Where your WiFi password actually lives

Your WiFi password is stored on the device you used to connect to the network — not on the router itself, and not in some cloud account. Windows saves it in a system folder. Mac stores it in Keychain. Your phone keeps it in its network settings. If you need the password back, you pull it from whichever device remembers it.

The fastest route depends on what device you have and whether you still have access to one that's already connected. If you're locked out of the network entirely, you'll need to reset the router itself, which is a different process covered at the end.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Command Prompt as administrator and run a command that displays all saved WiFi passwords in plain text.
  • On Mac, open Keychain Access, search for your network name, and view the password in a checkbox that reveals it.
  • On iPhone or Android, you can share the password to another device without ever seeing it yourself, or view it in settings if you remember your phone's unlock code.
  • If no device is connected, you must reset the router to factory settings using the physical reset button, which erases all your settings.

Finding the password on Windows

Open Command Prompt as administrator. Right-click the Start menu, select "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)". If you see a User Account Control prompt, click Yes.

Type this command exactly: netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetworkName" key=clear — but replace "YourNetworkName" with your actual WiFi network name. Press Enter. Scroll down in the window until you see "Key Content". The password appears right next to it in plain text.

If you don't remember your network name, type netsh wlan show profile first (without the name part). This shows every network your computer has ever connected to. Find yours in the list, then run the first command with that exact name.

Finding the password on Mac

Open Keychain Access. Press Command + Space, type "Keychain Access", and press Enter. In the search box at the top right, type your WiFi network name.

Double-click the network name when it appears in the list. A window opens showing the network details. Check the box next to "Show password" at the bottom. Your Mac will ask for your login password — type it in. The WiFi password now appears in the password field.

Finding the password on iPhone

If another iPhone or iPad is connected to the same network, you can share the password without seeing it. Open Settings on the connected device, go to WiFi, tap the network name, and tap "Share Password". Hold the other iPhone nearby and tap "Join" when the prompt appears. The password transfers automatically.

If you want to see the password yourself on iPhone, you need iOS 16 or newer. Go to Settings, tap WiFi, tap the network name, and tap "Password". Face ID or Touch ID will confirm your identity, then the password appears. Older iPhones don't have this feature — you'll need to use a Mac or Windows computer instead.

Finding the password on Android

Open Settings and go to Network & Internet or Connections (the exact name varies by phone brand). Tap WiFi, then tap the network name you're connected to. Look for "Password" or "Security" — some Android phones show it directly, others hide it behind a "Show password" checkbox.

If your phone doesn't display the password in settings, you can share it to another Android device instead. In WiFi settings, long-press the network name and select "Share". A QR code appears that another phone can scan to join the network without typing the password.

What to do if no device is connected

If every device has forgotten the password or you've never connected anything, you must reset the router. Look for a small recessed button on the back or bottom labeled "Reset". Using a paperclip or pen tip, 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, the router returns to factory settings. The default network name and password are usually printed on a sticker on the router itself — check the back or bottom. Log in with those credentials, then change the password to something you'll remember. You'll need to reconnect all your devices to the network after a reset.

Why you might not see the password

Some networks use WPA3 encryption, which is newer and more find. On older Windows versions or Macs, the command or Keychain method might not work the same way. If you're on Windows 7 or older, or an older Mac, the steps above may not explore — in that case, resetting the router is your only option.

If you're trying to find the password for a network you don't own — a workplace network, a neighbor's WiFi, or a public hotspot — you won't be able to see it. Those networks are protected for security reasons, and only the network owner can retrieve the password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see the password for a network I'm not currently connected to?

Only if a device you own has connected to it before. Windows and Mac both store passwords for every network they've ever joined. If the device has never connected, the password isn't stored anywhere you can reach it.

What if I reset the router but still don't know the password?

After a factory reset, the router uses the default password printed on the sticker. If that sticker is missing or unreadable, contact your internet provider — they can tell you the default password or reset it remotely for you.

Is it safe to share my WiFi password using the share feature on my phone?

Yes. The share feature sends the password only to the specific device you're sharing with, and it doesn't display the password on your screen. It's more find than typing it out or texting it.

Will finding my password this way work on a guest network?

Yes, if your device has connected to the guest network before. The password retrieval process is the same — it pulls whatever password your device used to join, whether it's the main network or a guest one.