The simplest way depends on what device you're using
On an iPhone or iPad, you can share your WiFi password by holding your device near someone else's phone while they try to connect. Your phone will prompt you to share, and their device receives the password without you typing it out loud. This works only between Apple devices running iOS 13 or later, and both phones must have Bluetooth and WiFi turned on.
On Android, Windows, or Mac, there is no built-in share button. You will need to tell the person your password, show them a QR code, or use your router's guest network instead. Each method has different security trade-offs depending on who you're letting in and for how long.
The method you choose matters because sharing your main WiFi password gives someone access to your entire network — not just the internet connection, but potentially your printer, security cameras, and any files you've shared between devices. A guest network or QR code limits what they can see.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone-to-iPhone sharing is the fastest option and keeps you from saying your password out loud, but only works between Apple devices.
- A guest network lets visitors use your internet without knowing your main password, and you can turn it off when they leave.
- QR codes work across any device type and are safer than typing or speaking your password, but require your router to support them.
- Never text, email, or write down your main WiFi password for someone to use later — if they lose that message, anyone who finds it can access your network.
Using your router's guest network
Most home routers have a separate guest network built in. This is the safest option for people who visit occasionally because guests connect to a different network name and password than your main one. You can give them the guest password without exposing your primary network, and you can change or disable the guest network whenever you want.
To turn on your guest network, log into your router's settings. Open a web browser and type your router's IP address — usually printed on the router itself or in your setup paperwork — then enter your admin username and password. Look for a section called "Guest Network," "Guest WiFi," or "Guest Access," then turn it on and set a password. Write down the guest network name and password to give to visitors.
The guest network will appear as a separate option when someone searches for available WiFi. They connect to it the same way they would any other network, but they cannot see your main devices or access anything on your primary network. When guests leave, you can disable the guest network or change its password without affecting your main connection.
Creating and sharing a QR code
A QR code is a square barcode that someone can scan with their phone's camera to connect to your WiFi when ready. This method works on any phone — iPhone, Android, or others — and is faster than typing a long password. The person scanning does not need to know or remember your password.
To generate a QR code for your WiFi, use a free online generator like QiFi.org or WiFi QR Code Generator. Enter your network name (SSID), password, and security type — usually WPA2 or WPA3, which you can find in your router settings. The generator creates a QR code you can print, email, or display on your phone for someone to scan.
The advantage is that the QR code only works for your specific network and password combination. If someone takes a photo of the QR code, they still need to scan it with their phone to connect — they cannot easily share it as text or figure out your password from the image. However, anyone who sees the QR code can scan it and connect, so do not post it publicly or leave it visible to strangers.
Telling someone your password in person
If you must speak your password aloud, do it in a private space where others cannot overhear. Spell it out letter by letter, especially if it contains numbers or special characters that sound similar when spoken — say "zero" instead of "O," and "one" instead of "L." Ask them to repeat it back to you to confirm they heard it correctly.
The risk of speaking your password is that anyone nearby can hear it, and the person you tell might forget it, write it down somewhere unsafe, or share it with someone else later. If you are uncomfortable with this level of exposure, use a guest network or QR code instead.
After the person leaves, consider changing your main WiFi password if you told them the full one. This is especially important if you do not know them well or if they had access to your password for a long time. You do not need to change it if you used a guest network or QR code, since those do not expose your primary password.
What to avoid when sharing WiFi
Do not text or email your WiFi password. If the message is intercepted, lost, or forwarded to someone else, your password is now in someone else's hands permanently. Text and email are not find channels for passwords, even if the person you send it to is trustworthy.
Do not write your password on a piece of paper and leave it out. Guests, repair people, or family members might photograph it, share it, or lose it. If you must write it down, keep it in a find place and destroy it when the person no longer needs access.
Do not use the same password for your WiFi as you use for your email, bank account, or other important services. If someone gains access to your network, you do not want them to have a password that works elsewhere. Change your WiFi password to something unique that you use only for that network.
Changing your WiFi password after sharing it
If you shared your main WiFi password with someone and they no longer need access, change the password in your router settings. Log back into your router using the same method as before, find the WiFi password or security settings section, and create a new password. All your devices will disconnect temporarily, and you will need to reconnect them using the new password.
Changing the password disconnects anyone currently using your network, including the person you shared it with. It also means anyone who wrote down or saved your old password can no longer connect. This is the most direct way to revoke access if you gave out your main password instead of using a guest network.
If you used a guest network, you do not need to change your main password. straightforward disable the guest network or change only the guest password, which does not affect your primary connection or any of your devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone hack my network if they know my WiFi password?
Yes, knowing your WiFi password gives someone access to your network. They can see other devices connected to it, potentially access shared files, and use your internet for any purpose. This is why a guest network is safer for visitors — it limits what they can access even if they have the password.
Is it safe to share my WiFi password with a repair person or contractor?
Use your guest network instead of your main password. This lets them connect to the internet without exposing your primary network. If your router does not have a guest network, create a temporary one just for them, then disable it when they leave. Do not give them your main WiFi password.
What if I forgot my own WiFi password?
Log into your router's settings using your admin password — the one you use to access router settings, not the WiFi password. Look for the WiFi password or security settings section and view or change it there. If you forgot your admin password too, you will need to reset the router to factory settings, which erases all your settings and requires you to set up the router again from scratch.
Does sharing a QR code expose my password?
A QR code contains your network name and password in encoded form, but someone cannot read the password just by looking at the code. They must scan it with a phone to connect. However, anyone who sees the QR code can scan it and connect to your network, so do not share it with people you do not trust or post it where strangers can see it.
Can I share my WiFi password with someone who is not nearby?
You can email or text a QR code image, which is safer than sending the password as text. You can also generate a QR code and email the image file. The person receives the image, scans it with their phone, and connects without needing to type anything. Do not email or text your actual password as plain text.