm not connected to the network?

No, you cannot view a saved password from a device that is not connected to that network. You need to either be connected to the WiFi, plugged into the router with an ethernet cable, or use another device that is already connected. The router's settings page is your best option if you have a wired connection available.

What if my router doesn't have a sticker with the password?

Log into the router's settings page through a web browser. If you do not remember the admin password, reset the router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds. After the reset, log in with the default credentials and look for your network password in the wireless or WiFi settings section.

Is the password on the sticker the same as the admin password?

No. The password on the sticker is your WiFi network password — what you use to connect devices to the internet. The admin password is separate and controls access to the router's settings page. They are two different passwords.

Why can't I see the password when I type it into WiFi settings?

Most devices hide passwords as you type them for security. Look for an eye icon next to the password field — clicking it will show the characters you typed. On some devices, this icon appears only while you are actively typing.

Can I change my WiFi password without losing internet?

Yes. Log into your router's settings page, find the wireless or WiFi section, and change the password there. Your currently connected devices will stay online during the change, but they will disconnect once the new password takes effect. You will need to reconnect them using the new password.