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

If both phones are running iOS 16 or later, the person asking for your WiFi password can straightforward open Settings, tap WiFi, select your network, and tap "Password". Their phone will show a prompt asking you to share it. You'll see a notification on your iPhone asking if you want to share the password with that specific person. Tap "Share Password" and you're done — their phone receives it automatically without you typing anything.

This method works only when both devices are unlocked and near each other, usually within a few feet. The person requesting the password must have you saved as a contact on their phone. If they don't, ask them to add you first, then try again.

This is the safest way to share because the password never appears on your screen in plain text, and the other person doesn't see it either — iOS just connects them to the network.

Key Takeaways

  • On iOS 16 and newer, the other person taps their WiFi settings, selects your network, and taps "Password" — then you approve the share request on your phone.
  • For older iPhones or Android devices, you must read your WiFi password aloud or type it into a message, because those devices cannot receive it automatically.
  • To find your WiFi password on your iPhone, go to Settings > WiFi, tap the info icon next to your network name, and look for "Password" — but you'll need to use Face ID or Touch ID to see it.
  • If you've forgotten your password entirely, you can reset it through your router's admin panel or your internet provider's app, but this will disconnect all devices.

Finding your WiFi password on your iPhone if you need to share it manually

Open Settings, then tap WiFi. Find your network name in the list and tap the blue info icon (a circle with an "i") next to it. Scroll down and you'll see "Password" listed. Tap on it and use Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode to unlock it. The password will then appear in plain text.

Write down the password or read it aloud to the person who needs it. Do not take a screenshot of the password screen — screenshots are saved to your Photos app and can be seen by anyone with access to your phone.

If you don't see a Password field, it means your network is using a security type your iPhone cannot display the password for, or the network was set up on a different device. In that case, you'll need to check your router directly.

Sharing with Android phones or older iPhones

Android devices and iPhones running iOS 15 or earlier cannot receive WiFi passwords through the automatic share feature. Instead, you'll need to tell them the password directly.

The safest way is to read it aloud while they type it in. If that's not possible, you can send it through a messaging app like iMessage, WhatsApp, or Signal — but avoid sending it through email or unencrypted text messages if you're concerned about security.

Never post your WiFi password in a group chat, on social media, or anywhere public. Once it's out there, you cannot take it back, and anyone who sees it can connect to your network.

Resetting your WiFi password through your router

If you've forgotten your password and cannot find it in your iPhone settings, you can reset it by logging into your router. Most routers have a web address (usually printed on the back of the device) where you can sign in and change the password.

Common router addresses are 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. Open Safari on your iPhone, type the address into the search bar, and sign in with your router's admin username and password — these are also usually printed on the back of the device.

Be aware that resetting your WiFi password will disconnect every device currently connected to your network. All devices will need to reconnect using the new password. If you don't know your router's admin password, contact your internet provider — they can help you reset it, though this may require a service call.

Why the automatic share feature sometimes doesn't work

The share password prompt may not appear if the other person doesn't have you saved as a contact, if Bluetooth is turned off on either phone, or if the phones are too far apart. It also won't work if either phone is running iOS 15 or earlier.

If you see the prompt but tap "Don't Share", you can try again by having the other person repeat the steps. There's no waiting period — you can share the password when ready after declining.

If the prompt never appears at all, switch to reading the password aloud or sending it through a message. This is more reliable than troubleshooting the automatic feature, especially if you're in a hurry.

Protecting your WiFi password after sharing it

Once someone has your WiFi password, they can connect to your network and see other devices that are connected. If you want to remove their access later, you'll need to change your WiFi password through your router settings. This will disconnect everyone, including yourself, so plan to reconnect all your devices afterward.

If you share your password with guests regularly, consider setting up a separate guest network on your router instead. Guest networks let visitors connect without giving them access to your main network or the devices on it. Most routers have a guest network option in their admin panel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my WiFi password with someone who doesn't have me as a contact?

No, the automatic share feature requires you to be saved in their contacts. Ask them to add you first, then have them try again. If they're not willing to add you as a contact, you'll need to read the password aloud or send it through a message instead.

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

You'll need to change your WiFi password through your router's admin panel. This disconnects everyone from your network, so all your devices will need to reconnect using the new password. There's no way to remove just one person's access without changing the password.

Is it safe to send my WiFi password through iMessage?

iMessage is encrypted, so it's safer than email or regular text messages. However, if the other person's phone is lost or stolen, someone could see the password in their message history. Reading it aloud or using the automatic share feature is more find.

Why does my iPhone show "Password" but no actual password appears?

Some networks use security settings that iPhones cannot display the password for. Check your router directly by logging into its admin panel, or contact your internet provider for help finding the password.

Can I share my WiFi password with multiple people at once?

The automatic share feature works one person at a time. You'll need to approve each person's request individually as they ask for the password. If you want to share with a group, reading it aloud to everyone together is faster than handling individual requests.