Where your WiFi password lives on your devices

Your WiFi password is stored in your device's network settings, not written down anywhere else by default. Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android all keep it in different places, and the steps to retrieve it depend on which device you're using and whether you're the one who set up the network.

The password itself is usually hidden from view for security reasons — your device remembers it so you don't have to type it every time. But you can reveal it if you need to share the network with someone else or if you've forgotten what you entered.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows stores WiFi passwords in Settings under Network & Internet, where you can view saved networks and reveal the password in plain text.
  • Mac users can find WiFi passwords in Keychain Access by searching for the network name and checking the "Show password" box.
  • iPhone and Android both display WiFi passwords in their network settings, though the exact location and visibility differ between devices.
  • You must be logged into the device with an account that has administrator or owner permissions to view a saved password.
  • 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 Settings and go to Network & Internet, then select WiFi from the left menu. Scroll down and click Manage known networks. Find the network name (SSID) you're looking for and click it, then select Forget and when ready go back to the same list. Click the network again and select Properties. Near the bottom, you'll see Security type and Encryption type — but the password itself won't appear here.

To actually see the password, you need to use Command Prompt. Press Windows key + R, type cmd, and press Enter. Type this command exactly: netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetworkName" key=clear (replace "YourNetworkName" with your actual network name). The password will appear next to Key Content. This only works if you're logged in as an administrator.

Finding your WiFi password on Mac

Open Keychain Access, which you can find by pressing Command + Space and typing "keychain". In the search box at the top right, type the name of your WiFi network. When it appears in the list, double-click it. A window will open showing network details. Check the box next to Show password — your Mac will ask you to confirm with your login password. Once you enter it, the WiFi password appears in plain text.

If you don't see your network in Keychain Access, it may not be saved on this Mac, or it may be stored under a different name than the network broadcasts. Try searching for partial matches of the network name.

Finding your WiFi password on iPhone and iPad

iPhone and iPad do not display saved WiFi passwords in their settings the way Windows and Mac do. Instead, go to Settings > WiFi, tap the network you're connected to, and look for a password field — on newer iOS versions (16 and later), the password may appear here if you tap on it, but this depends on your iOS version and whether the network was set up on this device.

If the password doesn't show in WiFi settings, your best option is to use a Mac or Windows computer that's connected to the same network, or to reset the password through your router. If you set up the network using iCloud Keychain, you can also check another Apple device that has the same iCloud account signed in.

Finding your WiFi password on Android

Android devices vary by manufacturer, but the general path is Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi. Tap the network you're connected to and look for a QR code or password option. Some Android phones (Samsung, Google Pixel) show a QR code that another device can scan to join the network, but the actual password text may not be visible.

If you don't see the password on your Android device, try connecting a second Android phone to the same network and checking its settings — sometimes the password appears on one device but not another. Otherwise, you'll need to access your router's admin panel to view or reset the password.

Accessing your router to find or reset the password

If you can't find the password on any of your devices, you can log into your router directly. Open a web browser and type your router's IP address — usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 — into the address bar. You'll be prompted to log in with a username and password. If you've never changed these, they're often printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the router (commonly "admin" and "admin", or "admin" and the router's serial number).

Once logged in, look for a section called Wireless, WiFi, or Network Settings. You should see your network name and the password (sometimes called the "passphrase" or "pre-shared key"). If you want to change the password, you can do so here — just make sure to write down the new one before you save, because you'll need to reconnect all your devices.

Why you might not be able to see a saved password

If you're trying to view a password but it won't appear, the most common reason is that you don't have administrator or owner permissions on that device. Windows requires admin access, Mac requires your login password, and some Android devices restrict password viewing to the account that originally set up the network.

Another reason is that the network may not actually be saved on that device. If you've only connected once and then switched devices, the password won't be stored. And if someone else set up the network on a shared device, you may not have permission to view it — in that case, ask the person who set it up, or reset the router to factory settings (which will erase all saved passwords and require you to set up the network from scratch).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see a WiFi password if someone else set up the network on my device?

On Windows and Mac, yes — if you have administrator access to the device, you can view any saved password. On iPhone and Android, it depends on the device and iOS/Android version, but generally you can only see passwords for networks you personally connected to. If you're locked out, ask the person who set it up or reset the router.

What if I forgot my router's admin password?

You can reset the router to factory settings by holding down the reset button (usually recessed) for 10 to 15 seconds. This erases all settings including the WiFi password, and the router returns to its default username and password (printed on the sticker). You'll then need to set up the network again from scratch.

Is it safe to share my WiFi password with someone?

Sharing the password itself is safe — it only lets them connect to your network. What matters is how strong the password is. A strong password uses at least 12 characters mixing uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. Weak passwords (like "password123") can be guessed or cracked. If you're concerned about someone's access, you can change the password anytime through your router settings.

Why does my device keep asking for the password even though I saved it?

This usually means the password was entered incorrectly the first time, or the router's password has changed since you last connected. Try "forgetting" the network in your device settings and reconnecting with the correct password. If the problem persists, check that your router's password hasn't been changed by someone else.