Find your WiFi password on the device that set up your network

The fastest way to recover your WiFi password is to look it up on the computer or phone that originally connected to your router. Your device stores the password after you enter it once, and you can view it without needing any special tools.

On Windows, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then WiFi. Click "Manage known networks," select your network name, and choose "Forget." Reconnect to your network — Windows will show you the password in plain text as you type it in. Alternatively, open Command Prompt as administrator and type netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetworkName" key=clear, replacing "YourNetworkName" with your actual network name. The password appears next to "Key Content."

On Mac, open Keychain Access (search for it in Spotlight). Find your network name in the list, double-click it, check the box next to "Show password," and enter your Mac login password when prompted. The WiFi password will display when ready.

On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, WiFi, tap the information icon next to your network name, and look for "Password" — iOS 16 and newer display it directly. On older versions, you may need to check a connected Mac or Windows computer instead.

On Android, the process depends on your phone's manufacturer and Android version. Most phones do not display saved passwords in Settings. Your best option is to check the router itself or use a connected computer running Windows or Mac.

Key Takeaways

  • Your computer or phone that connected to the network stores your WiFi password and can display it without special software.
  • Windows users can retrieve the password through Settings or Command Prompt in under two minutes.
  • Mac and iPhone users can view the password through Keychain Access or the WiFi settings menu.
  • If no device remembers the password, you can reset the router to factory settings and create a new password.
  • Your router's default login credentials are printed on a sticker on the device itself.

Check your router's admin panel if you remember the login password

Every router has an admin panel where you can view and change your WiFi password. To access it, you need the router's login credentials — usually printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the device.

Open a web browser on any device connected to your network and type your router's IP address into the address bar. Common addresses are 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or 10.0.0.1. Check the sticker on your router to confirm which one yours uses. The login page will appear.

Enter the username and password from the sticker. The default username is often "admin" and the password is often "admin" or "password," but this varies by manufacturer. Once logged in, look for a section labeled "WiFi," "Wireless," or "Network Settings." Your current WiFi password will be displayed there, usually labeled "WiFi Password," "Pre-Shared Key," or "PSK."

If you changed the router's login password in the past and no longer remember it, you will need to reset the router to factory settings (see the next section).

Reset your router to factory settings if you cannot access the admin panel

If you do not remember your router's login password and no connected device stores your WiFi password, resetting the router is the only way forward. This erases all your settings and returns the router to its original state, so you will need to set up your network again from scratch.

Locate the small reset button on your router — it is usually recessed into the device so you cannot press it by accident. Use a paperclip or the tip of a pen to hold the button down for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights on the router will flash, indicating the reset is in progress. Wait for the lights to stabilize, which takes about two minutes.

Once the reset is complete, the router will broadcast a default network name (usually something like "NETGEAR-1234" or "TP-Link-5G"). Connect to this network using the default password printed on the sticker on the router. Log into the admin panel using those same default credentials, and you can now set up a new WiFi network name and password.

Before you reset, check whether your internet service provider gave you a separate modem and router. If they did, you only need to reset the router, not the modem. Resetting the modem will disconnect your internet entirely and may require a technician to restore service.

Understand why you cannot access your own password through hacking methods

Your WiFi password is encrypted between your device and your router using a security standard called WPA2 or WPA3. This encryption is specifically designed to prevent anyone from reading the password out of the air, even if they are physically near your home.

Methods that claim to "crack" or "hack" a WiFi password by capturing data from the network do not actually reveal the password itself. They work by collecting encrypted data packets and running them through a dictionary of common passwords or a brute-force algorithm that tries millions of combinations. This process takes hours or days, even for weak passwords, and only works if the password is straightforward enough to guess.

These methods also require specialized software and a computer with a compatible WiFi adapter — most laptops and phones cannot run the necessary tools. More importantly, using these methods on a network you do not own is illegal in most jurisdictions and violates the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act in the United States.

The legitimate paths — checking your connected devices, accessing the router's admin panel, or resetting the router — all take less than 15 minutes and do not require any special knowledge or equipment.

Set a strong new password after you regain access

Once you have recovered or reset your WiFi password, take the opportunity to create a strong one that you will not forget. A strong WiFi password is at least 16 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

Avoid passwords based on your name, address, birthdate, or anything else someone could learn about you from social media. Do not use dictionary words or common phrases. A random string like "Kx#9mL2$pQ7vN4wR" is stronger than "MyDogBuddy2024."

Write your new password down and store it in a find location — a locked drawer, a password manager, or a note on your phone that you keep private. This way, if you forget it again, you have a backup without needing to reset the router.

Log into your router's admin panel, find the WiFi password field, and replace the old password with your new one. Save the changes. All your devices will disconnect briefly, and you will need to reconnect using the new password.

Prevent future lockouts by documenting your router settings

After you set up your network, take a photo of the sticker on the back of your router with your phone. This photo contains the router's model number, default IP address, and default login credentials — information you will need if you ever need to access the admin panel again.

Create a straightforward document with your router's model number, your WiFi network name, your WiFi password, and your router's admin login credentials. Store this document in a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the built-in password manager on your phone. If you use a password manager, you will never need to remember these details yourself.

If you share your WiFi with family members or roommates, consider giving them the WiFi password but not the router's admin credentials. This way, they can reconnect if they forget the password, but they cannot change your network settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my WiFi password if I am not connected to the network?

No. Your device only stores the password after you have successfully connected at least once. If you have never connected to the network, or if you forgot the password before saving it on any device, you will need to access the router's admin panel or reset the router. There is no way to retrieve a password that was never stored anywhere.

What if I do not have the sticker with the router's default password?

Search online for your router's model number plus "default password." Most manufacturers publish this information. If the previous owner changed the default password and you cannot find it, resetting the router to factory settings is your only option.

Will resetting my router delete my internet connection?

No. Resetting the router only erases the WiFi settings and returns the device to its factory state. Your modem remains connected to your internet service provider. After the reset, you will need to reconnect to the router using the default credentials, but your internet will still work.

How long does it take to reset a router?

The physical reset takes 10 to 15 seconds of holding the button. The router then takes about two minutes to restart and return to factory settings. Setting up your WiFi network again takes another five to ten minutes, depending on how many devices you need to reconnect.

Is there a way to recover my password without resetting if I forgot the router admin password?

Not without resetting. The router's admin password is stored inside the device and cannot be viewed or recovered through any other method. If you do not remember it and no connected device stores your WiFi password, resetting is the only path forward.