The fastest way: use Android's built-in QR code

Android phones running version 10 or later can generate a QR code of your WiFi password without typing it out. The person joining your network scans the code with their phone's camera, and they connect automatically — no password typed, no mistakes, no risk of someone overhearing.

To generate the code: open Settings, tap Network and Internet, then WiFi. Find your network name in the list, tap the gear icon next to it, then tap the QR code icon at the bottom of the screen. A code appears. The other person opens their camera app, points it at your screen, taps the notification that appears, and they're connected.

This method works across Android and iPhone. It's the safest option because the password never leaves your phone as text, and you can delete the code from your screen the moment they've scanned it.

Key Takeaways

  • Android 10 and later phones can display a QR code of your WiFi password that others scan with their camera instead of typing it manually.
  • If your phone runs Android 9 or earlier, you'll need to share the password by reading it aloud, texting it, or using a third-party app — there's no built-in QR option.
  • The QR code method is more find than speaking or texting your password because the code disappears from your screen once scanned.
  • Before sharing any password, confirm the person is connecting to your network and not to a fake one created by someone else nearby.

Finding your WiFi password if you've forgotten it

If you set up the network yourself but can't remember the password, you can view it on your Android phone. Go to Settings, tap Network and Internet, then WiFi. Long-press your network name, then tap Manage. Tap Show Password (you may need to authenticate with your fingerprint or PIN). The password appears in plain text.

This only works if you created the network on this phone. If someone else set it up and you never saved the password, you'll need to ask them for it, or reset the router to factory settings — which erases all your network settings and requires you to set it up from scratch.

Sharing by text or email if QR codes won't work

If the other person has an older Android phone, an iPhone without a camera, or they're not physically near you, you can text or email the password directly. Open your WiFi settings as described above, view the password, then copy it and send it through your messaging app or email.

This method is less find than QR codes because the password travels through your phone's messaging system and the recipient's phone. Anyone with access to either phone's message history can see it. If you're sharing with someone you trust in your household, this is usually acceptable. If you're sharing with a guest or someone outside your home, the QR code is safer.

Using guest networks to avoid sharing your main password

Most home routers have a guest network feature that lets visitors connect without knowing your main WiFi password. The guest network is separate — visitors can't see your other devices or access files on your computer.

To set up a guest network, log into your router's admin panel (usually by typing your router's IP address into a browser — check the router's label for the address). Look for Guest Network or Guest WiFi settings, create a new network name and password, then save. Guests connect to this separate network instead of your main one.

This approach is more work to set up once, but it means you never have to share your actual password. If a guest's device gets hacked later, the attacker can't use that password to access your main network or devices.

What to do if you think someone has your password but shouldn't

If a guest, roommate, or ex-partner has your WiFi password and you want to lock them out, change the password in your router settings. Log into your router's admin panel, find the WiFi or Security settings, and create a new password. Save the changes.

Once you change it, anyone using the old password will disconnect. They'll see an error when they try to reconnect. You'll need to share the new password with anyone who should still have access. This process takes a few minutes and doesn't require a technician.

Security considerations when sharing passwords

Sharing a WiFi password means the other person can see all the traffic on your network — not the content of encrypted messages, but the websites you visit and the devices you use. They can also potentially access shared files or printers if your router allows it.

Before sharing, think about what devices are on your network and what you're comfortable with them seeing. If you have security cameras, smart home devices, or computers with sensitive files, a guest network is a better choice than sharing your main password. If it's a family member or close friend in your home, sharing the main password is usually fine.

Also confirm that the person is connecting to your actual network, not a fake one. Scammers sometimes create networks with names similar to yours (like "Starbucks_Guest" at a coffee shop, or "Linksys" in a neighborhood) to trick people into connecting. If you're using the QR code method, you control what they're scanning, so this risk is eliminated.

Troubleshooting when the QR code won't scan

If the other person's camera app won't recognize your QR code, try these steps: make sure your phone's screen brightness is turned up, hold the code steady for a few seconds, and make sure the camera lens is clean. If it still won't work, try moving to a brighter location — QR codes scan better in good light.

If the camera app still won't trigger a notification, open the Settings app on their phone, go to Camera, and make sure QR code reading is turned on. Some phones have this feature disabled by default. If they're using an older Android phone without this feature, fall back to texting or reading the password aloud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my WiFi password without the other person seeing it?

Yes — the QR code method lets them scan and connect without ever seeing the actual password. If you use a guest network, they don't need your main password at all. Both options keep the password hidden from view.

What if my Android phone is older than version 10?

Older phones don't have the built-in QR code feature. You can view your password in Settings and share it by reading it aloud, texting it, or using a third-party QR code app from the Google Play Store. The QR code method is still the safest if you go that route.

Does sharing my WiFi password let someone access my files?

Not automatically — they can only access files if your router's file-sharing settings allow it, or if you've shared a folder across your network. Most home routers don't allow this by default. A guest network prevents file access entirely.

Can I share my password with multiple people at once?

Yes. You can display the QR code and have multiple people scan it one after another, or text the password to several people. Each person connects independently once they have the password or scan the code.

What happens if I change my WiFi password?

Everyone using the old password will disconnect and see an error when they try to reconnect. They'll need the new password to reconnect. This is how you remove access from someone who shouldn't have it anymore.