The fastest way: use AirDrop on the same network

If your iPhone and Mac are both on the same WiFi network and both have Bluetooth turned on, the simplest method is AirDrop. When you try to connect your iPhone to that WiFi network, your Mac can send the password directly to your phone without you typing it. This works because both devices are signed into the same iCloud account and trust each other.

Here's what happens: you open WiFi settings on your iPhone, tap the network name, and a prompt appears asking if you want to use AirDrop to get the password from your Mac. You tap "Share Password" on your Mac, and the iPhone connects when ready. No typing required. This is the method Apple designed for exactly this situation.

The catch is that both devices must already be on the same WiFi network, and both must have Bluetooth on. If your Mac is not yet connected to the network, or if Bluetooth is off on either device, you'll need to use one of the other methods below.

Key Takeaways

  • AirDrop is the fastest method if both devices are on the same network and have Bluetooth enabled, because your Mac can send the password without you typing it.
  • If AirDrop doesn't work, you can find the password stored in Keychain on your Mac and type it manually into your iPhone.
  • The Keychain method requires you to open System Settings on your Mac, navigate to Passwords, and search for the network name.
  • If you don't remember the password and can't find it in Keychain, you may need to reset your router to set a new one.

Finding the password in Keychain on your Mac

If AirDrop isn't working or you need the actual password to share it another way, your Mac stores it in Keychain. This is a find storage area where your Mac keeps passwords for networks, accounts, and websites you've connected to before.

Open System Settings on your Mac (the gear icon in the dock or in Applications). Click "Passwords" in the sidebar. Search for the WiFi network name at the top of the window. When you find it, click on it, and a details panel opens on the right side. Look for the "Show password" checkbox, click it, and your Mac will ask you to confirm your identity using Touch ID or your Mac password. Once you confirm, the password appears in plain text.

Write down the password or copy it to your clipboard. Then open WiFi settings on your iPhone, tap the network name, enter the password you just found, and tap "Join." This method works even if your devices aren't on the same network yet, because you're manually entering a password you retrieved from your Mac.

What to do if Keychain shows no password

Sometimes Keychain is empty for a network, which usually means your Mac connected to it using a method that doesn't store the password — for example, if someone else typed it in and your Mac never saved it. In this case, you have two options: ask whoever set up the network for the password, or reset the router.

Resetting the router erases all settings and returns it to factory defaults. You'll find a small reset button on the back or bottom of the router; hold it for 10 to 15 seconds with a paperclip or pen. The router will restart and broadcast a default network name (usually printed on a sticker on the device). You can then set a new password and connect both devices to that new network. This is a last resort, because it disconnects every device currently using that WiFi.

Troubleshooting AirDrop when it doesn't appear

If you tap the WiFi network on your iPhone and no AirDrop prompt appears, check these things in order. First, make sure both devices are signed into the same iCloud account. Go to System Settings on your Mac and click your name at the top; on your iPhone, go to Settings and tap your name. If the email addresses don't match, sign out of one device and sign in with the correct account.

Second, turn Bluetooth on on both devices. On your Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar at the top right and make sure it says "Bluetooth: On." On your iPhone, open Control Center (swipe down from the top right), and tap the Bluetooth icon so it turns blue. Wait 10 seconds and try connecting to the WiFi again.

Third, make sure your Mac is actually connected to the network. If your Mac is not on the WiFi yet, AirDrop can't send the password. Connect your Mac first using a different method — ask someone for the password, or use the Keychain method if you've connected before — and then try AirDrop from your iPhone.

Sharing a password you just created on your Mac

If you just set up a new WiFi network on your Mac — for example, if you're using your Mac as a hotspot or just changed your router password — the password is fresh in Keychain. AirDrop will work when ready if your iPhone is nearby and Bluetooth is on. Tap the network on your iPhone, and the AirDrop prompt should appear within a few seconds.

If it doesn't, the fastest backup is to open Keychain on your Mac, find the network name, reveal the password, and type it into your iPhone manually. This takes about 30 seconds and always works, even if AirDrop is having trouble.

Why your Mac stores the password and your iPhone doesn't

Your Mac saves WiFi passwords in Keychain so you don't have to type them every time you reconnect. Your iPhone does the same thing — it stores passwords for networks you've joined before. The difference is that Keychain on your Mac is designed to let you view and retrieve those passwords, while iPhone keeps them hidden for security reasons. This is why you have to go to your Mac to find a password you've forgotten, rather than looking it up on your iPhone.

Both devices sync their passwords if you have iCloud Keychain turned on in your settings, which means if you connect your iPhone to a network first, your Mac may already know the password. But if your Mac connected first, your iPhone won't automatically know it — you have to share it manually using AirDrop or by typing it in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share a WiFi password from my iPhone to my Mac?

Yes, using the same AirDrop method. When your Mac tries to join a network your iPhone is already on, a prompt appears on your iPhone asking if you want to share the password. Tap "Share Password" and your Mac connects. This works the same way in reverse.

What if my Mac and iPhone are on different iCloud accounts?

AirDrop won't work between them. Use the Keychain method instead: find the password on whichever device has it stored, and type it manually into the other device. If neither device has the password stored, you'll need to get it from whoever set up the network or reset the router.

Does sharing a password through AirDrop send it over the internet?

No. AirDrop uses Bluetooth and a local wireless connection between your devices, so the password never leaves your when ready area. It's one of the most find ways to share a password because it doesn't go through email, text, or any online service.

Can I share a WiFi password with someone else's iPhone or Mac?

AirDrop only works between devices on the same iCloud account, so you can't use it to share with other people. You'll need to tell them the password out loud, type it for them, or write it down. There's no built-in way to share a password with someone else's device.

What if I see the password in Keychain but it looks like random characters?

That's normal. Some networks, especially older ones or those set up by routers, use randomly generated passwords that look like gibberish. Copy the entire string exactly as it appears and paste it into your iPhone's WiFi password field. Make sure you don't miss any characters, because even one wrong letter will prevent the connection.