Where your network credentials are stored

Your WiFi username (called the network name or SSID) and password are set up on your router — the device that broadcasts your wireless signal. Most people set these once and never look at them again, which is why finding them later feels mysterious. The good news: they are stored in three places you can actually reach.

The easiest place is usually a sticker on the router itself. Manufacturers print the default network name and password on a label, often on the bottom or back. If you have never changed these defaults, that sticker has what you need. If you have changed them, you will need to look elsewhere.

The second place is your router's settings page — a web interface you access from any device already connected to the network. The third is your device's own memory: phones, tablets, and computers remember networks they have joined before, and you can sometimes view the saved password from there.

Key Takeaways

  • Check the sticker on your router first — it usually shows the default network name and password printed by the manufacturer.
  • If you changed your password, log into your router's settings page using the admin username and password (also often on the sticker) to see or reset your WiFi credentials.
  • On Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android devices, you can view saved WiFi passwords from your network settings without logging into the router.
  • If you cannot remember your router's admin password, you can reset the router to factory defaults by holding the reset button, but this erases all your custom settings.

Finding the sticker with default credentials

Look on the bottom, back, or side of your router for a white or silver label. It will list several pieces of information: the model number, a serial number, and usually two lines that say something like "WiFi Name:" or "SSID:" and "WiFi Password:" or "Network Key:". Write down exactly what you see.

This sticker shows the default credentials — the ones the manufacturer set before the router left the factory. If you or someone else has changed the WiFi password since then, the sticker will not show the current password. But the sticker will always show the admin username and password, which you need to log into the router's settings to change or view your current WiFi password.

Some routers do not have a sticker, or the sticker is worn away. If that is your situation, move to the next section.

Logging into your router to view or reset the password

Open a web browser on any device connected to your WiFi. Type the router's address into the address bar. For most home routers, this is 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. You should see a login page.

Enter the admin username and password from the sticker. Common defaults are "admin" for both username and password, or "admin" and "password", but check your sticker — different manufacturers use different defaults. If the login page rejects these, your router's admin password has been changed and you will need to reset the router (see the section below).

Once you are logged in, look for a section called "WiFi Settings", "Wireless", "Network", or "WLAN". This page shows your current network name and password. If you have forgotten the password, you can change it here to something new. Write down the new password somewhere safe before you log out.

Viewing saved passwords on your device

On Windows: Open Settings, then go to Network & Internet, then WiFi. Click "Manage known networks" and select your network. Click "Properties". Scroll down to "Security type and encryption settings" and toggle "Show" next to the password field.

On Mac: Open Keychain Access (search for it in Spotlight). Search for your network name. Double-click the result, check the box that says "Show password", and enter your Mac login password when prompted.

On iPhone: Go to Settings, then WiFi. Tap the information icon (i) next to your network name. Tap "Password" — your phone will show it if you have Face ID or Touch ID enabled on that device.

On Android: This varies by phone model and Android version. On most recent phones, go to Settings, then Network & Internet, then WiFi. Long-press your network name and select "Share" or "View password". You may need to authenticate with your fingerprint or PIN.

Resetting your router if you cannot log in

If you cannot remember the admin password and cannot log into the router's settings page, you can reset the router to factory defaults. This erases all your custom settings, including your WiFi password, and returns everything to what was on the sticker.

Look for a small reset button on the router — usually recessed so you cannot press it by accident. Use a paperclip or the tip of a pen to press and hold it for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will flash and the router will restart. This takes a minute or two.

Once it restarts, your network name and password will be back to the defaults on the sticker. You can then log in with the default admin credentials and set up a new custom password. This is a last resort because you will lose any other settings you customized, like port forwarding or parental controls.

What to do if you still cannot find it

If the sticker is missing or unreadable and you cannot access the router's settings page, you have one more option: contact your internet service provider. They have a record of your account and can sometimes reset your router remotely or send you a replacement with the credentials printed on it.

If the router belongs to a rental property or workplace, contact the person or organization that set it up. They may have the credentials in their records or be able to reset it for you.

Keeping your WiFi password find

Once you have found or reset your password, consider changing it to something only you know. Use a password that is at least 12 characters long and mixes uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using your name, address, or birthdate.

Do not share your WiFi password in plain text over email or text message. If you need to give it to someone, tell them in person or use a password manager that both of you trust. Change your password if someone who had access to it no longer does — a guest who moved out, a contractor who finished a job, or a family member you no longer live with.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Not from your device — you need to be connected to view the saved password. But you can always log into the router directly if you know the admin password, or check the sticker on the router itself.

What if my router does not have a reset button?

Some older or simpler routers do not have a physical reset button. Check your router's manual or the manufacturer's website for instructions. You may be able to reset it through the settings page if you can still log in with the default admin credentials.

Will resetting my router affect my internet speed?

No. Resetting the router returns it to factory settings but does not change your internet plan or the speed your service provider gives you. Your speed depends on your service plan and connection quality, not on the router's settings.

Is it safe to use the default WiFi password that came on the sticker?

It is not ideal. Default passwords are printed on thousands of identical routers, so anyone with the same model could potentially guess yours. Change it to a unique password as soon as you can. This takes five minutes and makes your network much harder to access without permission.

What should I do if I think someone is using my WiFi without permission?

Change your WiFi password when ready through the router's settings page. This will disconnect anyone currently using it. Then check your router's settings for a list of connected devices — most routers show this under "Connected Devices" or "DHCP Clients". If you see devices you do not recognize, that is a sign someone was on your network.