Forgot your Wi-Fi password just when you need to connect a new phone, laptop, or smart TV? You may not need to reset anything. If one of your own devices is already connected to the network, it may have the password saved.
The steps depend on the device. This guide explains how to find your Wi-Fi password on an iPhone, Android phone, Windows computer, or Mac. It also covers a few other places to check if the password is not saved on any of your devices.
Step 1: Check your iPhone or iPad
On recent Apple devices, you can view passwords for Wi-Fi networks you have joined before.
On iOS 18 or later:
- Open the Passwords app.
- Tap Wi-Fi. If you do not see the category, use the back button or sidebar to return to the main screen.
- Choose the network you want.
- Tap the Password field to reveal it. Tap Copy Password if you want to paste it into another device.
The network you are currently connected to usually appears near the top. Other saved networks are listed too.
On iOS 16 or iOS 17, you can use Settings instead:
- Open Settings and tap Wi-Fi.
- Tap the information button (ⓘ) beside the network.
- Tap Password and confirm with Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode.
To see an older saved network in these versions, tap Edit on the Wi-Fi screen and authenticate when asked. Select the network, then tap its password field.
Good to know: Apple changes some menu locations between iOS versions. If you do not see the Passwords app, use the Settings method if your iPhone supports it.
Step 2: Share Wi-Fi access from an Android phone
Android phones commonly let you share a saved Wi-Fi connection using a QR code. The other device scans the code to join the network, so you may not need to read or type the password.
On many phones using standard Android:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Network & internet, then Internet.
- Tap the connected Wi-Fi network.
- Choose Share. You may need to confirm your identity using your screen lock.
- Show the QR code to the device you want to connect.
Some Android versions or manufacturers use different names. On Samsung Galaxy phones, for example, open Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi, tap the gear icon beside the connected network, then look for QR code.
The exact options depend on your phone model and Android version. Some phones show the password alongside the QR code; others show only the code. If you only see a QR code, scan it with the camera on the device you want to connect.
Careful: A Wi-Fi QR code can give another device access to the network. Only show it to someone you intend to let join.
Step 3: Find the password on a Windows 11 computer
If your Windows 11 PC is connected to the network, you can reveal the saved password in Settings.
- Open Start and select Settings.
- Select Network & internet.
- Open Properties for the connected Wi-Fi network.
- Find Wi-Fi network password and select Show.
To check a network saved on the computer but not currently connected, go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks. Select the network, then choose Show beside its Wi-Fi password.
Windows may ask you to confirm access before displaying saved network details.
Step 4: Find the password on a Windows 10 computer
Windows 10 uses a different route to show the password for the network currently in use.
- Open Control Panel.
- Select Network and Sharing Center. If you do not see it, change View by to Large icons or Small icons.
- Beside Connections, select your Wi-Fi network name.
- In the Wi-Fi Status window, select Wireless Properties.
- Open the Security tab.
- Tick Show characters.
The password appears in the Network security key box. Untick Show characters when you have finished.
Step 5: Find a saved Wi-Fi password on a Mac
On recent versions of macOS, the Passwords app stores saved Wi-Fi details.
- Open the Passwords app.
- Select Wi-Fi in the sidebar. If the sidebar is hidden, click its sidebar button.
- Select the network you need.
- Reveal the password by holding the pointer over the dots beside Password. You can click the dots to copy it.
Your current network appears at the top if the Mac is connected. Other saved networks appear in the list.
On some earlier macOS versions, you may be able to find saved network details using the Keychain Access app. Search for the network name, open the matching entry, and look for the option to show its password. You may need to enter your Mac login password or authenticate.
Step 6: Check the router if you cannot find it on a device
If none of your devices has the password saved, check the router or internet gateway supplied by your provider.
Look for a label on the router. It may list the default Wi-Fi network name and password under a heading such as Wi-Fi Password, Wireless Key, or Network Key.
This label may not show the current password if someone changed it after the router was installed. You can also check the router maker’s or internet provider’s official app or setup instructions, if you are authorised to manage the network.
If the password was changed and cannot be recovered, ask the person who manages the network or your internet provider for help. Avoid resetting the router unless you understand the effect: a reset can erase custom network settings and disconnect other devices.
Troubleshooting common problems
The Wi-Fi network is not listed. Check that you are looking at the right device and network name. A device may only show passwords for networks it has joined and saved.
The phone shows a QR code but no password. That is normal on many Android devices. Scan the code with the device you want to connect rather than expecting the password to appear as text.
The password does not work. Wi-Fi passwords are case-sensitive. Check capital letters, numbers, and similar-looking characters. Make sure you are selecting the correct network name.
You cannot open the saved password. Your phone or computer may ask for its passcode, fingerprint, face recognition, or account password. This is a security check designed to protect saved network details.
Keep your Wi-Fi password somewhere safe
Once you have found the correct password, enter it only on devices you trust. You can save it in a reputable password manager or keep it in another secure place that household members can access when needed.
You do not need to change your Wi-Fi password just because you forgot it. In many cases, a phone or computer that has already connected can help you recover it in a minute or two.
