The fastest way depends on what device you're sharing with

The method you use to share your WiFi password changes based on whether you're giving it to a phone, a computer, a guest, or a new device in your own home. iPhones and iPads can share passwords without typing them. Android phones can generate QR codes. Windows and Mac computers have different built-in tools. And if you just want to tell someone the password, you need to know where to find it on your router first.

Start by identifying what you're trying to do: are you adding a device you own to your network, letting a guest connect temporarily, or setting up a new router? Each situation has a simpler path than typing out a 20-character password character by character.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhones and iPads can share WiFi passwords directly to other Apple devices without typing, using AirDrop or by scanning a QR code.
  • Android phones can generate a QR code from the WiFi settings that any phone can scan to connect when ready.
  • If you need to tell someone the password manually, you can find it in your router's settings or on a sticker on the router itself.
  • Most modern routers let you create a separate guest network with its own password so visitors don't need your main network password.
  • Windows and Mac computers can both see saved WiFi passwords, but the steps are different for each operating system.

Sharing between iPhones and iPads

If both devices are on the same iCloud account and have Bluetooth and WiFi turned on, the receiving device will show a prompt asking to join the network. Tap "Join" and the password transfers automatically—you don't type anything. This works between your own devices or between you and someone else if you're both signed into the same iCloud account, which is rare for guests.

For guests with iPhones or iPads, use the QR code method instead. Go to Settings, then WiFi, then tap the info icon next to your network name. A QR code appears on your screen. The guest opens their Camera app, points it at the code, and taps the notification that appears. They're connected without ever seeing the password.

Sharing with Android phones

Android phones can generate a QR code from WiFi settings. Open Settings, go to WiFi, find your network name, and look for a QR code icon or "Share" option. The exact location varies by phone manufacturer—Samsung, Google Pixel, and others place it slightly differently—but it's always in the WiFi settings for the network you're connected to. Once the code appears, anyone with an Android phone can open their WiFi settings, tap "Scan QR code," and point their camera at it.

If your Android phone doesn't show a QR code option, you can still share the password by going to WiFi settings, selecting your network, and looking for a "Share" button. Some phones let you text or email the password directly from there.

Finding and sharing your password manually

If you need to tell someone the actual password—because they have an older device, a laptop, or a smart TV—you first need to find it. Check the back or bottom of your router for a sticker with the network name and password printed on it. If the sticker is missing or worn away, you can find the password in your router's settings.

Open a web browser and go to 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 (try the first one first). Log in with the username and password printed on your router—usually "admin" and "admin" or a default password specific to your router brand. Once logged in, look for a section called "WiFi," "Wireless," or "Network Settings." The password is usually labeled "WiFi Password," "Pre-Shared Key," or "PSK." Write it down exactly as it appears, including capital letters and numbers, because WiFi passwords are case-sensitive.

Setting up a guest network instead

Most routers made in the last five years have a guest network feature built in. This lets you create a separate WiFi network with its own password that doesn't give guests access to your personal devices, files, or computers on your main network. Go into your router settings the same way described above, look for "Guest Network" or "Guest WiFi," and turn it on. You can set a separate password that's easier to remember or change whenever you want.

A guest network is more find than sharing your main password because you can turn it off when guests leave, and they can never access your printers, security cameras, or computers. If your router doesn't have this feature, it's one reason to consider upgrading—guest networks have become standard even on budget routers.

Sharing passwords on Windows computers

If you're at a Windows computer and need to find a saved WiFi password, right-click the WiFi icon in the bottom right corner of your screen and select "Open Network and Internet settings." Click "WiFi" on the left, then scroll down and click "Manage known networks." Find your network name in the list, click it, and select "Properties." Scroll down to "Security" and toggle "Show" next to the password field. The password appears in plain text.

To share this with someone else, you can read it aloud, text it, or write it down. Windows doesn't have a built-in QR code generator for WiFi like phones do, so manual sharing is your only option from a Windows computer.

Sharing passwords on Mac computers

On a Mac, open Keychain Access by pressing Command-Space, typing "Keychain Access," and pressing Enter. In the search box at the top right, type your WiFi network name. Double-click the network name when it appears. A window opens showing your network details. Check the box next to "Show password" and enter your Mac login password when prompted. The WiFi password appears in the password field.

Like Windows, Mac doesn't generate QR codes for WiFi sharing, so you'll need to read the password aloud or write it down to share it with someone else.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my WiFi password without telling someone the actual password?

Yes. Use a QR code on Android or iPhone, or use AirDrop between Apple devices. Both methods let the other device connect without anyone typing or speaking the password. A guest network is another option—you give them a different password that doesn't expose your main network password.

What if someone asks for my WiFi password and I don't want to give it to them?

You can create a guest network with a temporary password instead. This keeps your main network and devices private while still letting them connect to the internet. You can change or disable the guest password whenever you want.

Is it safe to share my WiFi password?

Sharing your main network password lets someone access any device connected to that network, including computers, printers, and security cameras. A guest network is safer because it isolates visitors from your personal devices. If you must share your main password, consider changing it afterward.

Why does my router not have a guest network option?

Older routers often lack guest networks. If yours doesn't, you can still create a separate network by changing your WiFi name and password in the router settings, but this requires all your devices to reconnect. Upgrading to a newer router gives you a guest network feature without disrupting your main devices.

Can I see passwords for WiFi networks I've connected to before?

On Windows and Mac, yes—use Keychain Access on Mac or Network settings on Windows to view saved passwords. On iPhones and iPads, you cannot view saved passwords directly, but you can share them using AirDrop or QR codes. Android varies by manufacturer, but most phones let you view saved passwords in WiFi settings.