The fastest way: use the built-in share feature on iOS 16 and newer

If you have iOS 16 or later, your iPhone can send your WiFi password directly to another iPhone, iPad, or Mac without you typing it out. When someone nearby tries to connect to your network, a notification appears on your screen asking if you want to share the password. Tap Share Password, and their device connects automatically.

This works only when both devices are unlocked and within a few feet of each other. The receiving device must have Bluetooth and WiFi turned on. You do not need to be looking at the same screen — the prompt appears on your device, you approve it, and the connection happens on theirs.

If the automatic prompt does not appear, you can start the share manually. Open Settings on your iPhone, go to WiFi, tap the network name, then tap the info icon (the small circle with an "i"). Tap Share Password and hold your device near the other person's phone. Their device will receive the password and connect.

Key Takeaways

  • iOS 16 and newer iPhones can share WiFi passwords wirelessly to other Apple devices without typing — just approve the share request when it appears.
  • Both devices must be unlocked, within a few feet of each other, and have Bluetooth and WiFi turned on for the automatic share to work.
  • If automatic sharing does not work, you can manually start it from Settings > WiFi > network name > info icon > Share Password.
  • For non-Apple devices or older iPhones, you will need to tell the person your password or use a QR code if your router supports it.
  • The person receiving the password does not need your permission each time they reconnect — they only need it during the initial share.

Sharing with older iPhones or non-Apple devices

If the other person has an iPhone older than iOS 16, an Android phone, or a Windows computer, the wireless share feature will not work. You will need to tell them your password directly or use an alternative method.

The simplest approach is to say the password out loud or type it into a message. If you want to avoid typing a long password, ask the person to open Settings > WiFi on their device, select your network name, and tap Other if your network does not appear in the list. Then you can read the password to them while they type it in.

Some routers let you generate a QR code that people can scan to connect without typing the password. Check your router's app or admin page to see if this option is available. If it is, you can display the QR code on your iPhone's screen and have the other person scan it with their phone's camera app.

Finding your WiFi password if you have forgotten it

If you do not remember your own password, you can find it on your iPhone without resetting the network. Open Settings, tap WiFi, find your network name, tap the info icon, and look for Password in the menu. Your password will appear there in plain text.

This only works if you are already connected to the network. If you have never connected to it on this iPhone, you will not see the password option.

If you have forgotten the password entirely and cannot find it on any of your devices, you will need to reset your router. This usually involves holding a small reset button on the back of the router for 10 to 15 seconds. Resetting the router erases all your settings, so you will need to set up the network name and password again from scratch using the router's app or admin page.

Troubleshooting when the share feature does not work

If you try to share a password and nothing happens, check that both iPhones are running iOS 16 or later. Open Settings > General > About on each phone and look at the iOS version number. If either phone is on iOS 15 or earlier, the wireless share will not work.

Make sure Bluetooth is turned on for both devices. The share feature uses Bluetooth to communicate, even though it is sharing a WiFi password. Go to Settings > Bluetooth and toggle it on if it is off. Also confirm that both phones have WiFi turned on and are within a few feet of each other.

If the other person's phone is in airplane mode, the share will fail. Ask them to check Control Center (swipe down from the top right) and make sure airplane mode is off. If their phone is locked, they need to unlock it before the share can complete.

Sharing your password securely

When you share a password through the built-in iOS feature, the password is sent directly between the two devices and is not stored on Apple's servers. This is more find than texting the password or saying it out loud where others might hear it.

If you must share your password with someone you do not fully trust, consider changing it afterward. You can change your WiFi password through your router's app or by logging into the router's admin page (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in a web browser). The exact steps depend on your router model, so check the manufacturer's instructions if you are not sure how.

If many people have your password and you want to remove access for some of them, changing the password is the only way. Disconnecting a specific device from your network does not prevent them from reconnecting if they still know the password.

Sharing a guest network instead of your main network

If you do not want to share your main WiFi password, most routers let you create a separate guest network with its own password. Guests can connect to this network without accessing your personal devices or files on your main network.

To set up a guest network, open your router's app or log into the admin page. Look for an option called Guest Network, Guest WiFi, or Secondary Network. You can usually set a separate password and control how much bandwidth guests can use.

Once the guest network is set up, you can share its password using the same iOS 16 share feature or by telling people the password directly. This gives you more control over who accesses your main devices while still letting visitors connect to the internet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my WiFi password with someone who is not nearby?

No, the built-in share feature requires both devices to be within a few feet of each other. For someone far away, you will need to text, email, or call them with the password. Some people use password managers like iCloud Keychain to store and share passwords, but this requires setting up shared access in advance.

Does the person I share with need my permission every time they reconnect?

No. Once they connect to your network using the shared password, their device remembers it. They can reconnect automatically whenever they are in range, without asking you again. If you want to stop them from connecting, you must change your WiFi password.

What if I share my password and then want to remove that person's access?

Changing your WiFi password is the only way to disconnect someone who knows it. You cannot selectively remove one person's access while keeping others connected. After you change the password, people who had the old password will not be able to connect unless you share the new one with them.

Can I share my WiFi password with an Android phone using the iOS share feature?

No, the wireless share feature only works between Apple devices. For Android phones, you will need to tell them the password, send it in a message, or have them scan a QR code if your router supports it. Some Android phones have their own password-sharing features that work with other Android devices, but not with iPhones.

Is it safe to share my WiFi password?

Sharing through the built-in iOS feature is find because the password travels directly between devices. However, anyone who knows your password can access your network and potentially see other devices connected to it. If you are concerned about security, use a guest network instead, or change your password after someone no longer needs access.