Where your network password is stored depends on what device you're using

Your network password — the one that connects your computer or phone to your Wi-Fi — is stored in different places depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android. The fastest way to find it is usually to check the router itself, which is the device that broadcasts your Wi-Fi signal. If you can't access the router or need the password for a specific device, the steps below will walk you through finding it on the machine you're trying to connect.

Before you start, know that you'll need either physical access to your router or admin access to the device where the password is stored. If you're trying to recover a password on someone else's device, they'll need to give you that access — there's no remote way around this.

Key Takeaways

  • The easiest place to find your network password is on the router itself, usually printed on a sticker on the back or bottom.
  • On Windows, you can view saved Wi-Fi passwords through Settings > Network > Wi-Fi > Manage Known Networks, then select your network and choose "Show" under the password field.
  • On Mac, open Keychain Access (search for it in Spotlight), find your network name in the list, double-click it, check "Show password", and enter your Mac login password when prompted.
  • On iPhone and iPad, you cannot view a saved Wi-Fi password directly, but you can share it with another Apple device by holding your phone near theirs while they join the network.
  • On Android, the process varies by manufacturer, but many phones store this information in Settings > System > Advanced > Reset Options > Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile & Bluetooth, which requires your phone's PIN or password.

Check the router first — it's the fastest option

Your router is the physical box that sends out your Wi-Fi signal. Look for a sticker on the back, bottom, or side of the device. The sticker usually shows the network name (called the SSID) and the password, sometimes labeled as "Network Key" or "Wi-Fi Password". Write down both pieces of information exactly as they appear, including capital letters and numbers.

If the sticker is worn or missing, you can reset the router to its factory default password. This will erase your current network settings, so only do this if you're prepared to set up your Wi-Fi again from scratch. Most routers have a small reset button on the back that you hold down for 10 to 15 seconds. After the router restarts, the password will be whatever the manufacturer set as default — usually printed in the router's manual or on the manufacturer's website.

Find your password on Windows

On Windows 10 or 11, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Manage Known Networks. You'll see a list of every network your computer has ever connected to. Click the network you're looking for, then click Properties. Scroll down to the "Security" section and look for the password field. It will be hidden by default, but if you click Show, the password will appear in plain text. You'll need to be logged in as an administrator on that computer.

If you don't see your network in the "Manage Known Networks" list, your computer hasn't saved the password yet. In that case, you'll need to find the password through another method — either from the router or from another device that has connected to that network.

Find your password on Mac

On Mac, open Keychain Access. The fastest way is to press Command + Space to open Spotlight search, type "Keychain Access", and press Enter. Once it opens, search for your network name in the search box at the top right. When you find your network, double-click it. A window will pop up showing the network details. Check the box next to Show password. Your Mac will ask you to enter your Mac login password — this is a security step to confirm you own the computer. Once you enter it, your Wi-Fi password will appear.

If your network doesn't appear in Keychain Access, your Mac hasn't saved the password. You'll need to get it from the router or another device.

Find your password on iPhone or iPad

Unfortunately, Apple doesn't allow you to view a saved Wi-Fi password directly on iPhone or iPad through Settings. However, you can share the password with another Apple device without typing it. If you have another iPhone, iPad, or Mac that's already connected to that network, hold your device near the other person's device while they try to join the Wi-Fi. A prompt will appear on your screen asking if you want to share the password. Tap Share Password, and their device will connect automatically.

If you don't have another Apple device to share from, you'll need to get the password from your router or from an Android device or Windows computer that has it saved.

Find your password on Android

Android doesn't have a single standard way to view saved Wi-Fi passwords because different manufacturers customize their phones differently. On many Android phones, go to Settings > System > Advanced > Reset Options > Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile & Bluetooth. Your phone will ask for your PIN or password to confirm. After you enter it, the screen will show a list of saved networks and their passwords. Write down the password for the network you need.

If those steps don't work on your phone, search your phone's Settings for "Wi-Fi" or "Network" and look for an option that says "Saved Networks" or "Manage Networks". The exact path depends on your phone's manufacturer — Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, and others arrange these settings differently. If you're stuck, searching "[Your Phone Model] view saved Wi-Fi password" will usually show the exact steps for your device.

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

If the router sticker is gone, you can't access any device that has the password saved, and you don't remember it, your only option is to reset the router to factory defaults. This erases all your current settings, including the network name and password you created. After the reset, you'll set up a new network name and password from scratch.

To reset, locate the small reset button on the back of your router (it may be recessed and require a paperclip to press). Hold it down for 10 to 15 seconds until the lights on the router blink or turn off, then wait for it to restart. Once it's back on, look for the default network name and password in the router's manual or on the manufacturer's website. You can then log in and create a new password that you'll want to write down or store somewhere safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my Wi-Fi password if I'm not the one who set it up?

Only if you have access to a device that's already connected to that network, or if you can access the router itself. If the person who set it up won't share it and you can't reach the router, there's no way to retrieve it without resetting the router to factory defaults — which will disconnect everyone and require setting it up again.

Is it safe to write down my Wi-Fi password?

Writing it down and storing it somewhere physically secure — like a notebook in a drawer — is safer than using a weak password you can remember. If you're concerned about someone finding the written password, consider storing it in a password manager instead, which encrypts it and requires a master password to access.

What's the difference between my network password and my router admin password?

Your network password is what guests use to connect to your Wi-Fi. Your router admin password is what you use to log into the router's settings to change the network name or password. They're separate. If you've forgotten your admin password, you'll need to reset the router to factory defaults.

Why does my phone keep asking for the password even though I saved it?

This usually means the saved password is incorrect — either it was typed wrong when you first connected, or someone changed the network password since you saved it. Forget the network (go to your Wi-Fi settings, select the network, and choose "Forget"), then reconnect and enter the password again carefully.