Where your network password lives on your device

Your WiFi password is stored in your operating system's network settings, not in your router or your internet bill. Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android each keep this information in different places, and the steps to view it vary by device. You do not need special software or a technician — you can retrieve it yourself in a few minutes using built-in tools.

The password you see will be the one you set when you first connected to the network, or the one someone else set if they configured it. If you have changed the password since then, the device will show the current password, not an old one.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows 10 and 11, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, select your WiFi network, and click "Manage known networks" to view the password.
  • On Mac, open Keychain Access from Applications > Utilities, search for your network name, double-click it, and check "Show password" after entering your Mac login.
  • On iPhone and iPad, you cannot view a saved WiFi password directly, but you can share it with another Apple device or reset the network connection.
  • On Android, the process depends on your phone's manufacturer and Android version, but Settings > WiFi usually shows a QR code you can scan instead of viewing the password as text.

Viewing the password on Windows 10 and 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then click the app. Go to Network & Internet on the left sidebar. Under WiFi, click Manage known networks. Find your network name in the list and click it.

Click Manage. A window will open showing network details. Scroll down to Security type and Encryption type. Below those fields, you will see Security key — this is your WiFi password. It will appear as dots or asterisks until you click Show next to it. Windows will ask you to confirm your computer login before displaying the password in plain text.

If you do not see "Manage" as an option, your account may not have administrator rights on that computer. Ask the person who set up the computer to show you the password, or use the Mac or Android method instead if you have access to those devices.

Viewing the password on Mac

Open Finder and go to Applications. Open the Utilities folder. 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. Your Mac will prompt you to enter your login password — type it and click Allow. The WiFi password will now appear in plain text in the password field.

If Keychain Access does not find your network, the password may not be saved on that Mac. This happens if you connected to the network on a different device, or if the connection was made by someone else and not synced through iCloud Keychain.

What to do on iPhone and iPad

Apple does not allow you to view a saved WiFi password as text on iPhone or iPad. However, you can share the password with another Apple device without typing it. Go to Settings > WiFi, tap your network name, and tap Share Password. Hold another iPhone or iPad nearby — the owner of that device will see a prompt to accept the password, and it will save automatically.

If you need to use the password on a non-Apple device, you will have to reset the network connection. Go to Settings > WiFi, tap the information icon next to your network, and tap Forget This Network. Then reconnect by selecting the network again and entering the password manually. This does not change the actual WiFi password — it only removes it from your phone's memory so you can type it in fresh.

Viewing the password on Android

The steps depend on your phone's manufacturer and Android version. On most recent Android phones, go to Settings > WiFi (or Network & Internet > WiFi). Long-press your connected network name. Tap Manage or Edit. You should see a QR code — this code contains your password and network name in a format you can scan with another phone or device.

If you need the password as text instead of a QR code, the option may be labeled Show password or Advanced options. On Samsung phones, go to Settings > Connections > WiFi, long-press the network, and tap View. On Google Pixel phones, the QR code is usually the only option provided.

If you cannot find these options on your phone, check your device manufacturer's support page — some older Android versions or custom interfaces hide this information in different locations.

If you cannot remember the password at all

If no device in your home is currently connected to the WiFi network, you will need to access your router directly. Most routers have a reset button on the back — holding it for 10 to 15 seconds will reset the router to factory defaults, which means you will lose your current password and network name. After the reset, you can set up a new network and password using the router's setup app or web interface.

Alternatively, if you have access to the router's admin panel, you can log in and change the WiFi password from there. The router's IP address is usually printed on a sticker on the device itself — it is often 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. You will need the router's admin username and password, which is also usually on the sticker.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I view a WiFi password if I am not the one who set it up?

On Windows and Mac, yes — if you have a user account on that computer with administrator rights, you can view any saved password. On iPhone and Android, you can only view passwords for networks you have personally connected to. If someone else set up the network on a shared device, you will need their help or their login credentials.

What if the password field shows nothing even after I click Show?

This usually means the network was set up using a method that does not store the password in the normal way — for example, some enterprise networks use certificates instead of passwords. Contact your network administrator or the person who set up the network for the password.

Is it safe to view my WiFi password on a shared computer?

Anyone with access to that computer and administrator rights can view the password. If you share the computer with people you do not fully trust, consider changing your WiFi password after they use it, or ask your router manufacturer about guest network options that let visitors connect without knowing your main password.

Can I view the password if I forgot my Windows or Mac login?

No. Windows and Mac require your user login to display saved passwords. If you have forgotten your login, you will need to reset it through your Microsoft or Apple account, or contact your IT support if this is a work computer.