Where to find your saved WiFi password

Your device stores the WiFi password you entered the first time you connected, so you do not have to remember it. On Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android, the password sits in a settings menu you can view in a few clicks. The exact location depends on which device you are using, but the process takes less than a minute once you know where to look.

The password you see will be the one you originally typed in — the same characters and capitals. If you changed your router password recently but your device still connects with the old one, that old password is what will display. This happens because your device has not forgotten the old network yet.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows stores WiFi passwords in Settings under Network and Internet, then WiFi, then Manage Known Networks.
  • Mac users can find the password in Keychain Access by searching for the network name and checking the "Show password" box.
  • iPhone and iPad do not display saved passwords directly, but you can share the network with another Apple device to see it.
  • Android phones show the password in Settings under Network and Internet, then WiFi, then your network name and the gear icon.
  • If you cannot find the password this way, you can reset your router to factory settings and set a new one.

Finding your password on Windows

Open Settings and go to Network and Internet. Click WiFi on the left side, then scroll down and select Manage Known Networks. Find the network name you want the password for and click it. A window will open showing network details — look for the Security Type line, then click Show under the password field to reveal the actual characters.

If you do not see a Show button, your account may not have permission to view passwords on that computer. Ask the person who set up the network, or try the same steps on a different Windows device that connected to that network.

Finding your password on Mac

Open Spotlight (press Command and Space) and type Keychain Access, then press Enter. In the search box at the top right, type the name of your WiFi network. When the network appears in the list, double-click it. A window opens — check the box next to "Show password" at the bottom. Your Mac will ask for your login password to confirm, then display the WiFi password in plain text.

If the network does not appear in Keychain Access, your Mac has not saved it yet. Connect to the network once, then repeat these steps.

Finding your password on iPhone or iPad

Apple does not let you view a saved WiFi password directly on iPhone or iPad the way Windows and Mac do. Instead, you can share the network with another Apple device. If you have a second iPhone, iPad, or Mac, bring it near the device that is connected to the WiFi. Go to Settings, WiFi on the second device, find the network name, and tap it. A popup will appear on the connected device asking to share the password — tap Share, and the second device will connect without you typing anything. The password itself will not display, but the connection confirms it worked.

If you do not have another Apple device, your only option is to reset the router and create a new password, or check the router itself for the original password (usually printed on a sticker on the back).

Finding your password on Android

Open Settings and go to Network and Internet, then WiFi. Tap the network name you want the password for — not the toggle switch, but the name itself. A details screen opens. Look for a gear icon or three dots at the top right and tap it. Select Password or Show Password. Your phone will ask you to confirm your identity using your fingerprint, face, or PIN. Once confirmed, the password appears on the screen.

On some Android phones, the password option is labeled differently — you may see "View Password" or "Display Password" instead. The location can also vary slightly between Samsung, Google Pixel, and other brands, but the Settings menu is always the starting point.

What to do if you cannot find the password

If none of these steps work, the device may never have saved the password, or your account does not have permission to view it. The fastest solution is to check your router itself — most routers have a sticker on the back or bottom with the default network name and password printed on it. This is usually the password you set up when you first installed the router.

If you cannot find the sticker or do not remember setting a password, you can reset the router to factory settings. Press and hold the small reset button on the back of the router for 10 to 15 seconds until the lights blink. The router will restart with its default password (printed on the sticker). You will then need to set up a new network name and password through the router's admin page, which you can reach by typing the router's IP address into a web browser — usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.

Why your device might show a different password than what you remember

If the password you see does not match what you thought you set, it usually means one of two things: you changed the router password at some point and forgot, or you misremembered the original one. Devices only store what you actually typed when you first connected, so if you typed it wrong the first time, that wrong version is what will display.

Another possibility is that someone else set up the network and you never knew the real password — you just connected using a shared device or a QR code. In that case, ask whoever set it up, or reset the router and create a new password yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my WiFi password if I forgot it?

Yes, if the device is still connected to the network. Use the steps above for your device type to view the saved password. If the device is not connected and you have no other connected device, you will need to reset the router and create a new password.

Why does my phone show a password but it does not work when I type it?

The password on your phone is correct — your phone would not be connected if it were wrong. The problem is usually a typo when typing it manually on another device. Passwords are case-sensitive, so capital letters matter. Try copying and pasting the password instead of typing it, or use the share feature if both devices are Apple or both are Android.

Is it safe to write down my WiFi password after I find it?

Yes. Writing it down in a notebook at home is safer than trying to remember it or storing it in an unsecured note on your phone. If you store it digitally, use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password rather than a regular notes app.

What if I see multiple networks with the same name?

Your router may be broadcasting both a 2.4 GHz and a 5 GHz network with the same name. Both use the same password. If you see them listed separately in Manage Known Networks (Windows) or Keychain (Mac), they are the same network and the password will be identical.

Can I change my WiFi password from my phone?

Not directly from the WiFi settings. You need to open a web browser, type your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1), log in with your router admin password, and change the WiFi password in the router settings. Your phone will then ask you to reconnect with the new password.