The fastest way: use AirDrop on nearby Macs

If the person you want to share with is in the same room with a Mac, iPhone, or iPad, AirDrop is the quickest method. Your Mac stores your WiFi password in its keychain, and AirDrop can send it directly to their device without typing it out.

On your Mac, go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), then General > AirDrop. Make sure it is set to Allow me to be discovered by and choose either Everyone or Contacts Only. Ask the other person to do the same on their device. Then when they try to join your WiFi network, a notification will appear on your Mac asking if you want to share the password. Tap Share Password, and it sends automatically — they do not have to type anything.

Key Takeaways

  • AirDrop works only when both devices are nearby and have AirDrop turned on in System Settings.
  • If AirDrop is not available or the person is not in the room, you can read the password from Keychain Access and tell them verbally or through a message.
  • To find your password in Keychain Access, search for your network name, double-click it, check Show password, and enter your Mac login password.
  • Never share your WiFi password through unencrypted email or text unless you trust the recipient completely and plan to change the password later.
  • If you want to change your WiFi password after sharing it, log into your router's admin panel — the address and login are usually on a sticker on the router itself.

Finding your password in Keychain Access

If the other person is not nearby or does not have a compatible device, you will need to look up the password yourself and share it manually. On your Mac, open Keychain Access — you can find it by clicking the Spotlight icon (magnifying glass) in the top right, typing "keychain", and pressing Enter.

In the Keychain Access window, make sure Passwords is selected in the left sidebar. In the search box at the top right, type the name of your WiFi network exactly as it appears. When you find it, double-click the entry. A small window opens. Check the box next to Show password. Your Mac will ask you to enter your login password — this is the password you use to unlock your Mac, not your WiFi password. Type it and click Allow. Your WiFi password now appears in plain text in that window.

Sharing the password safely

Once you have the password, you can tell the person verbally, write it down on paper, or send it through a message. How you share it depends on how much you trust the recipient and whether you plan to change the password later.

If you send it by text or email, be aware that those messages are not fully encrypted on most services — anyone with access to that account could read it. If the person is a guest or someone you do not fully trust, consider changing your WiFi password after they leave. If it is a family member or close friend who will be using the network regularly, sharing it through a message is usually fine.

Changing your WiFi password after sharing

If you want to change your password — whether because you shared it with someone you no longer want on the network, or straightforward as a security refresh — you will need to log into your router. Most routers have a sticker on the bottom or back that shows the admin address (usually something like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) and the default login username and password.

Open a web browser on your Mac, type that address into the address bar, and log in with the credentials on the sticker. Look for a section called WiFi Settings, Wireless, or Network. Find the field for your WiFi password (sometimes called Passphrase or Pre-Shared Key), change it to something new, and save. Your router will restart, and all devices will be disconnected. They will need to rejoin using the new password.

What to do if you forgot your own password

If you cannot remember your WiFi password and it is not showing up in Keychain Access, you can reset it through your router. Log into the router using the admin address and credentials on the sticker (as described above), find the WiFi settings, and create a new password. This will disconnect everyone currently on the network, but it is the only way forward if you have lost track of the original.

If you have also forgotten the router's admin password, you will need to perform a factory reset. This erases all your router settings and returns it to the defaults on the sticker. Most routers have a small reset button you hold down for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. After the reset, log in with the default credentials and set up your WiFi password again from scratch.

Sharing with Windows PCs or Android devices

AirDrop only works between Apple devices. If you are sharing with a Windows PC or Android phone, you will need to tell them the password verbally, write it down, or send it through a message. The steps to find your password in Keychain Access remain the same — you just cannot use AirDrop to send it automatically.

Some routers have a QR code printed on the sticker or displayed in the router settings that a phone can scan to join the network without typing the password. Check your router's documentation or log into the admin panel to see if this option is available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does AirDrop not show up when someone tries to join my WiFi?

AirDrop only triggers when someone is actively trying to connect to your network. Both devices must have AirDrop turned on in System Settings, and they must be within Bluetooth range (usually 30 feet or less). If it still does not appear, restart both devices and try again.

Can I share my WiFi password without giving someone access to my router settings?

Yes. The WiFi password and the router admin password are separate. Sharing the WiFi password lets them use the internet; it does not give them access to change your network settings. The router admin password is on the sticker on the router itself — keep that private.

Is it safe to write down my WiFi password?

Writing it down on paper is actually safer than storing it in an unencrypted digital file, because paper cannot be hacked remotely. If you write it down, keep it somewhere find — not on a sticky note on the router itself, which is the first place someone would look.

What if my Mac does not have Keychain Access?

Keychain Access comes built into every Mac. If you cannot find it by searching, your Mac may be very old or have a non-standard setup. In that case, contact Apple Support or try resetting your WiFi password through your router instead.

Can I share my password with multiple people at once?

AirDrop works one person at a time — each person who joins your network will trigger a separate notification on your Mac. If you want to share with a group, telling them the password verbally or writing it down once is faster than using AirDrop multiple times.