You can see a saved WiFi password on iPhone, but only for networks you've already connected to

If you've connected your iPhone to a WiFi network before, you can view the password in Settings without needing to reset the router or contact your internet provider. The password appears in plain text once you open the right menu — but only if you're the device owner or have access to the phone's passcode.

The process takes about 30 seconds and works on any iPhone running iOS 16 or later. If your phone is older, you'll need to update it first, or use a different method to recover the password.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, tap WiFi, find the network name, and select the info icon to see the password in the "Password" field.
  • This method only works for networks your iPhone has already connected to — you cannot see passwords for networks you've never joined.
  • You must have your device passcode or Face ID to view the password; the phone will ask you to authenticate before showing it.
  • If you're running iOS 15 or earlier, you'll need to update your phone or use iCloud Keychain on a Mac instead.

Step-by-step: Finding the password in Settings

Start by opening the Settings app on your iPhone. Tap WiFi near the top of the menu. You'll see a list of all networks your phone has connected to, marked with a checkmark next to the one you're currently on.

Find the network whose password you want to see. Tap the small info icon — it looks like a circle with an "i" inside — next to the network name. A popup will appear with network details. Look for the Password field. The password will be displayed in plain text, not hidden behind dots or asterisks.

If the password field is blank or missing, it means the network uses a login page instead of a traditional password — common in hotels, airports, and some businesses. In that case, you'll need to contact the network owner or revisit the login page to reset it.

What happens if you don't see a password field

Some networks don't use passwords at all. Open networks in coffee shops or libraries often require you to accept terms or enter an email address instead. These won't have a password to display.

If you're looking at a network you know has a password but the field is empty, your iPhone may not have saved it properly. Try forgetting the network (tap "Forget This Network" in that same info menu) and reconnecting. When you rejoin, enter the password again, and this time it should save correctly.

Using iCloud Keychain if you can't access the phone

If you need to find a WiFi password but don't have the iPhone in front of you, you can check iCloud Keychain on a Mac or iPad that's signed into the same Apple account. Open System Preferences (or Settings on iPad), go to Passwords, search for the network name, and the password will appear there.

This only works if iCloud Keychain is turned on for both devices. If it's not, you'll need physical access to the iPhone itself.

Why you might not be able to see the password

Your iPhone will ask for your device passcode or Face ID before showing any saved password. This is a security feature — it prevents someone who picks up your phone from when ready seeing all your network passwords. If you don't have the passcode, you won't be able to view the password, even if you own the device.

If you've forgotten your device passcode, you'll need to reset your iPhone through iCloud or a computer before you can access any saved passwords. That process erases the phone, so use it only as a last resort.

What to do if the network is no longer available

If the WiFi network no longer exists — the router was removed, the business closed, or you moved — you can still see the password in Settings. The network will stay in your saved list even after it's gone. You can view the password the same way, but you won't be able to reconnect to test it.

If you want to clean up your saved networks, tap "Forget This Network" for any you no longer use. This doesn't affect your ability to see the password before you forget it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see WiFi passwords for networks I've never connected to?

No. Your iPhone only stores passwords for networks it has already joined. If you've never connected to a network, the password won't be saved anywhere on your phone, and there's no way to view it from Settings.

What if I see the password but it doesn't work when I try to connect on another device?

The password is correct — the issue is usually that the network owner changed it after your iPhone last connected. Ask the network owner for the current password, or try forgetting and reconnecting on your iPhone to see if it prompts you for an updated one.

Does viewing a saved password change it or affect the network?

No. Looking at the password in Settings does nothing to the network itself. You're only reading what your phone has stored — the actual WiFi password on the router remains unchanged.

Can I share a WiFi password from my iPhone to someone else's phone?

On newer iPhones (iOS 16 and later), you can share a network directly without saying the password out loud. When someone else tries to connect to your WiFi, a prompt appears on your phone asking if you want to share. Tap "Share Password" and their phone receives it automatically. You don't need to view the password yourself.