How to Find Your WiFi Password when You Forgot It

This wikiHow teaches you how to find a forgotten Wi-Fi password on your Windows or Mac computer. You can do this by using your computer's settings or by accessing your router's settings page. You can also look up saved Wi-Fi passwords on an iPhone, iPad, or Android device. If all else fails, resetting your router will restore the factory default password.

Easy Ways to Find a Forgotten Wi-Fi Password

If you’re using a Windows or Mac computer, you can look up saved Wi-Fi passwords in your system settings.
You might also have the password saved in the network settings on your mobile device.
The default password is typically printed on your router.
If you’ve changed the password, use an internet-connected device to visit the router page, log in, and view or change your password.

Section 1 of 5:

Finding the Password on Windows

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Open Settings. If you’ve logged into your Wi-Fi network before, you may be able to find the password in your network settings. To get started, click the Start menu and select Settings.^{[1]
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Microsoft Support
Technical support and product information from Microsoft.

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- This method only works when you're already connected to the Wi-Fi network for which you've forgotten the password. Otherwise, you might need to use some of the workarounds described in Finding the Password on the Router. If all else fails, you can reset your router and set a new password.
Depending on whether you’re using Windows 11 or Windows 10, it will show either a Wi-Fi icon or a globe symbol.

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If you’re using Windows 10, click Status > Network and Sharing Center instead.
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Click Show next to “Wi-Fi network password”. This will reveal the password of the network you’re currently logged into.
- If you’re using Windows 10, select your Wi-Fi network name next to Connections and select Wi-Fi Status > Wireless Properties > Security. Click the check box next to Show characters. You’ll see your password in the Network security key box.
- In Windows 11, you can also view saved passwords for other networks by going to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks and clicking Show next to Wi-Fi network password.
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Use the Command Prompt as an alternative method. If you know the name of a Wi-Fi network you’ve used on your computer before, you can look up the password in the command line. Type CMD into the Search bar, then right-click Command Prompt in the results and select Run as administrator. Follow these steps to find the network password:
- If you’re not sure of the name of the network you’re looking for, type the command netsh wlan show profiles and press Enter. Locate the network you want to use and write down the SSID (network name). For example, this might be something like “Home_WiFi.”
- Type in the command netsh wlan show profile name="WiFiName" key=clear. Replace “WiFiName” with the SSID of your network. Press Enter.
- Locate the Key Content line under the Security settings header. You should see the password there.

Section 2 of 5:

Finding the Password on a Mac

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If you’ve logged into the Wi-Fi network before on your Mac, you can look up the password in your network settings. Otherwise, you might need to use one of the alternative methods in Finding the Password on the Router. If all else fails, you can reset your router and set a new password. To look up a password for a known network, open Apple menu > System Settings.^{[2]
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It’s in the left sidebar.
It’s at the top of the Network menu.
It’s at the bottom of the window. A list of known Wi-Fi networks will open.
A small context menu will open.
The password will be saved to your clipboard.
Open an app where you can paste text and press Command + V. This will paste the password you copied.
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Check the Passwords app as an alternative. If you’re using a Mac running macOS 18 or later, you can also view your Wi-Fi passwords in the Passwords app.^{[3]
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Research source} To check, launch Passwords from your Applications folder (or search for it in Spotlight). You’ll be asked to authenticate with your Mac’s administrator password or Touch ID. Click Wi-Fi, select the network you want the password for, and hover your mouse over the password to reveal it.
- You can also click the password to copy it to your clipboard.

Section 3 of 5:

Finding a Password on a Mobile Device

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iPhone or iPad. To view saved Wi-Fi passwords on an iOS device, use the following steps:^{[4]
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- Current Wi-Fi network:
  - Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
  - Tap the
    info button next to your current network.
  - Tap the hidden password to reveal it. You may need to verify with Face ID, Touch ID, or your phone’s passcode.
  - Tap Copy to copy the password to your device’s clipboard.
- Other saved Wi-Fi networks:
  - Open Settings > Wi-Fi.
  - Tap Edit in the top right corner.
  - Verify your identity when prompted (e.g., with Face ID or your passcode).
  - Tap the
    info button next to a network in your list of Known Networks.
  - Tap the hidden password to reveal it. You can also tap Copy to copy it.
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Android. Depending on your Android model, you may or may not be able to directly view saved Wi-Fi passwords on your device.
- Stock Android phones/tablets:
  - Open Settings > Network & Internet > Internet. If you want to see other saved Wi-Fi networks aside from the one you’re currently using, tap Saved Networks.
  - Tap the
    gear icon next to the network you want the password for.
  - Tap Share. A QR code will appear, along with information about the network. Locate the password underneath the QR code.
- Samsung devices:
  - Go to Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi.
  - Tap the
    gear icon next to your current network.
  - Tap QR Code > Quick Share.
  - To quickly log onto the network with another device (without having to view/type the password), scan the code.
  - If you want to see the password, tap Save as Image, open the image in Google Photos, and tap Lens. Lens will scan the image and display an information card that includes the password.

