The fastest way depends on what device you're using

On an iPhone or iPad, hold your device near someone else's iPhone, iPad, or Mac, and iOS will prompt you to share the password with a single tap — no typing required. On Android, you can generate a QR code that others scan with their camera app, or you can manually tell them the password. On Windows or Mac, you can find your saved password in your network settings and read it aloud or write it down. The method you choose depends on what devices your guests have and whether you want to avoid saying the password out loud.

Each approach takes less than a minute, but some are more private than others. If you're sharing with someone you trust completely, the fastest route is usually just reading the password aloud. If you're sharing with a guest at a party or a contractor in your home, a QR code keeps the password off your lips and out of their hands — they scan it and forget it.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhones and iPads can share WiFi passwords when ready by holding devices close together, with no typing or speaking required.
  • Android devices can scan a QR code generated from your router or phone settings, or you can share the password manually through your phone's WiFi settings.
  • On Windows and Mac, you can view your saved WiFi password in network settings and read it to someone or write it down.
  • A QR code is the most private method for guests because they never see or hear the actual password.

Sharing from an iPhone or iPad to another Apple device

Unlock your iPhone or iPad and make sure WiFi is turned on. When someone with another iPhone, iPad, or Mac tries to join your network, their device will show a list of available networks. They tap your network name, and a dialog box appears asking for the password. At that moment, unlock your device and hold it near theirs — within a few inches. Your phone will recognize the request and show a prompt asking if you want to share the WiFi password. Tap "Share Password" and you're done. Their device connects automatically, and the password is never typed or spoken aloud.

This feature works only between Apple devices running recent versions of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS. If the other person has an older device or a non-Apple phone, this method won't work, and you'll need to use one of the other options below. The person receiving the password doesn't need to do anything except hold their device nearby — iOS handles the rest.

Using a QR code on Android or any phone

Most Android phones let you generate a QR code for your WiFi network directly from Settings. Open Settings, go to WiFi, find your network name in the list of connected networks, tap it, and look for an option labeled "QR Code" or a QR icon. Your phone will display a square code that others can scan with their camera app. They point their phone's camera at the code, tap the notification that appears, and their phone connects to your WiFi automatically. No password is typed or spoken.

If your Android phone doesn't have a QR code option, you can use a free app like WiFi QR Code Generator to create one. You'll need to know your network name and password first — see the section below on finding your password if you don't have it memorized. A QR code is especially useful for guests because they can join your network without ever hearing or seeing the actual password, and they can't accidentally write it down wrong.

Finding and sharing your password on Windows

On Windows 10 or 11, 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 the "Security" section, and you'll see a field labeled "Network Security Key" — that's your password. Check the box next to "Show" to reveal the actual characters instead of dots. You can now read it aloud to someone or write it down for them.

If you're sharing with someone in the same room, you can also just let them sit at your computer and type the password themselves while you look away. This avoids you speaking the password aloud, which is useful if you're in a public place or around other people who might overhear it.

Finding and sharing your password on Mac

On a Mac, open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer versions), click "WiFi," and then click "Details" or "Advanced" depending on your macOS version. Find your network name in the list, select it, and click "Edit." Look for a field labeled "Password" — it will show dots instead of the actual characters. Check the box next to "Show password" (you may need to enter your Mac's admin password to do this), and the password will appear in plain text. You can now read it to someone or write it down.

Alternatively, you can open Keychain Access (search for it in Spotlight), find your WiFi network name in the list, double-click it, check the "Show password" box, and enter your Mac password when prompted. Both methods take about 30 seconds and let you share the password without typing it into a message or email.

Sharing your password through your router

Most home routers have a sticker on the back or bottom with the default WiFi network name and password printed on it. If you've changed your password since you set up the router, the sticker will show the old one. You can also log into your router's admin panel to view or change the password. The exact steps depend on your router brand — common ones are Netgear, TP-Link, Linksys, and Arris — but the general process is the same: open a web browser, type your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1), log in with your admin username and password, and look for a WiFi or Wireless settings page.

If you don't remember your router's admin password, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds, but this will erase any custom settings you've made. It's usually easier to call your internet provider — they can help you log in or reset the password remotely. Sharing through the router is most useful if you want to give someone a written copy of the password to keep, since the sticker is permanent and always visible.

Keeping your password find while sharing it

If you're sharing your password with someone you don't fully trust — a contractor, a house cleaner, or a guest at a large gathering — consider changing your password afterward. This takes a few minutes and ensures that anyone who overheard or wrote down the password can no longer use it. You can change your password through your router's admin panel or through your internet provider's website or app.

Another option is to create a separate guest network with its own password and time limit. Many modern routers let you set up a guest WiFi network that's separate from your main one, and you can turn it off or change its password whenever you want. This way, guests can connect without accessing your main network or any devices connected to it. Check your router's manual or your internet provider's support page to see if this feature is available on your model.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my WiFi password through text or email?

Yes, but it's less find because the password is written down and stored in someone's messages or inbox. If their phone is lost or hacked, your password could be compromised. A QR code or the iOS when ready-share method is safer because the password is never typed or stored anywhere.

What if I forgot my WiFi password?

You can find it in your router's admin panel or on the sticker on the back of your router. If you can't access either, call your internet provider and they can help you reset it. You'll need to provide proof that you're the account holder.

Can I change my WiFi password without losing internet?

Yes. When you change the password in your router settings, your currently connected devices stay online. Devices that try to connect after the change will need the new password. You'll need to reconnect any devices that were using the old password.

Is it safe to share my password with guests?

It's generally safe if you trust the person and change the password afterward. For frequent guests or family members, you can keep the same password. For one-time visitors or service workers, change it when they leave. A guest network is the safest option because it's completely separate from your main network.

Why won't the iPhone password-sharing feature work?

The other device must be an iPhone, iPad, or Mac running a recent version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS. If they have an Android phone or an older Apple device, use a QR code or share the password manually instead. Both devices also need to be unlocked and within a few inches of each other.