How to Find Your WiFi Password — Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android (2026)
Windows: Settings › Network & Internet › Wi-Fi › click your network › Properties › Show next to the password field. Or run netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetwork" key=clear in CMD and read the Key Content line.
Mac: Open Keychain Access (Spotlight: type "Keychain"), search your network name, double-click the entry, tick Show password, and authenticate with your Mac login password.
iPhone (iOS 16+): Settings › Wi-Fi › tap the network › tap the password dots › authenticate with Face ID.
Android: Settings › Network & Internet › Wi-Fi › tap the network › Share QR code › decode with any QR reader.
You need to connect a new device to your home network but cannot remember the WiFi password. Or a guest is asking, or you are setting up a smart TV. Whatever the reason, the password is saved on every device that has ever connected — you just need to know where to look.
This guide covers every method across all major platforms: Windows 10, Windows 11, Mac, iPhone and iPad, Android phones, and directly on your router. All methods tested and confirmed working in 2026.
All Methods at a Glance
Windows 10 / 11 — Settings, CMD, or Control Panel
FASTEST on DesktopThree sub-methods: Network Settings GUI (no typing required), Command Prompt netsh command (works for any saved network, even if not currently connected), and the legacy Control Panel path.
- GUI method takes under 30 seconds for currently connected networks
- CMD method reveals passwords for all previously connected networks
- Works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11 without any third-party tools
Mac — Keychain Access
FASTEST on MacmacOS stores every WiFi password in the Keychain. Two sub-paths: Keychain Access app (works for any saved network) and the macOS Ventura/Sonoma System Settings shortcut.
- Reveals passwords for any network the Mac has ever joined
- Requires your macOS login password or Touch ID for authentication
- Works on all Macs from macOS Monterey through Sequoia
iPhone / iPad — iOS 16+ Settings
iOS 16 or Later RequiredApple added native WiFi password visibility in iOS 16. No Keychain or third-party app needed — just Settings and Face ID / Touch ID.
- Requires iOS 16, iPadOS 16 or later
- Only shows the password for networks you are currently connected to
- Face ID or Touch ID authentication required
Android — Share QR Code
Android 10+Android does not display the plain-text password directly on most devices, but generates a QR code that encodes it. Scan with any QR reader to extract the password string.
- Works on stock Android and most manufacturer skins (Samsung One UI, Pixel UI, etc.)
- Requires Android 10 or later
- Any QR reader app or Google Lens can decode the password from the code
Router Admin Panel (192.168.1.1)
Works Without Any DeviceLog into your router's built-in interface to view or change the WiFi password. Works even if you do not have a saved device — only requires being connected to the network (via WiFi or ethernet).
- The authoritative source for your WiFi password
- Lets you change the password for all devices at once
- Default admin credentials often printed on the router itself
Router Sticker (Quickest of All)
30 SECONDSIf the password has never been changed from the factory default, it is printed right on the router label. Look for fields labelled SSID (network name), WiFi Password, WPA Key, or Passphrase.
- Located on the bottom or back of the router
- Only valid if the password was never changed after purchase
- No devices, logins, or commands required
Windows 10 / 11: 3 Ways to Find Your WiFi Password
Method 1A: Network Settings (GUI — Fastest)
This method works when your PC is currently connected to the network you want the password for. No Command Prompt or administrator elevation needed if you are already signed in as an admin user.
Open Network Settings
Click the WiFi icon in the taskbar bottom-right and select Network & Internet settings. Alternatively, press Windows + I to open Settings, then click Network & Internet.
Open Wi-Fi Properties
Click Wi-Fi in the left panel, then click your connected network name. On Windows 11, you may need to click the network name again to expand the details. Scroll down and click View next to the Password field, or click Properties then look for the Security tab.
Show the Network Security Key
In the Properties window, go to the Security tab. You will see the Network security key field filled with dots. Check the box labelled Show characters. The dots convert to your plain-text WiFi password immediately.
Method 1B: Command Prompt — netsh (All Saved Networks)
This is the most powerful Windows method. It works for any network your PC has ever connected to, not just the one you are on right now. Ideal if you need a password for a network you are not currently near.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator
Press Windows + S, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and choose Run as administrator. Click Yes on the UAC prompt. Administrator access is required to display saved keys.
List All Saved WiFi Profiles
To see every network your PC has ever connected to, type the following command and press Enter:
This outputs a list of all saved WiFi profiles. Note the exact name of the network you want the password for (it is case-sensitive in the next command).
Reveal the Password for a Specific Network
Replace YourNetworkName with the exact name from the list above, then run:
In the output, scroll to the Security settings section. The line reading Key Content is your WiFi password in plain text.
netsh wlan show profiles.
Method 1C: Control Panel (Legacy Path)
This is the older path that still works on Windows 10 and Windows 11 when the Settings app method is unclear.
Open Network and Sharing Center
Press Windows + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter. This opens the Network Connections window. Right-click your WiFi adapter and select Status, then click Wireless Properties.
