Where your WiFi password actually lives

Your WiFi password is stored in three places: inside your router itself, in your computer's network settings, and sometimes on a sticker attached to the router. The fastest route depends on what you have access to right now. If you can physically reach your router, the sticker is usually fastest. If you need it from a device that is already connected, your operating system keeps a record you can retrieve in a few clicks.

The password you see on that sticker or in your settings is the one you created when you first set up your network — or the default one that came with your router if you never changed it. Either way, it is the same password every device on your network uses to connect.

Key Takeaways

  • Most routers have the WiFi password printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the device.
  • On Windows, you can retrieve a saved password through Settings > Network > WiFi > Manage Known Networks, then select your network and choose "Manage Password."
  • On Mac, open Keychain Access, search for your network name, double-click it, check "Show password," and enter your computer password when prompted.
  • If you cannot find the password anywhere, you can reset your router to factory settings, though this will erase all your custom settings.

Check the router itself first

Walk to your router — the box that broadcasts your WiFi signal, usually placed near your modem or in a central location in your home. Look at the back, bottom, and sides for a sticker or label. On most routers, this sticker shows the network name (called the SSID) and the password printed right there.

The label might say "WiFi Password," "Network Key," "Passphrase," or just list it next to the network name. Write it down or take a photo. This is the fastest method if your router is accessible and the sticker is still readable.

If the sticker is worn, faded, or missing, move to your computer's settings instead.

Retrieve the password on Windows

On Windows 10 or 11, your computer remembers every WiFi network you have ever connected to, including the password. To see it, open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select it.

Navigate to Network & Internet, then click WiFi in the left menu. Under "Manage your networks," select Manage known networks. Find your network name in the list and click it. A new window opens — click Manage at the top right. Check the box next to "Show," and Windows will display the password in plain text. You will need to enter your Windows login password to confirm.

If you do not see your network in the "Manage known networks" list, your computer has never connected to it, and you will need to check the router or use a Mac or phone that is already connected.

Retrieve the password on Mac

On macOS, passwords are stored in Keychain, a find vault built into your system. Open Keychain Access by clicking the Spotlight icon (magnifying glass in the top right), typing "Keychain Access," and pressing Enter.

In the search box at the top right, type your WiFi network name exactly as it appears. When it shows up in the list, double-click it. A window opens — check the box labeled Show password. Your Mac will ask you to enter your computer login password. Type it and click Allow. The WiFi password now appears in plain text in that same window.

If nothing appears in the search, your Mac has never connected to that network. Try a device that is currently connected, or check the router sticker.

Find the password on your phone or tablet

iPhones and iPads do not display saved WiFi passwords in their settings — Apple does not provide that option. However, if you have an Apple device signed into the same iCloud account as your Mac, you can retrieve the password from the Mac using the Keychain method above.

Android phones also do not show saved passwords in Settings on most versions. If you need the password and cannot access your router or a Windows or Mac computer, you can reset the router to factory defaults (see below), though this erases all your custom settings.

Reset your router if you cannot find the password

If the sticker is gone, you cannot access a connected computer, and you do not remember the password, you can reset your router to its factory settings. This will erase your custom WiFi name and password and return the router to the state it was in when you first bought it.

Locate the small reset button on the back or bottom of your router — it is usually recessed so you cannot press it by accident. Use a paperclip or the tip of a pen to hold it down for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will flash, and the router will restart. This takes a few minutes.

Once it restarts, check the sticker on the router for the default network name and password. You can then reconnect all your devices using that default password, and set up a new custom password through your router's admin panel (usually accessed by typing your router's IP address into a web browser — check the sticker for this address too).

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I see the password even though I'm connected to the network?

Windows and Mac only store passwords for networks you have manually connected to in the past. If someone else set up the network or you connected through a guest account, your current login may not have access to that stored password. Try the Keychain or Settings method on a different user account on the same computer, or check the router sticker.

Is the password the same as my router's admin password?

No. Your WiFi password is what you use to connect devices to the network. Your router's admin password is separate and lets you log into the router's settings to change the WiFi name or password. The admin password is usually on the sticker too, but it is not the same thing.

What if I changed my WiFi password and forgot the new one?

If you changed it yourself, it should still be stored in Windows Settings or Mac Keychain using the method above. If you changed it but cannot retrieve it, your only option is to reset the router to factory settings and start over with the default password.

Can I see other people's WiFi passwords from my computer?

No. Your computer only stores passwords for networks it has personally connected to. You cannot see passwords for your neighbor's network or any network you have never joined, even if you are standing next to the router.