Where your WiFi password actually lives

Your WiFi password is stored in three places: on your router itself (usually a sticker on the back or bottom), in your device's network settings, and possibly in your router's admin panel if you set up a custom password. The fastest route depends on what you need it for — if you just need to connect a new device, the router sticker is usually enough. If you've forgotten the password entirely and the sticker is gone, you can recover it from a device that's already connected.

The password you're looking for is called the WiFi password, network key, or pre-shared key (PSK) depending on which screen you're reading. It's different from your router's admin password (which you use to log into the router's settings). You need the WiFi password to connect new devices; you need the admin password only if you want to change your network name or security settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router first — most routers ship with a default password printed there.
  • On Windows, you can view a saved password by opening Settings, going to Network & Internet, selecting your network, and choosing "Manage known networks."
  • On Mac, open Keychain Access from Applications > Utilities, search for your network name, and double-click to reveal the password.
  • On iPhone or Android, you can share the password to a new device without seeing it yourself, which is often faster than looking it up.
  • If you've changed the password and forgotten it, you'll need to reset the router to factory settings, which erases all your custom settings.

Finding the password on the router itself

Most routers come with a default WiFi password printed on a sticker attached to the device. Look on the back, bottom, or inside the battery compartment. The sticker usually shows the network name (SSID) and the password side by side. If the sticker is faded or missing, you can try the router's default credentials — common defaults are "admin" for both username and password, though this varies by manufacturer.

If you've never changed the password since you set up the router, this default password is still active. If you changed it at some point and forgot it, you'll need to use one of the recovery methods below or reset the router entirely.

Viewing a saved password on Windows

If your Windows computer is already connected to the network, you can view the password without resetting anything. Open Settings and go to Network & Internet. Click WiFi on the left, then scroll down and select Manage known networks. Find your network name in the list and click it. Select Forget, then reconnect to the network — Windows will ask you to enter the password again, and you'll see it as you type if you uncheck the "Hide characters" box.

Alternatively, you can view the password without forgetting 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 appears next to "Key Content" in the output. This method works on Windows 10 and 11.

Viewing a saved password on Mac

On Mac, open Keychain Access by going to Applications > Utilities > Keychain Access. In the search box at the top right, type your network name. When it appears in the list, double-click it. A window opens showing the network details. Check the box next to Show password — you'll be asked to enter your Mac login password to confirm. Once you do, the WiFi password appears in plain text.

If you don't see your network in Keychain Access, make sure you're searching in the "Passwords" category (not "All Items"). If it still doesn't appear, the network may not be saved on this Mac, and you'll need to check another device or the router itself.

Finding the password on iPhone or iPad

iOS doesn't show you saved WiFi passwords in the traditional sense, but you can share the password to another Apple device without viewing it yourself. On the device that's already connected, go to Settings > WiFi, tap the network name, and tap Share Password. Hold the new device nearby — it will receive the password automatically and connect without you typing anything. This is often the fastest method if you have two Apple devices.

If you need to see the password on an iPhone, you'll have to check it on a Mac or Windows computer instead, since iOS doesn't provide a way to display saved passwords. Some third-party apps claim to show WiFi passwords, but they cannot access this information — iOS keeps WiFi passwords in a protected area that apps cannot read.

Finding the password on Android

Android's method varies by manufacturer and Android version. On most recent Android phones, go to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi, tap your network name, and look for a Share or QR code option. Tap it to generate a QR code that another device can scan to connect — you don't see the password, but the other device gets it automatically.

If you need to see the password itself, some Android phones let you view it by tapping the network name and selecting Advanced or Details, but this depends on your phone's manufacturer and Android version. If it's not there, your best option is to check the password on a Windows or Mac computer, or to reset the router and set a new password you'll remember.

Resetting the router if you've forgotten the password entirely

If the sticker is gone, no connected device is available, and you can't access the router's admin panel, you can reset the router to factory settings. This erases all your custom settings, including your WiFi password, and restores the default password printed on the sticker. Locate the small reset button (usually recessed, requiring a paperclip or pin to press). Hold it for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will blink and the router will restart — this takes a few minutes.

After the reset, connect using the default network name and password from the sticker. Once you're connected, log into the router's admin panel (usually by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a browser) and set a new custom password. Write this password down or store it somewhere safe — consider a password manager if you use many passwords.

Accessing the router's admin panel to change or view settings

If you know your router's admin password, you can log into the admin panel to view or change the WiFi password. Open a web browser and type your router's IP address — usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, though this varies by brand. Log in with the admin username and password (often "admin" and "admin" by default, but check your router's documentation). Look for a section labeled WiFi Settings, Wireless, or Network. The password is usually called the "Pre-shared Key" or "Passphrase."

If you've forgotten the admin password and can't reset it, you'll need to reset the entire router as described above. Keep your admin password separate from your WiFi password — write both down or store them in a password manager so you don't lose access to your own settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. The sticker shows the WiFi password (what you use to connect devices to the network). The admin password is separate and is used to log into the router's settings. Most routers have a default admin password of "admin," but check your router's manual to be sure.

Can I see a saved WiFi password on my phone without resetting anything?

On iPhone, no — iOS doesn't show saved passwords. On Android, it depends on your phone's manufacturer, but most recent phones let you share the password via QR code without displaying it. To see the actual password, check a connected Windows or Mac computer instead.

What happens if I reset the router?

Resetting erases all custom settings — your WiFi password, network name, and any port forwarding or security rules you've set up. The router returns to factory defaults, and you'll need to set everything up again. This is a last resort if you've forgotten the password and have no other way to recover it.

Can I recover a password if I've never written it down and no device is connected?

Only if you can access the router's admin panel (which requires the admin password) or if you reset the router to factory settings. If you don't know the admin password either, a factory reset is your only option. After that, you can set a new password and keep it somewhere safe.