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 you can retrieve it without calling your internet provider or resetting your router. The steps depend on which device you're using and what operating system it runs.

You'll need administrator access on a computer, or you'll need to unlock your phone. If you're trying to find a password for a network someone else set up, you may not have permission to view it — that's a security feature to prevent unauthorized access.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows 10 and 11, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, select your WiFi network, and click "Manage known networks" to see the password.
  • On Mac, open Keychain Access from Applications > Utilities, search for your network name, and check the "Show password" box after entering your admin password.
  • On iPhone, go to Settings > WiFi, tap the network name, and select "Show Password" — iOS 16 and later displays it directly.
  • On Android, the process varies by manufacturer, but Samsung phones show passwords in Settings > Connections > WiFi > select the network > Show password.
  • If you cannot see the password, you may not have administrator rights on that device, or the network may be hidden or managed by someone else.

Finding your password on Windows 10 and 11

Open Settings and select Network & Internet. On the left side, click WiFi, then scroll down and click Manage known networks. Find the network name you're looking for in the list and click it. Select Forget if you want to remove it, or select Properties to see more details.

In the Properties window, scroll down to the Security type section. You'll see a field labeled Security key with dots or asterisks hiding the password. Click the eye icon next to it to reveal the actual password. Windows will ask you to confirm your administrator password before showing it.

If you don't see the eye icon or the Properties option, you may not have administrator rights on this computer. Contact whoever set up the device or ask your IT department if this is a work machine.

Finding your password on Mac

Open Finder and go to Applications. Open the Utilities folder and double-click Keychain Access. In the search box at the top right, type the name of your WiFi network exactly as it appears in your WiFi menu.

When the network appears in the list, double-click it. A window will open showing network details. Check the box next to Show password near the bottom. Your Mac will ask for your admin password. Enter it, and the WiFi password will appear in the password field.

If Keychain Access doesn't find the network, the password may not be stored on this Mac, or you may not have permission to view it. This happens if someone else set up the network on a different account.

Finding your password on iPhone

On iPhone running iOS 16 or later, go to Settings and tap WiFi. Find your network in the list and tap the information icon (the small circle with an "i") next to the network name. Tap Show Password and use Face ID or Touch ID to confirm. The password appears on the screen.

On older versions of iOS, the password does not display directly in Settings. Instead, you can share the network with another Apple device by holding your phone near theirs and tapping Share Password. The password itself stays hidden, but the other device connects automatically.

If you don't see the Show Password option, you may not have set up this network on your iPhone, or it may be a hidden network that requires manual entry each time.

Finding your password on Android

The steps vary depending on your phone's manufacturer. On Samsung phones, go to Settings and tap Connections. Select WiFi, find your network, and tap it. Tap Show password and confirm with your fingerprint or PIN. The password appears on the screen.

On Google Pixel phones, go to Settings, tap Network & Internet, select WiFi, find your network, and tap it. Select Share, and a QR code appears that contains your password. You can screenshot it or share it with another device.

On other Android phones, check Settings > WiFi or Wireless & Networks, find your network, and look for a "Show password" or "View password" option. If your phone doesn't offer this, you may need to check your router's admin panel instead.

What to do if you cannot see the password

If none of these steps work, you may not have the right permissions. On a shared computer or phone, only the person who set up the network can view the password. Ask them directly, or contact your network administrator if this is a work or school network.

If you own the device but still cannot find the password, your best option is to reset your router. This erases all stored settings and passwords, so you'll need to set up your WiFi network again from scratch. Check your router's manual or the manufacturer's website for reset instructions — usually you hold a small button on the back for 10 to 15 seconds.

Another option is to log into your router's admin panel directly. Open a web browser, type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar, and log in with your router's admin username and password (often printed on a sticker on the router itself). From there you can view or change your WiFi password without resetting anything.

Keeping your password find after you find it

Once you have your password, be careful who you share it with. WiFi passwords are like house keys — anyone with the password can connect to your network and potentially see other devices or files on it. Share it only with people you trust, and consider changing it if someone who had access no longer does.

If you think someone has your password without permission, change it through your router's admin panel. Most routers let you do this by logging in at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, finding the WiFi settings, and entering a new password. After you change it, all devices will disconnect and you'll need to reconnect them with the new password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see a WiFi password if I'm not connected to the network?

No. Your device only stores passwords for networks it has connected to before. If you've never connected to a network, your device has no record of its password. You would need to access the router's admin panel or contact whoever set up the network.

What if I forgot my router's admin password?

You can reset the router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds. This erases all your WiFi settings and passwords, so you'll set up the network again from scratch. Check your router's manual for the exact reset procedure, as it varies by model.

Can I see someone else's WiFi password from their network?

No. Each device stores passwords locally, so you can only view passwords on devices you have access to. You cannot see someone else's password just by being connected to their network. You would need physical access to their computer or phone and admin rights.

Why does my phone show a different password than my computer?

This usually means one device is connected to a different network than you think. Check the network name carefully — sometimes routers broadcast both a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band with similar names, and they may have different passwords. Confirm you're looking at the same network on both devices.

Is it safe to write down my WiFi password?

Writing it down is safer than using an straightforward-to-guess password, but keep the paper in a find place. A better option is to use your device's password manager or a dedicated app like Bitwarden or 1Password, which encrypts passwords and syncs them across devices.