The fastest way: use AirDrop if both devices are signed into the same iCloud account

When your iPhone and Mac are both signed into the same iCloud account and are near each other, iOS and macOS can pass the WiFi password automatically. Your Mac will see the network your iPhone is connected to, ask you to confirm, and then connect without you typing anything. This works because both devices trust each other through iCloud.

To make this work, open WiFi settings on your Mac, select the network your iPhone is using, and click "Connect". Your iPhone will show a prompt asking if you want to share the password. Tap "Share Password" and your Mac connects when ready. The whole process takes about ten seconds and requires no typing.

This method only works if both devices are within Bluetooth range (roughly 30 feet), both have Bluetooth turned on, and both are signed into iCloud with the same Apple ID. If any of those conditions are not met, you will need to type the password manually or use one of the other methods below.

Key Takeaways

  • The automatic AirDrop method works only if your iPhone and Mac share the same iCloud account and are within Bluetooth range of each other.
  • If automatic sharing does not work, you can find the password in iPhone Settings under WiFi, tap the network name, and read the password from the Details screen.
  • On your Mac, go to System Settings, click WiFi, select the network, and type the password your iPhone shows you.
  • If you have forgotten the password entirely, you can reset it through your router's admin panel or contact your internet provider.

Finding the password on your iPhone when automatic sharing does not work

If your devices are not signed into the same iCloud account or are too far apart, you can still retrieve the password from your iPhone and type it into your Mac manually. Open Settings on your iPhone, tap WiFi, and find the network name you want to share. Tap the network name (not the connect button) to open its details.

Look for a field labeled "Password" — on newer iPhones running iOS 16 or later, this appears directly on the details screen. On older versions, you may need to scroll down or look under a "Details" or "Info" section. The password will be visible as dots or asterisks; tap and hold on the password field to reveal the actual characters. You can now read it aloud, take a screenshot, or write it down to share with your Mac.

This method works on any iPhone and does not require iCloud to be set up the same way on both devices. It is also useful if you need to share the password with someone else or if your Mac is not nearby.

Entering the password on your Mac

On your Mac, click the WiFi icon in the menu bar (top right of the screen) and select the network name from the list. A dialog box will appear asking for the password. Type the password exactly as it appears on your iPhone — passwords are case-sensitive, so uppercase and lowercase letters matter.

If you make a mistake, macOS will tell you the password is incorrect and let you try again. Once you enter the correct password, your Mac will connect to the network and remember it for future use. You will not need to enter it again unless you forget the network or reset your Mac's network settings.

Using Keychain if you have already connected before

If your Mac has connected to this WiFi network before, the password may already be stored in your Mac's Keychain — the system that remembers passwords for networks and websites. To check, open Keychain Access (search for it in Spotlight by pressing Command-Space and typing "Keychain Access"). Look for the network name in the list, double-click it, and check the box that says "Show password". Your Mac will ask for your user account password to reveal it.

This method only works if your Mac has previously connected to the network. If the network is brand new to your Mac, Keychain will not have the password stored yet, and you will need to retrieve it from your iPhone as described above.

Resetting the password through your router if you have forgotten it entirely

If neither your iPhone nor your Mac can connect to the network and you have forgotten the password, you can reset it by accessing your router's admin panel. Most routers have a small reset button on the back; holding it for ten seconds will reset the router to factory settings, which usually means the network name and password return to the defaults printed on a sticker on the router itself.

Alternatively, you can log into your router's admin panel by opening a web browser on any device connected to the network, typing the router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into the address bar, and signing in with the admin username and password (also often printed on the router). From there you can change the WiFi password to something new.

If you do not know the admin password or cannot access the router, contact your internet provider — they can reset it remotely or walk you through the process. Resetting the router will disconnect all devices currently using that network, so do this only when necessary.

What to do if your devices will not connect even with the correct password

If you have entered the password correctly but your Mac still will not connect, try these steps in order. First, restart your Mac's WiFi by clicking the WiFi icon in the menu bar and selecting "Turn WiFi Off", waiting five seconds, then clicking it again and selecting the network. Second, restart your Mac entirely by going to the Apple menu and selecting "Restart".

If that does not work, "forget" the network on your Mac so it stops trying to connect with old or incorrect information. Go to System Settings, click WiFi, find the network name, click the info icon next to it, and select "Forget This Network". Then try connecting again from scratch with the password from your iPhone.

If your iPhone connects fine but your Mac still will not, the problem may be with your Mac's WiFi hardware rather than the password. Try connecting your Mac to a different WiFi network (at a coffee shop or friend's house) to see if it works. If it does not, your Mac's WiFi card may need service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the automatic password sharing not work even though we have the same iCloud account?

The most common reason is that Bluetooth is turned off on one or both devices, or they are too far apart. Check that both devices have Bluetooth enabled in their settings and are within 30 feet of each other. Also make sure both devices are unlocked and awake — if your Mac is asleep or your iPhone is locked, the prompt may not appear.

Can I see the WiFi password on my iPhone if I did not set up the network myself?

Yes. Any iPhone user can view the password for any network they are currently connected to by going to Settings, WiFi, tapping the network name, and looking at the Password field. You do not need to be the network owner or have any special permissions.

What if I type the password and my Mac says it is incorrect, but my iPhone is connected fine?

Double-check that you are typing it exactly as shown on your iPhone, including uppercase and lowercase letters and any special characters. Passwords are case-sensitive. If you are certain it is correct, try forgetting the network on your Mac and connecting again. If that still does not work, restart both devices and try once more.

Will my Mac remember the password after I enter it once?

Yes. Once you successfully connect to a WiFi network on your Mac, the password is stored in Keychain and your Mac will connect automatically whenever that network is in range. You will not need to enter the password again unless you reset your Mac or manually forget the network.

Can I share a WiFi password from my iPhone to a Windows computer?

No. The automatic AirDrop sharing only works between Apple devices. For a Windows computer, you will need to retrieve the password from your iPhone and type it manually into the Windows WiFi settings, just as you would for any other network.