Where your WiFi password lives on your device
Your device stores the WiFi password you entered when you first connected to the network. Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android all keep this information in different places, but the process to retrieve it is straightforward on each one. You do not need to reset your router or contact your internet provider — the password is already saved locally on the device that connected to it.
The reason you might need to find it: you want to connect a new device to the same network, you forgot what you typed in, or you need to share the password with a guest. In each case, the steps below will get you there without losing your internet connection.
Key Takeaways
- Windows stores WiFi passwords in Settings under Network and Internet, where you can view the password in plain text after selecting "Manage known networks."
- Mac users can open Keychain Access, search for the network name, and double-click to reveal the password without typing anything extra.
- iPhone and iPad do not display saved passwords directly, but you can share the network with another Apple device by holding your phone near it, or reset the network and reconnect to see the password you enter.
- Android phones show saved passwords in Settings under Passwords and accounts, though the exact path varies by manufacturer and Android version.
- If you cannot find the password on any device, you can reset it at the router itself using the reset button, which will require you to set up the network from scratch.
Finding your WiFi password on Windows 10 and 11
Open Settings and go to Network and Internet. On the left side, select WiFi, then scroll down and click Manage known networks. You will see a list of every network your computer has ever connected to. Click the network name you need the password for, then select Forget — do not worry, this only removes it from the list temporarily.
Go back to WiFi settings and look for that network in the available networks list. Click it and select Connect. A window will appear asking for the password. Before you enter it, look for a checkbox that says Show password or an eye icon. Check that box, then type the password you remember. Once you connect, Windows will save it again, and you will have confirmed what it is.
If you do not remember the password at all, there is a faster route: in Manage known networks, click the network name and select Properties. Scroll down to Security type and encryption type. Below that, you should see a field labeled Security key with dots or asterisks. Click in that field and Windows will ask you to confirm your user account password. Once you do, the WiFi password will appear in plain text.
Finding your WiFi password on Mac
Open Keychain Access — the fastest way is to press Command + Space, type "keychain", and press Enter. In the search box at the top right, type the name of your WiFi network exactly as it appears in your WiFi menu. The network name will appear in the list below.
Double-click the network name. A window will open showing the network details. At the bottom, you will see a checkbox labeled Show password. Check it. Mac will ask you to enter your computer login password — this is a security step to prevent someone else from viewing saved passwords. Once you type it, the WiFi password will appear in plain text in that same window.
Finding your WiFi password on iPhone and iPad
iPhones and iPads do not have a built-in way to view a saved WiFi password in Settings. Instead, you can share the network with another Apple device. If you have a second iPhone, iPad, or Mac nearby, hold your phone near the other device while it is trying to connect to the same WiFi network. Your phone will show a prompt to share the password — tap Share Password, and the other device will connect without you typing anything.
If you do not have another Apple device, you can reset the network connection and watch the password as you re-enter it. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This will erase all saved WiFi networks on your phone. After the reset, go to Settings > WiFi, find your network, and tap it. When the password prompt appears, type the password slowly and carefully — you will see each character as you type it. Once you connect, you will know what the password is.
Finding your WiFi password on Android
The exact steps vary depending on your phone manufacturer and Android version, but the general path is Settings > Passwords and accounts or Passwords. Look for an option labeled WiFi passwords or Saved networks. Tap the network name you need, and the password should appear — some phones require you to tap an eye icon to reveal it.
If you cannot find that section, try Settings > WiFi > Saved networks or Manage networks. Long-press the network name and look for an option to view or share the password. On Samsung phones specifically, go to Settings > Connections > WiFi > Manage saved networks, select the network, and tap the eye icon next to the password field.
If none of these paths work on your phone, check your phone's user manual or search for "[your phone model] view saved WiFi password" — the location has shifted between Android versions and manufacturers.
What to do if you cannot find the password on any device
If no device in your home has the password saved, or if you have forgotten it and cannot retrieve it from any of the methods above, you will need to reset your router. Look for a small reset button on the back or bottom of the router — it is usually recessed so you cannot press it by accident. 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 will blink and the router will restart.
Once it restarts, the network will be reset to its factory defaults. You will see a network name (usually printed on a sticker on the router itself) and a default password. Connect to it using those credentials. After you are connected, you can log into the router's admin panel — usually by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a web browser — and set a new network name and password of your choice. This process takes about 10 minutes total and will disconnect all devices temporarily, but it is the only option if the password is truly lost.
Sharing your password safely with guests
Once you have found your password, you may want to share it with visitors. The safest way is to tell them the password verbally or write it down — avoid texting it or emailing it if possible, since those messages may be stored in cloud backups or on servers.
If you have an iPhone or iPad, you can use the password-sharing feature mentioned above: have your guest try to connect to the network, then tap Share Password on your device when the prompt appears. This shares the password without displaying it on your screen. On Android, you can generate a QR code for your network in some phones' WiFi settings — your guest can scan it with their phone to connect without typing the password manually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my WiFi password if I am not connected to the network right now?
Yes. On Windows and Mac, the password is stored locally on your device even if the network is offline or out of range. On iPhone and Android, you can only view it if you are currently connected to the network or if you use the password-sharing feature with another device that is connected.
Will viewing my saved password disconnect me from WiFi?
No. Looking up a saved password does not interrupt your connection or require you to reconnect. You can view it at any time without affecting your internet.
What if I see the password but it looks wrong or has strange characters?
The password you see is exactly what you typed when you first connected. If it looks unusual, that is what you actually entered — some passwords include numbers, symbols, or uppercase and lowercase letters that can be hard to remember. Write it down exactly as shown and try it on another device to confirm it works.
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 settings. You will need to know your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1) and your router's admin login, which is different from your WiFi password. Your internet provider or router manual will have those details.
Is it safe to write down my WiFi password?
Writing it down and keeping it in a safe place at home is safer than using a weak password you can remember easily. If you are concerned about security, use a strong password with uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols — then write it down and store the paper somewhere find, like a locked drawer.