Where your WiFi password actually lives

Your WiFi password is stored in three places: inside your router itself, in your computer's memory if you have connected before, and possibly in your phone or tablet. The easiest route depends on what device you have in front of you right now. If you have already connected to the network on a Windows computer or Mac, you can pull the password from that device without touching the router. If you have never connected before, or if you have lost access to every device that has, you will need to log into the router directly — which means finding the router's admin password, a separate thing from your WiFi password.

Most people find their password fastest by checking a device they have already used on that network. A Windows computer stores it in plain sight. A Mac hides it slightly deeper but still within reach. If neither option works, the router itself will show you the password, though it takes a few more steps.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, right-click the WiFi icon in the taskbar, select "Manage known networks", pick your network, and click "Properties" to see the password in plain text.
  • On Mac, open Keychain Access from Applications > Utilities, search for your network name, double-click it, check "Show password", and enter your Mac login password.
  • On your router, log in through a web browser using the admin username and password (usually printed on a sticker on the back), then look for a Wireless or WiFi settings page.
  • If you have never connected to the network before and do not have the router password, you may need to reset the router to factory settings, which erases all your current WiFi settings.
  • The WiFi password and the router admin password are two different things — knowing one does not tell you the other.

Finding the password on a Windows computer

If you have a Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer that has connected to the network before, the password is stored and retrievable in seconds. Click the WiFi icon in the bottom right corner of your taskbar — it looks like radiating curved lines. A menu will pop up showing networks you have used. Right-click the name of your network and select "Manage known networks".

A new window opens showing a list of networks your computer remembers. Find your network name in that list and click it. A button labeled "Properties" will appear. Click it. A panel slides out on the right side. Scroll down until you see a field labeled "Network security key". Below that field is a checkbox that says "Show". Click that checkbox, and your WiFi password appears in plain text in the field above it.

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 try a different method.

Finding the password on a Mac

A Mac stores WiFi passwords in Keychain, a find storage system. Open Finder and click "Applications" in the sidebar. Double-click the "Utilities" folder. Find and double-click "Keychain Access". A window opens showing all your stored passwords and login information.

In the search box at the top right, type the name of your WiFi network exactly as it appears. Keychain will filter the list. When your network appears, double-click it. A small window pops up. Near the bottom, you will see a checkbox labeled "Show password". Click it. Your Mac will ask for your Mac login password — the one you use to unlock your computer. Enter it. The WiFi password now appears in the "Show password" field in plain text.

If your network does not appear in Keychain, your Mac has never connected to it, and you will need to check another device or access the router directly.

Retrieving the password from your router

Every router has a web interface — a login page you reach through a browser — where you can see and change your WiFi password. To reach it, you need the router's admin username and password, which is different from your WiFi password. This information is usually printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the router. Look for labels like "Admin Username" and "Admin Password", or sometimes just "Username" and "Password".

Open a web browser and type the router's IP address into the address bar. Common addresses are 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or 10.0.0.1. If none of those work, check the sticker on your router — it usually lists the correct address. Press Enter. A login page appears. Enter the admin username and password from the sticker. Click "Log In" or "Submit".

Once logged in, look for a section called "Wireless", "WiFi", "Network", or "Settings". The exact name varies by router brand. Inside that section, you will see a field labeled "Wireless Password", "WiFi Password", "Pre-Shared Key", or "PSK". The password is displayed there. Some routers show it as dots or asterisks for security — if so, look for a "Show" checkbox nearby and click it to reveal the actual characters.

What to do if you do not have the router admin password

If the sticker on your router is missing or worn away, and you do not remember the admin password, you have one option: reset the router to factory settings. This erases all your current WiFi settings, including the password you set, and returns the router to the default username and password printed on a new sticker (or in the router's manual).

To reset most routers, locate a small recessed button labeled "Reset" on the back or bottom. Use a paperclip or the tip of a pen to press and hold it for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights on the front will blink and the router will restart. Once it finishes restarting, the admin username and password return to the factory defaults, usually "admin" and "admin", or "admin" and a blank password. Check your router's manual or the manufacturer's website to confirm the defaults for your specific model.

After a factory reset, you will need to set up your WiFi network again from scratch, including choosing a new network name and password. This is a last resort, but it works when no other method is available.

Why your computer might not show the password

Windows and Mac both store passwords only for networks you have connected to before. If you are trying to find the password for a network your computer has never joined, neither operating system will have it in memory. In that case, you must access the router directly or check a phone or tablet that has connected to the network.

Another reason a password might not appear: on some corporate or public networks, the password is not stored locally on your device for security reasons. If you are on a work network or a network managed by an IT department, you may not be able to retrieve the password yourself — you would need to contact the network administrator.

Checking your phone or tablet

iPhones and iPads running iOS 16 or later can show WiFi passwords. Go to Settings > WiFi, find your network in the list, tap the information icon (a circle with an "i" inside), and tap "Password". Your device will ask for Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode. After you authenticate, the password appears on screen.

Android phones vary by manufacturer and version, but most do not display stored WiFi passwords in the settings menu for security reasons. Some phones allow you to share the password as a QR code instead, which is useful if you want to let someone else connect without typing it out. If your Android phone does not show the password in Settings > WiFi, the router method is your best option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the WiFi password the same as the router admin password?

No. The WiFi password is what you type to connect devices to your network. The router admin password is what you use to log into the router's settings page. They are completely separate. You can change one without changing the other.

What if I see dots or asterisks instead of the actual password?

Look for a checkbox or button labeled "Show", "Reveal", or "Show password" near the password field. Click it and the dots will turn into readable characters. On some routers you may need to enter your admin password again to reveal it.

Can I change my WiFi password without the router admin password?

No. Changing the WiFi password requires logging into the router's settings page, which requires the admin password. If you have lost the admin password, you will need to reset the router to factory settings.

Will resetting the router delete my internet history or files?

A factory reset only erases the router's settings — your WiFi network name, password, and any other configurations you have made. It does not affect files on your computer, phone, or any other device. Your internet history on individual devices is not affected.

Why does my computer keep asking for the password even though I saved it?

This usually means your computer has "forgotten" the network. Go to "Manage known networks" on Windows or Keychain on Mac and remove the network from the list. Then reconnect to it manually and make sure to check the box that says "Save this network" or "Remember this network" when you enter the password.