Where to find your WiFi password depends on what device you're using

Your WiFi password is stored on the device you used to set up the network. If you set up your router on a Windows computer, the password lives there. If you set up on an iPhone, it's on that iPhone. You cannot pull the password from thin air — you have to go back to the device that created the connection and retrieve it from the network settings.

The password is not written on the router itself (unless you wrote it there). The sticker on the back usually shows the default admin password for logging into the router's settings page, which is different from your WiFi password. If you never changed the WiFi password from the factory default, that sticker might help, but most people change it during setup.

Key Takeaways

  • Your WiFi password is stored on whichever device you used to set up the network — Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android — not on the router itself.
  • On Windows, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, select your network name, and click "Manage known networks" to view the saved password.
  • On Mac, open Keychain Access, search for your network name, double-click it, check "Show password", and enter your Mac login password to reveal it.
  • On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap WiFi, select your network, and tap "Share Password" to display it on screen or send it to another Apple device.
  • On Android, open Settings, go to WiFi, long-press your network name, tap "Share", and scan the QR code or view the password in the menu.

Finding your password on Windows

Open the Settings app and navigate to Network & Internet. On the left sidebar, click WiFi. Scroll down and click Manage known networks. Find your network name in the list and click it. A window will open showing network details. Click Security to expand that section. Your password appears in the field labeled Security key — it will be hidden by default, but you can click the eye icon to show it in plain text.

If you do not see your network in the "Manage known networks" list, it means Windows has never connected to it on this computer. You will need to use a different device that has connected before, or reset the router to factory settings and set up a new password.

Finding your password on Mac

Open Keychain Access by pressing Command+Space, typing "keychain", and pressing Enter. In the search box at the top right, type your WiFi network name. When your network appears in the list, double-click it. A window opens showing network details. Check the box next to Show password. Your Mac will ask for your login password — enter it. The WiFi password now appears in plain text in that same window.

If your network does not appear in Keychain Access, your Mac has never connected to it. You will need to connect to the network first (you can use a temporary password or the factory default if available), and then the password will be stored in Keychain for future retrieval.

Finding your password on iPhone or iPad

Open Settings and tap WiFi. Find your network name in the list and tap the information icon (a circle with an "i" inside it) next to it. The password appears on the next screen under Password. You can tap the password field to copy it, or tap Share Password to send it to another Apple device nearby — that device will receive a notification asking to join the network.

This method only works if your iPhone or iPad has already connected to the network before. If you are setting up a new network on your iPhone for the first time, you will need to know the password to join it — you cannot retrieve a password you have never entered.

Finding your password on Android

Open Settings and go to WiFi or Network & Internet (the exact path varies by phone maker). Find your network name in the list of saved networks and long-press it. A menu appears with options including Share or Edit. Tap Share. A QR code appears on screen that contains your network name and password — you can scan this code with another device to join the network. Some Android phones also show the password in text form below the QR code, though this varies by manufacturer.

If you do not see your network in the saved list, your Android phone has never connected to it. You will need to use a device that has connected before, or access the router's admin panel directly if you know the admin password (usually on a sticker on the back of the router).

What to do if you cannot find the password anywhere

If none of your devices have ever connected to the network, or if you have lost access to all the devices that have, you will need to reset the router. Most routers have a small reset button on the back or bottom — hold it for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The router will restart and return to factory settings, which means you will lose your current WiFi password and network name. You will then set up a new network from scratch using the router's setup app or web interface.

Before you reset, check whether anyone else in your household might have the password written down, stored in a password manager, or saved on their phone. If your router is provided by your internet service provider, you can also contact them — they may have a record of the network name and can help you reset it remotely or provide a temporary password.

Viewing the password in your router's admin panel

If you know the router's admin password (often printed on a sticker on the device), you can log into the router's settings page directly and view or change the WiFi password there. Open a web browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar — one of these is usually the router's default address. You will be prompted to log in. Enter the admin username and password (often "admin" and "admin", or check the sticker on your router). Once logged in, look for a section called WiFi, Wireless, or Network. The current password will be displayed there, and you can change it if needed.

The exact steps vary widely depending on your router's brand and model. If you cannot find the settings page, search online for "[your router model] admin login" to find the correct address and default credentials. This method is most useful if you want to change your password rather than just view it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my WiFi password if I have never connected to the network?

No. The password is only stored on devices that have successfully connected to the network before. If you have never joined it on any device, you will need to reset the router or log into the router's admin panel if you know the admin password.

Is the password on the router's sticker the same as my WiFi password?

Usually not. The sticker typically shows the default admin password for logging into the router's settings page. Your WiFi password is something you set during initial setup, or it may be a factory default if you never changed it. Check the sticker for both pieces of information — sometimes the WiFi password is listed separately.

What if I forgot my Mac login password and cannot unlock Keychain?

You will not be able to retrieve the WiFi password from Keychain without your Mac password. Try using another device that has connected to the network, or reset the router to factory settings and create a new password.

Can I see the password if I am connected to the network but do not own the router?

On iPhone, iPad, and Android, yes — you can view the password in your device's WiFi settings. On Windows and Mac, you can also retrieve it from your device's network settings. You do not need to own the router to see a password your device has already saved.

Why does my password show as a series of dots or asterisks?

That is the default display for security reasons — the operating system hides the password by default. Look for an eye icon, "Show password" checkbox, or similar option to reveal it in plain text. On some devices you may need to enter your device password first.