The fastest way: use AirDrop on the same network

If the person you're helping has an iPhone, iPad, or Mac and is already on the same WiFi network as you, the quickest method is AirDrop. Your phone detects their device and sends the password directly — they see a notification, tap Accept, and they're connected. No typing required.

Open Settings on your iPhone, go to WiFi, find the network you're connected to, tap the info icon (the small circle with an i), and look for the Share Password button. If you don't see it, the other person's device either isn't nearby, isn't on the same network yet, or has AirDrop turned off. Ask them to check their AirDrop settings in Control Center — it should be set to "Everyone" or "Contacts Only", not "Receiving Only".

Key Takeaways

  • AirDrop is the fastest method if both devices are iPhones, iPads, or Macs and you're physically near each other.
  • If AirDrop doesn't work, you can read the password aloud from Settings > WiFi > network name > info icon, or use the QR code method.
  • A QR code appears in the same WiFi settings screen and works with any phone — the other person just opens their camera app and scans it.
  • For Android phones, you must either read the password aloud or use a QR code, since Android cannot receive passwords through AirDrop.

Reading the password aloud or writing it down

If AirDrop isn't working or the other person is far away, you can find your password in plain text and tell them what it is. Open Settings, tap WiFi, find your network name in the list, tap the info icon next to it, and look for the password field. The password will be visible there — you can read it aloud, text it, or write it down.

This method works with any phone, including Android devices, but it's slower than AirDrop because the other person has to type it in manually. Make sure they're typing it exactly as it appears — WiFi passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword".

Using a QR code to connect

Your iPhone can generate a QR code for your WiFi network, and anyone with a camera app can scan it to join without typing the password. Go to Settings, tap WiFi, find your network, tap the info icon, and look for a QR code near the top of the screen. The other person opens their camera app, points it at the code, and taps the notification that appears — their phone will connect automatically.

This works on iPhones, Android phones, and most tablets. It's faster than reading a password aloud and more reliable than typing, because there's no room for typos. If you don't see a QR code in your WiFi settings, your iPhone model may be older — anything from iPhone XS and newer should have it.

Sharing with Android phones

Android phones cannot receive WiFi passwords through AirDrop, so your options are the QR code method or reading the password aloud. The QR code is usually faster because the Android user just opens their camera app and scans it — no typing involved. If the QR code doesn't work, fall back to reading the password from your Settings screen while they type it into their WiFi settings.

Some Android phones have their own password-sharing feature that works between Android devices, but it won't work with your iPhone. Stick with the QR code or the spoken password for the smoothest experience.

What to do if you don't remember your password

If you can't find the password in your WiFi settings, you can reset it through your router. Most home routers have a reset button on the back — hold it for 10 to 15 seconds and the router will restart with its default password, which is usually printed on a sticker on the device itself. After you reset it, you can change the password to something you'll remember by logging into your router's admin page (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in a web browser).

If you're renting and the router belongs to your landlord or internet provider, contact them before resetting anything — they may have set up the network with specific settings you don't want to lose.

Troubleshooting when sharing doesn't work

If the other person taps Accept on the AirDrop notification but still isn't connected, check that they're using the same Apple ID or are in your contacts. If they're a contact but it's still not working, ask them to restart their phone and try again. Sometimes AirDrop gets stuck and a restart clears it.

If the QR code isn't scanning, make sure the other person's camera app is updated and they're holding the phone steady — blurry photos won't scan. If they're using an older Android phone, the camera app might not support QR codes; in that case, they'll need to type the password manually or use a third-party QR scanner app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my WiFi password with someone who isn't in my contacts?

Yes, if you use the QR code or read the password aloud. AirDrop requires the other person to be in your contacts or have AirDrop set to "Everyone", so the QR code is the easiest option for strangers or casual acquaintances.

What if the person I'm sharing with has an older iPhone?

Older iPhones (before iPhone XS) don't have the QR code feature, so use AirDrop if they're nearby or read the password aloud. AirDrop has been available since iPhone 5, so it should work on most devices.

Is my WiFi password visible to everyone when I show the QR code?

Anyone who scans the QR code will connect to your network, so only show it to people you trust. The QR code itself doesn't display your password in text form — it's encoded in the image, so someone would need to scan it to see what network it connects to.

Why does the Share Password button not appear in my WiFi settings?

This feature requires iOS 13.1 or newer. Check your iPhone's iOS version in Settings > General > About. If you're on an older version, update your phone and try again. If you're already updated, restart your iPhone and check if the button appears.

Can I share my password with multiple people at once?

AirDrop works with one person at a time, so you'll need to repeat the process for each person. The QR code method is faster for groups — just show the code on your screen and everyone can scan it one after another.