Where your WiFi password actually lives

Your WiFi password is stored in three places: on your router itself (usually on a sticker), in your device's memory after you've connected once, and in your router's settings page if you log in as the admin. The easiest route depends on what you've lost — the password itself, or just the ability to see it on screen.

If you've never written down your password and need it now to connect a new device, start by checking the router. Most routers have the default password printed on a label on the back or bottom. If you changed that password and can't remember it, you'll need to access the router's settings through a web browser or the router's app.

Key Takeaways

  • Check the physical router first — the password is usually printed on a sticker on the back or bottom.
  • On Windows, you can view a saved WiFi password through Settings > Network > WiFi > Manage Known Networks, then select your network and choose "Manage."
  • On Mac, open Keychain Access, search for your network name, double-click it, check "Show password," and enter your computer password when prompted.
  • On iPhone or Android, you cannot view a saved password through the settings, but you can reset the router to factory defaults and use the default password printed on the device.
  • If you changed your router password and forgot it, you'll need to reset the router to factory settings using the reset button, which erases all custom settings.

Finding the password on the router itself

The simplest place to look is the router. Flip it over or look at the back panel. Most routers have a white or yellow sticker with the network name (SSID) and the default password printed on it. This label is usually in small text, so you may need a flashlight or your phone's camera to read it clearly.

If you see the password on the sticker and you've never changed it since the router was installed, that's your current password. Write it down or take a photo. If you changed the password after setup, this sticker will show the old default password, not your current one — in that case, move to the next section.

Viewing a saved password on Windows

If you've already connected to the network on your Windows computer, Windows has stored the password. You can view it without resetting anything.

Open Settings and go to Network & Internet. Click WiFi on the left side, then scroll down and click Manage Known Networks. Find your network name in the list and click it. Click Forget if you want to remove it, or click Properties to see more details. Look for the line that says Security Type — next to it, you'll see a toggle for Show. Click that toggle, and Windows will display your password in plain text. You'll need to enter your Windows password to confirm.

If you don't see your network in the "Manage Known Networks" list, it means Windows hasn't saved it yet. You'll need to connect to it first, or use another method to find the password.

Viewing a saved password on Mac

Mac stores WiFi passwords in Keychain, which is the system's password manager. You can retrieve a saved password in a few steps.

Open Keychain Access — you can find it by pressing Command + Space, typing "keychain," and pressing Enter. In the search box at the top right, type your network name (the WiFi name, not the password). When your network appears in the list, double-click it. A window will open showing the network details. Check the box next to Show password. Mac will ask you to enter your computer's login password to confirm. Once you do, the WiFi password appears in plain text in that same window.

What to do if you can't find the password anywhere

If the sticker is missing or worn away, you haven't saved the password on any device, and you can't remember what you set it to, you'll need to reset the router to its factory defaults. This erases all your custom settings, including the password you created, and restores the router to the state it was in when you first bought it.

Look for a small reset button on the router — it's usually recessed so you can't press it by accident. Use a paperclip or the tip of a pen to press and hold it for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights on the router will blink, and it will restart. Once it's back online, use the default password from the sticker on the back. After you log in, you can create a new custom password through the router's settings page or app.

Resetting the router means you'll need to reconnect all your devices and reconfigure any custom settings you had, like port forwarding or a guest network. Only do this if you're certain you can't find the password any other way.

Accessing the router's settings page directly

If you want to change your password or view it without resetting, you can log into the router's admin page through a web browser. Open any browser and type your router's IP address into the address bar — it's usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, but check your router's manual or the sticker on the back to be sure.

A login page will appear. Enter the admin username and password — these are often both "admin" by default, but again, check your router's documentation. Once you're logged in, look for a section called Wireless, WiFi, or Security. There you'll see your network name and the password field. The password may be hidden with dots or asterisks, but there's usually a "Show" button or checkbox to reveal it in plain text.

If you don't remember the admin password either, resetting the router is your only option.

Why you can't see the password on your phone

iPhones and Android phones don't let you view a saved WiFi password through the settings menu, even though the phone has stored it. This is a security feature — the phone keeps the password hidden to prevent someone with physical access to your device from easily seeing it.

If you need the password on your phone, your best option is to find it on a computer using the Windows or Mac methods above, or to check the router's sticker or settings page. Some Android phones can share the WiFi password by generating a QR code that another device can scan to connect, but this doesn't show you the actual password in text form.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

On Windows and Mac, you can only view a password for a network you've previously connected to and saved. If you've never connected, you'll need to check the router itself or access the router's settings page. On phones, you cannot view saved passwords at all through the settings.

What's the difference between the network name and the password?

The network name (SSID) is what you see when you search for WiFi networks — it's public and visible to everyone nearby. The password is what you type to connect to that network. Both are usually printed on the router's sticker, but you may have changed one or both since setup.

If I reset the router, will I lose my internet?

No. Resetting the router to factory defaults erases your custom settings like the password you created, but it doesn't affect your internet service. Once the router restarts, you can log back in with the default password and reconnect to the internet. You'll just need to reconfigure any custom settings you had.

Why does my router have two passwords on the sticker?

Many routers broadcast two networks at once — one on the 2.4 GHz band and one on the 5 GHz band. They may have the same password or different ones, depending on your router model. The sticker usually shows both network names and their passwords. Try connecting to the one labeled 5 GHz first if your device supports it, as it's usually faster.

Can I change my WiFi password without resetting the router?

Yes. Log into the router's settings page through a web browser using the admin password, find the WiFi or Wireless section, and change the password there. You don't need to reset anything. After you change it, all your devices will disconnect and you'll need to reconnect them using the new password.