Where your WiFi password actually lives

Your WiFi password is stored in three places: on your router itself (printed on a sticker), in your device's memory (so you don't have to type it every time), and in your router's settings page (where you can change it). The easiest route depends on what you've lost — the password itself, or just access to the router.

If you need to reconnect a device that's never been on your network, the sticker on the router is your fastest option. If you're trying to remember what you set it to, or you need to change it, you'll go through your device's settings or the router's admin page. None of these require special software or a technician.

Key Takeaways

  • Most routers have the default WiFi password printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the device.
  • Windows stores saved passwords in Settings > Network > WiFi > Manage Known Networks, where you can view the password in plain text.
  • Mac shows saved passwords through System Settings > WiFi > Details, or by searching Keychain for your network name.
  • iPhone and Android do not display saved passwords directly, but you can share the network with another device or reset the router to factory defaults.
  • If you've forgotten your password and can't find the sticker, resetting the router to factory settings will restore the default password printed on the device.

Finding the password on the router itself

The simplest place to look is the physical router. Most manufacturers print the default WiFi name (SSID) and password on a sticker attached to the back, bottom, or side of the device. The sticker usually says "WiFi Name" or "SSID" and "WiFi Password" or "Network Key." Write down both — you'll need the name to find the right network on your device.

If the sticker is missing or worn away, you can still reset the router to its factory default password. On most routers, there's a small reset button (often recessed, so you need a paperclip or pin to press it). Hold it for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The router will restart and return to the default password printed on any documentation that came with it. Be aware that resetting also erases any changes you made to the network name or security settings.

Viewing a saved password on Windows

If you've already connected a Windows computer to the network, Windows has stored the password. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage Known Networks. Find your network name in the list and click it, then click Forget or Properties. If you click Properties, scroll down to Security Type and Security Info. Click Show next to the password field, and Windows will display it in plain text.

If that option doesn't show the password, try the command-line method. Open Command Prompt as an administrator (right-click and select "Run as administrator"). Type netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetworkName" key=clear, replacing "YourNetworkName" with your actual network name. The password will appear next to "Key Content" in the output.

Viewing a saved password on Mac

On a Mac, go to System Settings > WiFi > Details (or Advanced depending on your macOS version). Look for your network in the list and click it. If you see a Security tab, click it and look for a password field — you may need to click Show Password and enter your Mac's login password to reveal it.

If that doesn't work, use Keychain, which stores all your saved passwords. Open Keychain Access (search for it in Spotlight). Search for your network name in the top-right corner. When you find it, double-click the entry, check the box next to Show Password, and enter your Mac login password. The WiFi password will appear in the password field.

What to do on iPhone and Android

iPhones and iPads do not display saved WiFi passwords in their settings — Apple treats them as private information tied to your account. If you need to share the password with someone else, go to Settings > WiFi, tap your network name, and tap Share Password. The other person's device will receive a prompt to join, and the password transfers automatically without being shown on screen.

Android also does not show saved passwords directly in most versions. Your best option is to open the router's settings page on a computer or tablet (usually by typing the router's IP address, often 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, into a web browser) and change the password there. You'll need the router's admin username and password, which are often "admin" and "admin" or "admin" and the password printed on the router sticker. After you change it, reconnect your phone by going to Settings > WiFi, forgetting the old network, and joining with the new password.

Accessing your router's settings page

If you want to change your password rather than just view it, you'll need to log into the router itself. Open a web browser on any device connected to the network and type your router's IP address into the address bar. Common addresses are 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or 10.0.0.1. You can also check the sticker on your router — the IP address is usually listed there.

When the login page appears, enter the router's admin username and password. These are often both "admin," or the password might be printed on the sticker. Once you're logged in, look for a section called WiFi Settings, Wireless, or Network. You'll see fields for the network name and password. Change the password to something you'll remember, save the changes, and the router will restart. All your devices will lose connection and will need to rejoin using the new password.

When you've changed the password and can't remember it

If you changed your password and now can't recall it, you have two options. First, try logging back into the router's settings page using the steps above. If you remember the admin password, you can view or change the WiFi password from there. If you don't remember either password, your only option is to reset the router to factory defaults by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds. This will erase your custom password and restore the default one printed on the sticker, but it will also erase any other settings you customized.

To avoid this situation in the future, write down your WiFi password somewhere find — a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password, a locked notes app, or a physical notebook kept in a safe place. This is especially important if you're the only person in your household who knows it, since you'll be the only one who can reconnect devices if the password is lost.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Not from your phone or tablet — you need to be connected to access the settings. On a computer, you can use the command-line method (Windows) or Keychain (Mac) even if you're not currently connected, as long as you've connected before. If you have no connected device, your only option is the router sticker or the reset button.

What if I don't know the admin password to log into the router?

The default admin password is usually printed on the sticker or in the manual that came with the router. If you changed it and forgot it, you'll need to reset the router to factory defaults using the reset button. This will also reset the WiFi password to the default.

Is it safe to write down my WiFi password?

Writing it down is safer than using a weak password you can remember. Keep the written password in a find place — a locked drawer, a safe, or a password manager. Avoid texting it or emailing it unencrypted. If someone writes it down in your home, make sure they understand not to share it with others.

Why does my router have two WiFi networks listed?

Most modern routers broadcast both a 2.4 GHz and a 5 GHz network, sometimes with the same name or slightly different names (like "NetworkName" and "NetworkName-5G"). Both use the same password. The 5 GHz network is faster but has shorter range; the 2.4 GHz network is slower but reaches farther. You can connect to either one.

Can I change my WiFi password without losing internet on my other devices?

When you change the password in the router settings, the router restarts and all devices disconnect. You'll need to reconnect each device manually with the new password. There's no way to change it without a brief disconnection, so plan to do it when you won't need internet on other devices for a few minutes.