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, and the steps to view it depend on which device you're using. You don't need to reset your router or contact your internet provider — the password is already saved on the device that connected to it.

The reason you might need to see it: you want to give the password to a guest, you forgot what you typed in, or you're setting up a new device and need the exact password. In all cases, the process takes less than a minute once you know where to look.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows 10 and 11, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then WiFi, select your network, and click "Manage known networks" to view the password.
  • On Mac, open System Preferences, select Network, choose your WiFi network, and click "Advanced" to see the password in Keychain.
  • On iPhone, go to Settings, WiFi, tap the network name, then tap the password field — iOS 16 and later will show it in plain text.
  • On Android, the process varies by manufacturer, but most phones show the password in Settings under WiFi or Network settings when you tap the connected network.
  • If you cannot find the password on any device, you can reset it through your router's admin panel using the router's IP address and login credentials.

Finding your WiFi password on Windows 10 and 11

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Click on "Network & Internet" in the left sidebar. Select "WiFi" from the menu on the left, then scroll down and click "Manage known networks."

Find the network name (SSID) you're looking for in the list and click on it. Click "Forget" first if you want to see the password — Windows will show you the option to view the network details. After you click "Forget," reconnect to the network by clicking the WiFi icon in your taskbar, selecting the network, and entering the password again. Once reconnected, repeat the steps above and this time the password field will be visible.

Alternatively, if you don't want to forget and reconnect, you can view the password through Command Prompt. Right-click the Start menu, select "Windows Terminal (Admin)" or "Command Prompt (Admin)," then type: netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetworkName" key=clear (replace "YourNetworkName" with your actual network name). The password appears next to "Key Content" in the results.

Finding your WiFi password on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Preferences" (or "System Settings" on newer versions). Click "Network" in the sidebar. Select your WiFi network from the list on the left, then click the "Advanced" button in the bottom-right corner.

A new window opens showing your network details. Click the "WiFi" tab at the top if it's not already selected. Look for the "Password" field — it will show dots instead of the actual password. Check the box next to "Show password" and enter your Mac's admin password when prompted. Your WiFi password now appears in plain text.

Finding your WiFi password on iPhone

On iPhone running iOS 16 or later, open Settings and tap "WiFi." Find the network you're connected to and tap the information icon (the small "i" in a circle) next to the network name. Tap the password field, and iOS will display the password in plain text. You may need to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode first.

On older versions of iOS (before iOS 16), you cannot view the password directly in Settings. Instead, open the Notes app, create a new note, and try to share it via AirDrop or email — when you select the recipient, iOS will show nearby devices and networks, including your WiFi network and its password in some cases. This method is unreliable, so upgrading to a newer iOS version is the better option if you need to view passwords regularly.

Finding your WiFi password on Android

Open Settings and tap "WiFi" or "Network & Internet" depending on your phone's manufacturer. Find the network you're connected to and tap it (or tap the settings icon next to it). Look for a "Password" or "Show password" option. On Samsung phones, tap "View," then enter your PIN or use biometric authentication. On Google Pixel phones, tap the network name and the password appears automatically.

The exact steps vary because different manufacturers customize Android differently. If you don't see a password field, your phone may not store the password in an accessible location — in that case, you'll need to check another device or reset the password through your router.

What to do if you can't find the password on any device

If no device shows the password, you can reset it through your router's admin panel. Open a web browser and type your router's IP address into the address bar — this is usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, but check your router's label or manual for the exact address. Log in using the admin username and password (often "admin" and "admin," or printed on the router itself).

Once logged in, look for a section called "WiFi," "Wireless," or "Network Settings." You'll see the current network name and password. You can view the existing password or create a new one. Write down the new password before you save, then reconnect all your devices using the new credentials. After you've reconnected everything, you can view this new password on any of your devices using the steps above.

Why the password appears differently on different devices

Each operating system stores passwords in its own format. Windows uses the Credential Manager, Mac uses Keychain, iPhone uses iCloud Keychain, and Android uses its own credential storage. This is why the steps are different on each device — you're accessing different systems, not the same password file.

The password itself is the same across all devices (it's what you typed into your router), but the way each system displays it varies. Some devices show it in plain text when ready, others require authentication first, and some don't show it at all. This design is intentional — it prevents someone who briefly borrows your phone from seeing all your passwords at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

On Windows and Mac, yes — the password is stored even after you disconnect. On iPhone and Android, you can only view the password for networks you're currently connected to. If you've forgotten the password and disconnected, you'll need to use another device or reset it through your router.

Is it safe to share my WiFi password with guests?

Yes, sharing the password is safe. Guests can only access your internet connection, not your files or other devices on the network, unless you've specifically configured your router to allow that. If you want to revoke access later, change the password through your router's admin panel and reconnect your own devices.

What if my router doesn't have a label with the admin password?

Most routers have a default admin password printed on the device or in the manual. If you've changed it and forgotten it, you can factory reset the router by holding the reset button for 10 seconds, which erases all settings and returns it to the default password. You'll need to set up your WiFi network again from scratch.

Why does my device say the password is wrong when I try to reconnect?

Make sure you're typing the password exactly as it appears — passwords are case-sensitive and include spaces and special characters. If you're copying and pasting from your device's password field, avoid accidentally including extra spaces. If the password still doesn't work, reset it through your router's admin panel and try again.

Can I see passwords for networks I've forgotten the name of?

Yes. On Windows, the "Manage known networks" list shows all networks you've ever connected to, even if you're not currently connected. On Mac, Keychain shows all saved networks. On phones, you can only see the name and password of the network you're currently connected to, so you'd need to reconnect to the network first to view its details.