Section 4 of 5:

Finding the Password Using the Router

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Check the sticker on the router. If you're trying to connect to your home network, you may find the current Wi-Fi password on the actual router. The default password should appear after "Wi-Fi password," "WPA passphrase," "Wireless security key," "Default password," or some combination of any of those words. In most cases, the password is a long string of letters and numbers, both upper-case and lower-case.^{[5]
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- Depending on your service, your modem (the device that connects your home to the internet) and router may be a single, dual-function device. If your provider gave you two separate devices, the modem is the one connected to the wall jack—the Wi-Fi router will be the other device.
- If you (or someone else with access to the router) changed the router's default password (and this is pretty common), the password on the router sticker won't work.
- If the password doesn't work, proceed to the next steps.
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Press the "WPS" button on the router to connect (if applicable). Most modern home routers will let you connect without having to enter a password by pressing a button labeled "WPS" on the router. After pressing the button, try to connect from your computer, phone, or tablet—as long as you attempt a connection within 30 seconds or so, you'll successfully connect to the Wi-Fi network without having to enter a password.
- This step won't display the Wi-Fi password on the screen. However, once you're connected, you can easily find the password on Windows, macOS, or your mobile device using the methods above.
- Not all routers have this feature, so check your model's included (or online) documentation for a WPS (or Wi-Fi Protected Setup) feature.
- If there’s no WPS option, continue to the next step to connect via Ethernet.
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Connect a computer to the router via Ethernet if there’s no WPS option. If you don't know your Wi-Fi password and the computer you're using isn't connected to the Internet, ethernet is the only way you'll be able to connect. Once you’re connected, you can find or change your Wi-Fi password by logging into your router’s admin page (see the next step).
- If your Mac doesn't have an ethernet port, try a USB-to-ethernet adapter, or a Thunderbolt-to-gigabit-ethernet adapter.^{[6]
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- If ethernet isn't an option, you can reset the router to its default settings, which will allow you to use the default router password located on the router sticker.
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Find your router's IP address. In order to access your router's admin page in your web browser (which will allow you to view and/or change the Wi-Fi password), you'll need to locate the router's IP address. This is the internal IP address that represents your router on your local network. Common router IP addresses include 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1, and 10.0.0.1.^{[7]
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- Windows: Type CMD into the search bar at the bottom of the screen, then select Command Prompt. In the command line window, type ipconfig and press Enter. Find your router’s IP address on the Default Gateway line.
- Mac: Go to Apple menu > System Settings > Network > Wi-Fi. Click Details next to the network you’re currently connected to, then scroll down and find the router IP on the Router line.
  - You can also view the router IP in the TCP/IP tab from the same menu (you want the IPv4 address, not the IPv6).
- On some routers, the IP address is found on the sticker on the side of the router.
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Go to your router's IP address in a web browser. The IP address will take you to a website that displays a login page for your router.
- You can use any web browser to perform this step.
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Log in to the router page. After entering the correct address, you may be asked for the username and password; if so, log in with your router credentials. This is a different username and/or password than you use to connect to Wi-Fi, and will sometimes be printed on a sticker on the router. If not, don't worry—most routers have simple default admin passwords you can easily find online by searching for the model and "default admin password."^{[9]
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- The default username is usually admin, and the default password is usually admin, password, or blank. Some people change these after configuring the router; however, if you can't remember the username and password, you may need to reset the router.
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Find the "Wireless" or "Wi-Fi" section. Once you are logged into the router, find the "Wireless" or "Wi-Fi" section. This can usually be accessed by clicking a tab at the top of the page or finding it in the navigation menu.
- Each router page interface will vary, so you may have to navigate through a couple of different menus.
- Your router's password may also be at the top of the main router page.
On the "Wireless" page, you will see your wireless network name (SSID) as well as the security or encryption type (e.g., WEP, WPA, WPA2, or WPA/WPA2). Near the security options, you should see the "Passphrase" or "Password" field. This is your wireless password. Write it down or select the option to change your password if you want a new one.

Section 5 of 5:

Resetting the Router

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Use this method as a last resort. If you've been unable to obtain your router's password under any of the conditions outlined by the previous methods in this article, your Wi-Fi password is unrecoverable, and you'll need to reset your router to its factory settings.
- Restoring the router to factory settings won't tell you the current password, but it will change the router's password back to the factory password, which is printed on the bottom or back of the router.
- Resetting your router will also disconnect every item you have connected to the router—this means all devices connected to it will need to reconnect. For this reason, resetting the router should be your last resort.
This button is usually on the back of the router and is very small—usually you won't be able to press it without inserting the end of a paperclip or pin.^{[10]
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Press and hold the "Reset" button. Do so for at least 30 seconds to ensure that the router completely resets.^{[11]
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- The lights on the router should flash or briefly turn off when the router has officially reset.
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Look for your router's default login information. This information is usually found on the bottom of the router and includes the following:^{[12]
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- Network name or SSID — Your network's factory name that you'll see in the Wi-Fi menu.
- Password or Key — Your network's default password.
Connect to your network. When entering the password, you'll use the factory password that's printed on the bottom of your router.

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How can I know a password from a nearby router?

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It should be on your router or your ISP cable box if you have one. They are usually on the bottom of the boxes.

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I have entered a new WiFi key but it is not working, and shows the WiFi is limited. What should I do?

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Try to reset your router and then configure it again. Write down your password carefully.

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How do I access my WiFi password on a Chromebook?

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First, open "Settings." Go into "WiFi" and click on the network your Chromebook has saved. After that, disconnect from the network. When you go to reconnect, there will be a little button you can click on that will reveal the password.

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Don't try to locate a password for a network that you aren't supposed to use.

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If you reset or change your password, be sure to create a strong new password that contains letters, numbers, and symbols. Make sure that the password is not based on any personal information.

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