Reveal the Password
In the Wireless Network Properties dialog, click the Security tab. The Network security key field shows the password as dots. Check Show characters to reveal it.
| Windows Method | Admin Required? | Offline Networks? | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Settings GUI | No (if logged in as admin) | No (current network only) | ~30 sec |
| CMD netsh | Yes | Yes (all saved networks) | ~1 min |
| Control Panel | No | No (current network only) | ~1 min |
Mac: Find Your WiFi Password with Keychain Access
macOS stores all your WiFi credentials in the system Keychain, a secure encrypted database. You can view any saved password through the Keychain Access app, regardless of whether your Mac is currently connected to that network.
Method 2A: Keychain Access App
Open Keychain Access
Press Command + Space to open Spotlight, type Keychain Access, and press Enter. Alternatively, open Finder › Applications › Utilities › Keychain Access. The app opens with a list of all stored credentials.
Search for the Network Name
In the search bar at the top-right of Keychain Access, type the exact name of your WiFi network (the SSID). You will see a result with the Kind listed as AirPort network password. If you see multiple entries for the same network, open the most recent one.
Show the Password
Double-click the network entry to open its info window. Check the box labelled Show password at the bottom. macOS will prompt you to authenticate with your Mac login password (or Touch ID on supported Macs). Enter your credentials and click Allow. The password field now displays the plain-text WiFi password.
Method 2B: macOS Ventura / Sonoma System Settings Shortcut
On macOS Ventura (13) and later, there is a faster path directly through System Settings:
Open System Settings › Wi-Fi
Click the Apple menu › System Settings › Wi-Fi. Your connected network appears at the top with a connected indicator.
Click the Info Button
Click the Details button (the i icon) next to your network name. A sheet appears showing IP address, DNS, and other details. Look for the Password field and click Copy or the eye icon to reveal it. Authenticate with Touch ID or your password when prompted.
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iPhone / iPad: Find WiFi Password on iOS 16+
Before iOS 16, there was no built-in way to view a WiFi password on iPhone without a Mac. Apple added this feature in iOS 16 (released September 2022). If you are on iOS 15 or earlier, you need to use the Keychain Access method on a Mac instead.
Open Settings › Wi-Fi
Tap the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap Wi-Fi. Make sure you are connected to the network whose password you want to see — this method only works for the currently connected network on older iOS versions.
Tap the Network Name
Tap the blue i (information) icon to the right of the connected network name. This opens the network details screen showing IP, DNS, and router information.
Tap the Password Field to Reveal It
You will see a Password row with the value obscured as dots. Tap directly on the dots. iOS will prompt for Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode. Authenticate, and the password appears in plain text. Tap the field to copy it to your clipboard.
| iOS Version | View Current Network? | View Saved Networks? | Auth Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS 15 and earlier | No (use Mac Keychain) | No | N/A |
| iOS 16 | Yes | No | Face ID / Passcode |
| iOS 17+ | Yes | Yes (via Edit) | Face ID / Passcode |
Android: Share WiFi Password via QR Code
Android does not expose the WiFi password as plain text in the UI, but it generates a QR code that encodes the network credentials, including the password. You can decode this QR code instantly with any camera or QR reader app to get the plain-text password.
Open Settings › Network & Internet › Wi-Fi
The exact path varies slightly by manufacturer. On stock Android (Google Pixel): Settings › Network & Internet › Internet. On Samsung: Settings › Connections › Wi-Fi. Make sure you are connected to the network.
Tap the Gear Icon or Network Name
Tap the gear/settings icon next to your connected network name, or tap and hold the network name. A details screen opens. Look for a button labelled Share, QR Code, or a QR code icon. Tap it. You may be prompted to authenticate with fingerprint or PIN.
Decode the QR Code to Extract the Password
A QR code appears on screen. To read the plain-text password from it: on a second phone, open the camera or Google Lens and point it at the QR code on the first phone — the password appears in the tooltip. Alternatively, take a screenshot of the QR code and use any online QR decoder (search "QR code decoder") to paste the image and extract the text. The password is the value after P: in the decoded string.
| Android Variant | Path to QR Code | Shows Plain Text? |
|---|---|---|
| Stock Android (Pixel) | Settings › Network & Internet › Internet › gear icon › Share | QR only (decode externally) |
| Samsung One UI | Settings › Connections › Wi-Fi › gear icon › QR Code | Yes, below the QR code |
| OnePlus / OxygenOS | Settings › Wi-Fi › tap network › Share | QR only |
| Xiaomi MIUI | Settings › Wi-Fi › tap network › Share password | Yes, shown in overlay |
Router Admin Panel: The Definitive Method (192.168.1.1)
Your router stores the WiFi password at the source. This method works regardless of whether you have any saved devices — as long as you can connect to the router, either wirelessly or via an ethernet cable. It also lets you change the password if needed.
Find Your Router's IP Address
The default admin address for most home routers is 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. If neither works, check the sticker on the back/bottom of your router, or on Windows run ipconfig in CMD and look for the Default Gateway value — that is your router's IP address.
