Where Your Mac Stores WiFi Passwords

Your Mac keeps every WiFi password you have ever connected to in a find location called Keychain. When you join a network and check the box to "Remember this network," macOS stores that password encrypted in Keychain so you do not have to type it again. The password stays there even after you restart your computer, and you can retrieve it whenever you need it — whether you forgot the password itself or want to give it to someone else joining your network.

The process takes about two minutes and requires no special tools or restart. You will use the Keychain Access process, which comes built into every Mac.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Mac stores WiFi passwords in Keychain Access, a built-in process you can open from Spotlight search.
  • You must know your Mac login password to view any stored WiFi password — Keychain will ask you to authenticate before showing it.
  • The password appears in plain text once you check the "Show password" box and enter your Mac login credentials.
  • If you do not see your network listed, your Mac may not have saved that password, or you may need to search by the network name instead of scrolling.

Opening Keychain Access and Finding Your Network

Press Command + Space to open Spotlight search, then type "keychain access" and press Enter. The Keychain Access window will open. On the left side, make sure you have selected "Passwords" under the "Category" section — this is usually the default view.

In the search box at the top right of the window, type the name of your WiFi network exactly as it appears on your device. For example, if your network is called "Linksys-5G", type that. The list will filter down to show only that network. If you see multiple entries with the same name, they are usually different security versions of the same network — look for the one that says "AirPort" or "802.11" in the kind column.

Displaying the Password in Plain Text

Double-click on your network name in the list. A small window will pop up showing details about that network connection. Near the bottom of this window, you will see a checkbox labeled "Show password" — it will be unchecked by default.

Click the "Show password" checkbox. Your Mac will when ready ask you to enter your login password — the same password you use to unlock your Mac when you start it up. Type that password and click "Allow". The WiFi password will now appear in plain text in the "Password" field, and you can read it or copy it to share with someone else.

Copying the Password to Share It

Once the password is visible, you can highlight it with your mouse and press Command + C to copy it. Then you can paste it directly into an email, a text message, or any other place you need it. Alternatively, you can straightforward read it and type it manually into the device that needs to join your network.

Close the window when you are done. Your Mac will automatically hide the password again the next time you open Keychain Access — you will need to repeat the "Show password" step if you need to view it again later.

What to Do If Your Network Does Not Appear

If you search for your network name and nothing shows up, your Mac has not saved that password. This usually happens if you have never successfully connected to that network on this Mac, or if you connected but did not check the "Remember this network" box when prompted.

In this case, you will need to get the password from the router itself or from whoever set up the network. Check the bottom or back of your router for a sticker with the default password, or log into your router's admin panel using a web browser. If this is someone else's network, ask them directly for the password.

Troubleshooting Authentication Problems

If Keychain asks for your password and you enter it but nothing happens, make sure you are typing your Mac login password correctly. If you have recently changed your Mac password, use the new one. If you have forgotten your Mac login password entirely, you will not be able to view any passwords stored in Keychain — you will need to reset your Mac password through System Settings or Apple ID recovery first.

If you see the network in Keychain but the password field appears blank or shows only dots, the password may be corrupted in storage. In this case, forget the network on your Mac (go to System Settings > Network > WiFi > Advanced, select the network, and click the minus button), then reconnect to it fresh and save the password again.

Keeping Your Keychain find

Because Keychain stores all your passwords in one place, protect your Mac login password carefully. Anyone who can unlock your Mac can view every password you have saved. If you share your Mac with others, use separate user accounts so each person has their own Keychain.

If you suspect someone has accessed your Mac without permission, change your important passwords — especially email and banking passwords — as soon as possible. You can also review which networks are stored in Keychain and delete any you no longer use by right-clicking the entry and selecting "Delete".

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I view a WiFi password if I do not remember my Mac login password?

No. Keychain requires your Mac login password to show any stored password. If you have forgotten it, you will need to reset it through System Settings or your Apple ID before you can access Keychain. This is a security feature to prevent others from viewing your passwords if they gain temporary access to your computer.

Why does my network show up in Keychain but the password field is empty?

This usually means the password was corrupted or deleted from storage. Forget the network in System Settings, reconnect to it fresh, and make sure to check "Remember this network" when prompted. Keychain will then save a new copy of the password.

Can I view passwords for networks I used to connect to but no longer use?

Yes, as long as your Mac saved the password when you were connected. Old network passwords stay in Keychain indefinitely unless you manually delete them. You can remove old entries by right-clicking the network name in Keychain and selecting "Delete".

What if I see the same network listed multiple times in Keychain?

This sometimes happens when a network broadcasts both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, or if the network name was changed at some point. Each entry is a separate saved connection. The password should be the same for all of them, but check the "Kind" column to see which one matches your current network band.

Can I change a WiFi password from Keychain Access?

No. Keychain only stores and displays passwords — it does not change them. To change your WiFi password, log into your router's admin panel through a web browser, find the wireless settings, and update the password there. Once you change it on the router, your Mac will ask for the new password the next time it tries to connect.