Where your WiFi password lives on your device
Your device stores the WiFi password you entered when you first connected to your network. Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android all keep this information in different places, but the process to view it is straightforward on each one. You do not need special tools — the password is already saved on the device you used to connect.
The reason you might need to find it: you forgot what you typed in, you want to give the password to a guest, or you need to reconnect a device that lost the connection. Your router itself also has this password printed on a sticker, usually on the back or bottom, which is often faster than digging through device settings.
Key Takeaways
- Windows stores WiFi passwords in Network Settings under "Manage known networks," where you can view the password in plain text after clicking "Properties."
- Mac users can find saved WiFi passwords in Keychain Access by searching for the network name, then double-clicking the entry and checking "Show password."
- iPhone and iPad do not display saved WiFi passwords through settings, but you can share the network directly to another Apple device without typing it.
- Android phones show saved WiFi passwords in Settings under "Saved networks," though the exact path varies by manufacturer and Android version.
- Your router's password label is usually on the back or bottom of the device and is the fastest way to recover it if you cannot access your computer or phone settings.
Finding your WiFi password on Windows 10 and 11
Open Settings and go to Network & Internet, then select WiFi from the left menu. Click Manage known networks, which shows every network your computer has ever connected to. Find your network name in the list and click it, then click Properties.
Scroll down to the Security section. You will see a field labeled Security type and below it a field that says Network security key. This field is hidden by default — click the eye icon next to it to reveal your password in plain text. Write it down or take a screenshot before you close the window, because Windows will hide it again the next time you open Settings.
If you do not see your network in the "Manage known networks" list, it means your computer has never connected to it before. In that case, check the sticker on your router or ask whoever set up the network.
Finding your WiFi password on Mac
Open Keychain Access, which you can find by clicking the Spotlight search icon (magnifying glass in the top right) and typing "keychain." Once it opens, use the search box in the top right corner to search for your WiFi network name.
When you find your network in the list, double-click it to open its details. A window will pop up showing information about that network. Near the bottom, you will see a checkbox labeled Show password. Click it, and your Mac will ask you to enter your computer password to confirm. Type your Mac login password, and the WiFi password will appear in plain text in that same field.
If the search does not find your network, try searching for just part of the name, or scroll through the full list manually. Networks are listed alphabetically, so knowing the first letter helps.
Finding your WiFi password on iPhone and iPad
iPhone and iPad do not have a built-in way to view a saved WiFi password through Settings. Apple designed it this way for security — the password stays locked in the device's encrypted storage and cannot be displayed on screen.
The fastest workaround is to share your WiFi directly with another Apple device. If you have a second iPhone, iPad, or Mac, bring it close to your phone, go to Settings > WiFi on the second device, select your network, and your first device will show a prompt to share the password. Tap Share Password, and the second device connects without you ever typing anything. This works only between your own Apple devices that are signed into the same iCloud account.
If you need the actual password to give to someone else or to connect a non-Apple device, check the sticker on your router or log into your router's admin panel from a computer or another phone's web browser.
Finding your WiFi password on Android
The path varies depending on your phone's manufacturer and Android version, but the general route is Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi. Look for a section called Saved networks or Manage networks. Tap your network name in the list.
A details screen will appear. Look for a field labeled Password or Network security key. On some phones, you need to tap an eye icon to reveal it; on others, it displays automatically. If you see a QR code instead of the password text, you can take a screenshot of the QR code and share that with someone else — they can scan it to connect to your network without typing the password.
If you cannot find a "Saved networks" section, try going to Settings > WiFi and long-pressing (holding down) your network name. A menu should appear with options including "Manage" or "View details," which will show the password. The exact wording depends on your phone's brand and software version.
Checking your router's password label
Every router has a sticker on the back or bottom that shows the default WiFi network name and password. Look for text that says SSID (the network name) and Password, Key, or Passphrase. This label is usually printed in small text and may be partially worn or faded after years of use.
If you changed your WiFi password after you first set up the router, the label will show the original password, not your current one. In that case, you will need to use one of the device methods above. If you cannot remember the password you set and cannot find it on any device, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding down a small reset button (usually recessed, requiring a paperclip or pin) for 10 to 15 seconds. This erases your custom password and returns it to the label default, but it also erases any other settings you customized.
What to do if you still cannot find it
If none of your devices show the password and the router label is unreadable, you have two options. First, try logging into your router's admin panel directly. Open a web browser on any device connected to the network, type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar, and press Enter. You will be asked for a username and password — these are usually "admin" and "admin," "admin" and the password on the router label, or the credentials you set up when you first installed the router.
If you get into the admin panel, look for a section called WiFi Settings, Wireless, or Network. Your current password should be displayed there, often with an eye icon to reveal it if it is hidden. If you cannot remember the admin password either, resetting the router to factory settings is the only remaining option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my WiFi password if I am not connected to the network?
On Windows and Mac, yes — the password is stored even if you are not currently connected. On iPhone and iPad, no — you can only view it through the sharing method if you are on the network. On Android, it depends on your phone, but most devices store the password whether you are connected or not.
Is it safe to write down or screenshot my WiFi password?
Yes, it is safe to write it down or take a screenshot for your own records. Keep it somewhere find, like a password manager or a locked drawer. Do not share screenshots or written passwords through email or text message — if you need to give someone the password, tell them in person or use your phone's built-in sharing feature if available.
What if the password field shows asterisks or dots instead of the actual password?
That is normal — the field is hidden for security. Look for an eye icon next to the field and click or tap it to reveal the password in plain text. On Windows, it is labeled "Show password." On Mac, it is labeled "Show password" in the checkbox. On Android, it is usually an eye icon.
Can I change my WiFi password from my phone or computer?
You can change it by logging into your router's admin panel through a web browser, but you cannot change it directly from your phone or computer's WiFi settings. You need to access the router itself, which requires the admin username and password, not the WiFi password.
Why does my device say it cannot connect even though I entered the password correctly?
The password you are viewing might be outdated if you changed it after the device last connected. Try forgetting the network (in WiFi settings, select the network and choose "Forget" or "Remove") and then reconnecting by typing the password again. If it still does not work, the password you are viewing may not be the current one — check another device or the router's admin panel to confirm.