The fastest way depends on what device you're using right now

Your WiFi password lives in three places: on the router itself (usually a sticker on the back or bottom), in your router's settings page (which you reach through a web browser), or in your device's stored network settings. Which one you use depends on whether you need it right now to connect a new device, or whether you're trying to remember a password you set months ago.

If you're sitting next to your router, the sticker is fastest — most routers ship with the default password printed there. If you're across the house or the sticker is worn off, your device's network settings usually hold the answer. If you changed the password and can't find it anywhere, the router's settings page is your last option, but it requires you to already be connected to the internet or to reset the router.

Key Takeaways

  • Most routers have the WiFi password printed on a sticker on the back or bottom, labeled as "Network Key" or "WiFi Password".
  • Windows and Mac computers store your WiFi password in their network settings and can display it if you already have the password saved.
  • iPhones and Android phones can show a saved WiFi password through their settings, though the steps differ between the two.
  • If you cannot find the password anywhere, you can log into your router's settings page using the router's default username and password, usually printed on the same sticker.

Finding the password on the router itself

Walk to your router and look for a sticker on the back, bottom, or side. The sticker usually shows the network name (called the SSID) and the password next to it. The password might be labeled "Network Key", "WiFi Password", "Security Key", or sometimes just "Key". Write down exactly what you see — passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword".

If the sticker is faded or missing, check any paperwork that came with your router or your internet bill. Your internet provider sometimes includes the default password in the welcome packet. If you have neither the sticker nor the paperwork, you can still reach your password through your device's settings or through the router's settings page.

Retrieving the password from a Windows computer

If your Windows computer is already connected to the WiFi network, you can see the password without leaving your desk. Right-click the WiFi icon in the bottom right corner of your screen (the icon that looks like radiating lines or bars). Select "Open Network and Internet settings".

In the window that opens, look for "WiFi" on the left side and click it. You should see your network name listed under "Known networks". Click on your network name, then click "Manage known networks". Find your network in the list and click it. Select "Manage" and then look for a button or link that says "Show" next to the password field. Windows will ask you to confirm your computer password before displaying it.

If you do not see a "Show" option, your Windows version may require a different path: go to Settings, then Network & Internet, then WiFi, then "Manage known networks", select your network, and look for "Security type and password info" — the password appears there when you click it.

Retrieving the password from a Mac computer

Open Keychain Access by pressing Command + Space, typing "keychain", and pressing Enter. In the window that opens, make sure you are on the "Passwords" tab (you should see it at the top). In the search box at the top right, type your network name — the name you see when you look for WiFi networks on your Mac.

When your network appears in the list, double-click it. A small window will open showing details about that network. At the bottom, check the box next to "Show password". Your Mac will ask for your computer password. Enter it, and the WiFi password will appear in the password field.

Retrieving the password from an iPhone

iPhones do not display saved passwords in the Settings app the way computers do, but you can see the password if you have access to your iCloud account. Open Settings, tap "WiFi", find your network name in the list, and tap the information icon (a small circle with an "i" inside it). You will see the network name and security type, but not the password on this screen.

To see the actual password, you need to use a Mac computer or another Apple device signed into the same iCloud account. Follow the Mac steps above, and the password will appear. Alternatively, if you have access to your router's settings page, you can see the password there — this method works from any device, including your iPhone.

Retrieving the password from an Android phone

Android phones store WiFi passwords, but the method to view them depends on your phone's manufacturer and Android version. On most recent Android phones, open Settings, tap "Network and Internet" or "Connections", then "WiFi". Tap the network you are connected to (or the gear icon next to it). Look for "Password" or "Security" — on some phones, you can tap "Show password" directly. On others, you may see only the security type, not the password itself.

If your phone does not show the password in Settings, you have two options: use a computer to check the password through the methods above, or log into your router's settings page from your phone's web browser. Some Android phones also allow you to share the WiFi password with another device by opening Settings, finding the connected network, and looking for a "Share" or "QR Code" option — this lets another phone connect without typing the password.

Accessing your password through the router's settings page

If you cannot find the password on the sticker or in your device settings, you can log into the router itself. Open a web browser on any device connected to your WiFi and type the router's address into the address bar. The address is usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 — check your router's sticker to confirm which one yours uses.

When the login page appears, enter the username and password printed on your router's sticker. These are usually "admin" and "admin", or "admin" and a default password specific to your router model. Once you are logged in, look for a section called "WiFi", "Wireless", "Network", or "Security". Inside that section, you should see a field labeled "Password", "Network Key", or "Pre-Shared Key" — that is your WiFi password.

If you changed the default username and password for your router and cannot remember them, you will need to reset the router to its factory settings. This erases all your custom settings, including the WiFi password you set. To reset, hold down the small reset button on the back of the router for 10 to 15 seconds while it is powered on. The router will restart and return to its default settings, and you can then log in using the default credentials on the sticker.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the sticker on my router is completely worn off?

Check any paperwork that came with your router or your internet bill — your provider often includes the default password there. If you have neither, try logging into your router's settings page using the default username and password for your router model (search online for "[your router model] default password"). If that does not work, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding the reset button, which will restore the default password printed on the sticker.

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

Not through your device's settings — you need to already be connected to see a stored password. However, you can access the password through your router's settings page if you have internet access from another source (like mobile data), or you can look at the sticker on the router itself. If you have neither option, you will need to reset the router to see the default password.

Is it safe to share my WiFi password with someone?

Yes, sharing your password is safe in the sense that it does not expose your personal files or accounts — it only lets them connect to your internet. However, anyone with your password can use your internet bandwidth and potentially see other devices on your network. If you want to let a guest connect without sharing your main password, many routers allow you to create a separate guest network with its own password through the router's settings page.

Why does my password look different on the sticker than what I remember typing?

The sticker shows the default password that came with your router. If you changed it after setup, the new password you created will not appear on the sticker — it will only appear in your device's network settings or in the router's settings page. If you cannot remember the password you set, you can reset the router to restore the default password on the sticker.

What if I see multiple networks with similar names?

Most modern routers broadcast two networks at once: one for 2.4 GHz and one for 5 GHz (sometimes labeled with "5G" or "-5" at the end of the name). Both use the same password. Some routers also broadcast a guest network with a different name and password. Check your router's sticker or settings page to see which networks are yours and which password belongs to each one.