Where your WiFi password lives on your device

Your device stores the WiFi password you entered when you first connected to the network. You can retrieve it without resetting the router or calling your internet provider. The steps differ depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android — but all of them keep the password in a settings menu you already have access to.

The password you see will be the one you set up (or the one that came with your router). If you have forgotten it completely and cannot retrieve it from any device, you will need to reset the router itself, which erases all custom settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows stores WiFi passwords in Network Settings under "Manage Known Networks," where you can view the password in plain text.
  • Mac users can find the password in Keychain Access by searching for the network name and checking the "Show password" box.
  • iPhone and iPad do not display saved passwords in Settings, but you can share the network to another Apple device or check your router's admin panel.
  • Android devices show the QR code for your network in WiFi settings, which you can scan to see the password, or you can check your router directly.
  • If you cannot retrieve the password from any device, you will need to factory reset your router and set up a new password.

Finding your password on Windows 10 and Windows 11

Open Settings and go to Network & Internet, then select WiFi from the left menu. Click Manage Known Networks and find the network name you are looking for. Select it and click Properties.

Scroll down to the Security section. You will see a field labeled Security Type and below it a checkbox that says Show. Check that box, and your password will appear in plain text in the field above it. You can now copy it or write it down.

If you do not see the network listed under Manage Known Networks, it means your computer has never connected to it before, and the password is not stored on this device.

Finding your password on Mac

Open Keychain Access — you can find it by pressing Command + Space, typing "keychain," and pressing Enter. In the search box at the top right, type the name of your WiFi network.

When the network appears in the list, double-click it to open the details window. At the bottom of the window, check the box labeled Show password. Your Mac will ask for your user password to confirm. Enter it, and the WiFi password will appear on screen.

Finding your password on iPhone and iPad

Apple does not display saved WiFi passwords in the Settings app itself. Instead, you can share your network with another Apple device. Go to Settings > WiFi, tap the network name, and look for a Share Password option. If another Apple device is nearby, you can send the password to it, and that device will display it.

The more direct route is to check your router's admin panel from any device. Open a web browser, type your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1), and log in with your router's admin credentials. The WiFi password is typically listed under Wireless Settings or Network Settings.

Finding your password on Android

Go to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi (the exact path varies by phone maker). Find your network in the list and tap it. You should see a QR code displayed on screen — this code contains your password. Use another device to scan the QR code with a camera or QR reader app, and the password will appear.

If the QR code option is not available on your phone, you can access your router's admin panel instead. Open a browser, enter your router's IP address, log in, and look for the WiFi password under Wireless or Network settings.

Checking your router directly

If you cannot find the password on any of your devices, you can log into your router's admin panel from any computer or phone on the network. Most routers use the IP address 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 — type this into your browser's address bar.

Log in using your router's admin username and password. These are often printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the router. Once logged in, look for a section called Wireless Settings, WiFi Settings, or Network. Your password will be listed there, usually under a field labeled Password, Pre-Shared Key, or Passphrase.

If you have never changed the admin password and do not know it, you can factory reset the router by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds. This erases all settings, including your WiFi password, and returns the router to its default state.

What to do if you cannot find the password anywhere

If no device on your network has the password stored, your only option is to reset the router. Locate the small reset button (usually recessed into the back of the router) and hold it down for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will flash and the router will restart.

Once it restarts, it will return to factory default settings. You can then log in with the default admin credentials (printed on the router) and set a new WiFi password. This process disconnects all devices from the network, so you will need to reconnect them one by one using the new password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my WiFi password if I am not connected to the network?

No. Your device only stores passwords for networks it has connected to before. If you have never connected to a network on this device, the password is not stored here. You will need to check another device that has connected, or access your router's admin panel directly.

Is my password stored in plain text on my device?

Yes, but only in encrypted storage that requires your device password or biometric authentication to access. On Windows and Mac, you can view it by entering your user password. On iPhone and Android, the password is not displayed in Settings, but it is stored securely and used automatically when you connect.

What if I forgot my router's admin password?

You will need to factory reset the router by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds. This erases all settings and returns the router to its default admin credentials, which are printed on the device. You can then set a new admin password and WiFi password.

Can I change my WiFi password from my phone?

Yes. Open a browser on your phone, go to your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1), log in with your admin credentials, and navigate to Wireless Settings. You can change the password there. All devices will be disconnected and will need to reconnect using the new password.