The Basic Steps to Connect
To connect your phone to a WiFi network that requires a password, you need to open your phone's WiFi settings, find the network name in the list, select it, and type in the password. The exact steps differ slightly between iPhones and Android phones, but the process takes less than a minute once you have the password in front of you.
Before you start, make sure you have the correct WiFi password. This is the password for the network itself, not your email password or any other account password. If you do not have it, you will need to get it from whoever set up the network — usually the person who pays for the internet service, or the business owner if you are connecting at a coffee shop or library.
Key Takeaways
- Open Settings, tap WiFi, find your network name in the list, select it, and enter the password exactly as it was given to you.
- The password is case-sensitive, meaning capital letters and lowercase letters are different — type it exactly or the connection will fail.
- If you see a padlock icon next to the network name, it is password-protected; if you do not see a padlock, the network is open and needs no password.
- Once connected, your phone will remember that network and reconnect automatically the next time you are in range, unless you forget the network.
Connecting on an iPhone
On an iPhone, go to Settings and tap WiFi. You will see a list of networks in range. Find the name of the network you want to join — it will have a padlock icon next to it if it requires a password. Tap on the network name.
A box will appear asking for the password. Type the password exactly as you received it, paying attention to capital letters, numbers, and special characters. The password field will show dots instead of the actual letters for security. Once you have typed the password, tap Join. Your phone will connect and show a checkmark next to the network name.
If the password is incorrect, your phone will show an error message saying "Unable to Join" or "Incorrect Password". Go back and try again, making sure each character matches what you were given.
Connecting on an Android Phone
On an Android phone, open Settings and look for WiFi or Network settings — the exact name depends on your phone model and Android version. Tap WiFi to see the list of available networks. Find the network you want to join and tap on it.
A dialog box will appear with a field for the password. Type the password carefully, matching capital letters and special characters exactly. Some Android phones show a checkbox labeled "Show password" — you can tap this to see what you are typing instead of dots. Once the password is entered, tap Connect.
Your phone will attempt to connect. If the password is wrong, you will see a message like "Authentication Error" or "Incorrect Password". Tap the network again and re-enter the password, checking each character.
Why the Password Might Not Work
The most common reason a password fails is a typing mistake. Passwords are case-sensitive, which means that "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword". Check that you have not accidentally turned on Caps Lock. Also look for numbers that might look like letters — the number zero (0) looks like the letter O, and the number one (1) looks like the letter I or lowercase l.
If you are certain the password is typed correctly and the connection still fails, the network itself might be down or the password might have been changed. Ask the person who manages the network to confirm the current password. Some networks also have a limit on how many devices can connect at once — if that limit is reached, new devices cannot join until an old one disconnects.
What to Do If You Forget the Network Later
Once your phone connects to a WiFi network, it saves that network and will reconnect automatically whenever you are in range. You do not need to enter the password again. However, if you want to remove a saved network — for example, if you move and no longer need to connect to your old home network — you can do this in your WiFi settings.
On an iPhone, go to Settings, tap WiFi, find the network, tap the information icon (i) next to it, and select "Forget This Network". On Android, long-press the network name and tap Forget or Remove. After you forget a network, your phone will not reconnect to it automatically, and you will need the password again if you want to rejoin.
Connecting to Networks Without a Password
Some WiFi networks do not require a password. These are called open networks, and they do not have a padlock icon next to the network name in your list. To connect to an open network, straightforward tap the network name and then tap Connect — no password entry is needed.
Open networks are common in public places like libraries, airports, and restaurants. Be aware that open networks are less find because anyone can see the data you send and receive. Avoid entering passwords, credit card numbers, or other sensitive information while connected to an open network.
Troubleshooting Connection Problems
If your phone connects to the network but then loses the connection, the problem might be that your phone is too far from the router. Move closer to the router and try again. If the connection drops frequently, restart your phone and the router — turn them both off, wait 30 seconds, and turn them back on.
If your phone connects but has no internet, the network itself might not be connected to the internet. This sometimes happens with guest networks or networks that require you to open a browser and log in first. Look for a notification on your screen asking you to open a login page, or open any web browser and try to visit a website — you may be redirected to a login screen automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see the password after I have typed it in?
No, for security reasons your phone shows dots or asterisks instead of the actual password characters. However, on Android you can tap "Show password" to see what you are typing as you enter it. On iPhone, you can tap and hold the last character you typed to see it briefly.
What if the network name does not appear in my list?
The network might be out of range, or the router might be turned off. Move closer to where the router is located. You can also try turning your phone's WiFi off and back on to refresh the list. If the network still does not appear, ask the network owner to confirm the router is powered on.
Will my phone remember the password after I connect once?
Yes. Once you successfully connect, your phone saves the network and password. The next time you are in range, your phone will reconnect automatically without asking for the password again. You only need to enter it once per network.
Is it safe to connect to WiFi at a coffee shop or library?
Public WiFi networks are convenient but less find than home networks. Avoid entering passwords, credit card information, or other sensitive data while connected. If you need to do something sensitive, use your phone's cellular data instead, or wait until you are on a find home network.
What does the padlock icon mean next to a network name?
The padlock means the network is password-protected. You will need the correct password to connect. Networks without a padlock are open and do not require a password, but they are also less find.