Where your WiFi password lives on your device

Your device stores the password for any network you have connected to before. Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android all keep this information in different places, but all of them let you view it without calling your internet provider or resetting your router. The fastest route depends on what device you are using right now.

If you are trying to connect a new device to your network, you do not need to find the original password — you can generate a new one directly from your router's settings page. But if you need the actual password you set up, or if you cannot access the router, your connected device is the place to look.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows stores WiFi passwords in Settings under Network and Internet, or you can right-click the network name in the system tray and select "Manage known networks".
  • Mac users can open Keychain Access, search for the network name, and check the "Show password" box after entering their Mac login password.
  • iPhone and iPad do not display saved passwords directly, but you can share the network to another Apple device or reset the network settings and reconnect to see it during setup.
  • Android devices vary by manufacturer, but most let you view the password in Settings under WiFi, then tap the network name and select "Share" or "Show password".
  • If you cannot find the password on any device, you can reset your router to factory settings and set up a new network and password from scratch.

Finding your password on Windows 10 and 11

Open Settings and go to Network and Internet, then select WiFi. Scroll down and click "Manage known networks". Find the network name you are looking for and click it, then select "Forget". Reconnect to that network — Windows will prompt you to enter the password again, and you will see it as you type if you click the eye icon.

If you do not want to forget and reconnect, there is a faster way. Right-click the WiFi icon in your system tray (bottom right corner), select "Show available networks", find your network, and click "Network settings". Scroll to "Related settings" and click "Change adapter options". Right-click your WiFi adapter, select "Status", then "WiFi Properties". Click the "Security" tab, check "Show characters", and your password appears in the "Network security key" field.

The second method works only if you are currently connected to that network. If you have already forgotten it, use the first method.

Finding your password on Mac

Open Keychain Access 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 it appears in the list, double-click it. A window opens showing the network details. Check the box next to "Show password" at the bottom. Your Mac will ask you to enter your Mac login password. Type it in and click "Allow". Your WiFi password now appears in the "Show password" field.

Keychain Access stores passwords for everything you have connected to on your Mac, so if you have used this network before on this computer, it will be there. If the network does not appear, your Mac has not saved it yet.

Finding your password on iPhone and iPad

Apple does not let you view a saved WiFi password directly on iPhone or iPad the way Windows and Mac do. Instead, you have three options.

The easiest is to share the network with another Apple device. If you have a Mac, iPad, or another iPhone nearby, go to Settings on your iPhone, select WiFi, tap the network name, and tap "Share". The other device will receive a notification and can join the network without you typing anything. This does not show you the password, but it solves the problem of connecting another device.

If you need to see the actual password, reset your network settings. Go to Settings, select General, tap Transfer or Reset, then "Reset", and choose "Reset Network Settings". Your iPhone will forget all saved networks. When you reconnect to your WiFi, you will be prompted to enter the password. As you type, tap the eye icon to see each character. Write it down as you go.

Finding your password on Android

Android varies by manufacturer, but most devices work the same way. Open Settings and go to WiFi or Network and Internet. Find your connected network in the list, long-press it (or tap the gear icon next to it), and select "Share" or "Show password". Your phone may ask for your PIN, pattern, or fingerprint. After you provide it, the password appears on screen.

Some older Android phones or certain manufacturers like Samsung may label this differently — look for "View password" or "Password" in the network details menu. If you see a QR code instead, that is a shareable version of your network settings that another device can scan to connect without typing the password.

If your phone does not show the password anywhere, you have already forgotten the network. Go to Settings, find the network in your saved networks list, and select "Forget". Then reconnect and enter the password fresh, watching the eye icon to see what you type.

Resetting your router if you cannot find the password anywhere

If none of your devices have the password saved, or if you cannot access any of them, you can reset your router to factory settings. Look for a small recessed button on the back or bottom of your router, usually labeled "Reset". Use a paperclip or pen to press and hold it for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will blink and the router will restart.

After the reset, your router will be back to its default settings. You will need to set up a new network name and password from scratch. Connect to the router's default network (usually printed on a sticker on the device), open a web browser, and go to the router's setup page — typically 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. Log in with the default username and password (also on the sticker), then create your new network and password.

Warning: resetting your router will disconnect all devices currently using it, and you will have to reconnect everything afterward. Only do this if you truly cannot find the password any other way.

What to do if you share your network with others

If other people use your WiFi, they may have the password saved on their devices. You can ask them to check their phone or computer using the steps above. This is often faster than digging through your own devices, especially if you have not connected from a computer in months.

If you want to change your password for security reasons, you can do that from your router's settings page without resetting the whole device. Log in to your router (usually at 192.168.1.1), find the WiFi or Wireless settings, and change the password there. All devices will disconnect and you will have to reconnect them with the new password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my WiFi password if I have never connected to it?

No. Your device only stores passwords for networks it has already joined. If you have never connected to a network, your device has no record of its password. You would need to check the router itself or contact whoever set it up.

Why does my phone show a QR code instead of the password?

Some Android phones display the network as a QR code for straightforward sharing. You can take a screenshot of the QR code and another device can scan it to connect. If you need the actual text password, look for a "Show password" option in the same menu, or try long-pressing the network name instead of tapping it.

What if I forgot my Mac login password and cannot unlock Keychain Access?

You will need to reset your Mac login password first. Restart your Mac, hold Command + Q during startup to open the login screen, then click the question mark icon to reset your password. After that, you can use Keychain Access normally.

Does resetting my router erase my internet history or files?

No. Resetting the router only affects the router itself and your WiFi network settings. It does not touch your computer, phone, or any files on them. It will disconnect all devices from WiFi, but once you reconnect them, everything on your devices remains the same.

Can I view my WiFi password from my internet provider's website?

Some providers let you view or reset your network password through your account online, but most do not. Your password is stored on the router, not on the provider's servers. Checking your provider's website is worth trying, but the methods above using your connected devices are usually faster.