Log Into the Admin Panel
Open any browser on a device connected to your network (even by ethernet if WiFi is the issue), type 192.168.1.1 in the address bar, and press Enter. A login page appears. Default credentials are often admin / admin or admin / password — check the router sticker for the actual default. If you changed the admin password and forgot it, a router reset is required.
Navigate to Wireless Settings
Once logged in, look for a menu section labelled Wireless, WiFi, WLAN, or Advanced › Wireless. The layout varies by manufacturer (Linksys, ASUS, Netgear, TP-Link, Bell, Rogers, etc.) but all have a WiFi configuration page. The current password will be displayed — sometimes as dots; click the eye/show icon or look for a "Reveal" checkbox to display it in plain text.
Router Sticker: 30-Second Method
If your WiFi password has never been changed from the factory default, it is printed on a label affixed to the router itself. This is the fastest method of all and requires no devices or commands.
Physically examine the bottom or back panel of your router. Look for a label with the following fields:
- SSID / Network Name / WiFi Name: the name of your wireless network
- WiFi Password / WPA Key / WPA2 Password / Passphrase / Security Key / PIN: the password you need
- Admin Password / Router Password: separate credential for the admin panel login (not the WiFi password)
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Quick Comparison: All Methods at a Glance
| Method | Platform | Currently Connected? | Admin Access? | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Settings GUI | Windows 10/11 | Required | Helpful | ~30 sec |
| CMD netsh | Windows 10/11 | Not required | Required | ~1 min |
| Control Panel | Windows 10/11 | Required | Helpful | ~1 min |
| Keychain Access | Mac | Not required | Login password | ~1 min |
| Settings › Wi-Fi | iPhone / iPad (iOS 16+) | Required (iOS 16), Optional (iOS 17+) | Face ID / passcode | ~30 sec |
| Share QR Code | Android 10+ | Required | Fingerprint / PIN | ~1 min |
| Router Admin Panel | Any (browser) | Required (to access router) | Router admin login | 2–5 min |
| Router Sticker | Physical | Not required | None | ~30 sec |
Best Practices: Keep Your WiFi Password Accessible and Secure
Once you have found your password, take a few minutes to prevent this from becoming a recurring hassle:
- Store it in a password manager (Bitwarden, 1Password, or Apple Keychain on iOS/Mac) so every device in your household can access it without hunting through settings.
- Write it down and store it with the router — a sticky note on the inside of a cabinet near the router is fine for home use and beats a forgotten digital password.
- Use a strong, memorable password — three unrelated words plus a number (e.g.,
Cloud-Maple-Hockey9) is both secure and human-readable. - Enable WPA3 security on your router if supported. WPA3 is the current standard and significantly more secure than WPA2.
- Create a separate guest network with a simpler password for visitors, keeping your main network credentials private.
Frequently Asked Questions
On Windows, you need administrator rights to view a saved WiFi password through Network Settings or Command Prompt. On a Mac, Keychain Access also requires your login password or admin credentials. On iPhone (iOS 16+) and Android, any user can view the password for networks they are connected to without needing separate admin rights. If you do not have admin access on a computer, check the router sticker directly.
On Windows, the CMD method works for any network previously connected, even if you are not on it right now. Run netsh wlan show profile name="NetworkName" key=clear as administrator. On Mac, Keychain Access stores all previously joined networks — search for the network name and reveal the password. On mobile devices, most methods require being currently connected. If nothing works, check the router sticker or log into the router admin panel (requires network access).
On iPhone or iPad running iOS 16 or later: go to Settings, tap Wi-Fi, tap the blue i next to the connected network name, then tap the password dots and authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID. On Android (Android 10 and later): go to Settings › Network & Internet › Wi-Fi, tap the gear icon next to your connected network, and tap Share or QR Code. Scan the QR code with another device or use Google Lens to extract the plain-text password.
If the sticker is unreadable or gone, log into the router admin panel by typing 192.168.1.1 (or 192.168.0.1) in a browser on any device connected to the network. Use the admin credentials (often admin / admin, or printed in the router's paper manual) and navigate to the Wireless settings to find or change the password. As a last resort, hold the Reset button on the router for 10 seconds to restore factory defaults — this resets the WiFi password to the factory default shown in the manual or the original sticker value, but also clears all your custom router settings.
Anyone with administrator access to a connected Windows PC can run netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetwork" key=clear to see the stored password. On Mac, any user with the login password can view it through Keychain Access. To protect yourself: change your WiFi password to something strong and unique; enable WPA3 security on your router if supported; regularly review connected devices in the router admin panel; and avoid sharing your main network password — use a guest network for visitors instead.
To change your WiFi password, log into your router admin panel (type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in any browser on a connected device). Sign in with router admin credentials, navigate to Wireless or Wi-Fi Settings, find the Password or Passphrase field, enter a new strong password (at least 12 characters), and save the settings. All your devices will be disconnected and will need to reconnect using the new password. If you need hands-on help, IT Cares offers remote network setup assistance — call (888) 711-9428 or book online.