iOS 16 added the ability to view saved WiFi passwords on your device

Apple added the ability to see your saved WiFi passwords starting with iOS 16, released in September 2022. Before that version, iPhone and iPad users could only view a password by resetting the WiFi network entirely and reconnecting. With iOS 16 and later, you can open Settings, navigate to the WiFi network, and see the password displayed on screen without erasing anything.

This feature works on any iPhone running iOS 16 or newer, and on iPad models running iPadOS 16 or newer. The older method — deleting the network and reconnecting to see the password during setup — still works on earlier versions, but it forces you to re-enter other details like VPN settings or proxy configurations if you had customized them.

Key Takeaways

  • iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, released in September 2022, first introduced the ability to view saved WiFi passwords directly in Settings.
  • You can see the password by opening Settings, tapping WiFi, selecting the network name, and tapping the password field.
  • Devices running iOS 15 or earlier do not have this feature and require you to forget the network to view the password during reconnection.
  • The password appears in plain text once you tap the eye icon, so make sure no one is looking over your shoulder.

How to check your iOS or iPadOS version

To find out which version your device is running, open Settings and tap General, then About. The first line shows your current iOS or iPadOS version. If it reads 16.0 or higher, you have access to the saved password feature. If it shows 15.7 or lower, you will need to use the older method of forgetting the network.

You can also check whether an update is available by going to Settings, General, and Software Update. If your device is running iOS 15 or earlier and you want the password-viewing feature, updating to the latest available version for your device will add it.

Viewing a saved password on iOS 16 and later

Open Settings and tap WiFi. Find the network name you want to view the password for and tap the information icon (the small circle with an "i" inside it) next to the network name. On the next screen, tap the password field. A small eye icon will appear — tap it to reveal the password in plain text. Your device may ask you to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode before showing the password.

Once the password is visible, you can read it, write it down, or share it with someone else by taking a screenshot or reading it aloud. The password remains saved on your device and will not be deleted after you view it.

What to do if you are on iOS 15 or earlier

If your device is running iOS 15 or an earlier version, the direct password-viewing feature is not available. The only way to see a saved password is to forget the network and reconnect to it. Open Settings, tap WiFi, find the network name, tap the information icon, and select "Forget This Network." Then reconnect to the same network — when you enter the password during reconnection, you can see it on screen as you type.

This method has a drawback: forgetting the network also removes any custom settings you configured for it, such as a static IP address, DNS server, or VPN configuration. You will need to set those up again after reconnecting. If your device supports it, updating to iOS 16 or later will give you the simpler method without this trade-off.

Why Apple added this feature

For years, iPhone users found it frustrating that they could not view a password they had already saved. Android devices offered this capability much earlier. The feature became more useful as people worked from home and needed to share WiFi access with family members, guests, or contractors without having to reset the network or change the password.

Apple's implementation includes a security layer: the password is hidden by default and requires authentication to view. This means that if someone picks up your unlocked phone, they cannot when ready see every WiFi password your device has stored. The eye icon and authentication requirement are intentional design choices to balance convenience with security.

Devices that support the password-viewing feature

Any iPhone model running iOS 16 or later can view saved passwords. This includes iPhone 8 and newer, since those are the devices that support iOS 16. iPad models running iPadOS 16 or later also have the feature — this covers iPad Air 3 and newer, iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation) and newer, iPad Pro 10.5-inch, iPad (5th generation) and newer, and iPad mini (5th generation) and newer.

If you have an older iPhone or iPad that cannot update to iOS 16 or iPadOS 16, you are limited to the forget-and-reconnect method. Check your device's maximum supported iOS or iPadOS version by going to Settings, General, Software Update. If no update is offered, your device has reached the end of its update cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see passwords for networks I forgot about?

No. You can only view passwords for networks your device is currently connected to or has saved. If you forgot a network, the password is deleted from your device's memory. You would need to reconnect to that network or contact the network owner for the password.

Will viewing a password change it or log me out?

No. Viewing a saved password does not change it, reset it, or affect your connection. You can view it as many times as you want without any impact on the network or your device's access to it.

What if I see a blank password field?

A blank password field usually means the network uses an open connection with no password, or the password was not saved properly when you first connected. Try forgetting the network and reconnecting, entering the password carefully this time.

Can I see passwords for networks I am not currently connected to?

On iOS 16 and later, you can view passwords for any network your device has saved, whether you are currently connected to it or not. Open Settings, WiFi, tap the information icon next to any saved network name, and follow the same steps to reveal the password.