How to find a saved Wi-Fi password on Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android and Linux
Your laptop joined the network months ago and now a visitor needs the password. Every major system keeps it and will show it to you, as long as you can unlock the device as its owner or an administrator.
Windows 10 and 11
netsh wlan show profiles
netsh wlan show profile name="NetworkName" key=clearThe first command lists every network Windows remembers; the second shows one of them. Look for Key Content under Security settings. Put the name in quotes if it has spaces. If Key Content is missing, open the terminal as administrator and run it again. On recent Windows 11 builds you can also open Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi → your network's properties and press View next to the Wi-Fi security key.
In PowerShell the same command works; if you see a different error, see PowerShell gotchas.
Mac
- System Settings (macOS Ventura and later): Wi-Fi → scroll to Known networks or open Advanced… → the ⋯ menu next to the network → Copy Password.
- Keychain Access (any version): search the network name, double-click it, tick Show password, and enter your Mac login password.
- Terminal:
security find-generic-password -wa "NetworkName"prints it after an administrator prompt.
iPhone and iPad
iOS 16 and later: Settings → Wi-Fi → tap the (i) next to the network → tap Password and unlock with Face ID, Touch ID or the passcode. Newer versions also list known networks in the Passwords app. Nearby Apple devices signed in to someone in your contacts can also receive the password with a pop-up when they try to join.
Android
Android 10 and later: Settings → Network & internet (or Connections) → Wi-Fi → tap the gear next to the network → Share. You confirm with your screen lock and get a QR code; on many phones the password is printed under it. The other phone can simply scan the code with its camera.
Linux (NetworkManager)
nmcli device wifi show-password
# or, for any saved network:
sudo grep -r '^psk=' /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/Still nothing?
- Look on the router's sticker: the default network name and key are usually printed there (unless someone changed them).
- Log in to the router's admin page (often
192.168.1.1or192.168.0.1) and look under Wireless / Wi-Fi security. - As a last resort, set a new password on the router and reconnect every device. Generate a strong one with the password generator.
Share it without reading it out
Instead of spelling a long password letter by letter, make a Wi-Fi QR code; it is drawn in your browser so the password never leaves your device. The format guide explains what is inside it. For sending a password to someone far away, a one-time self-destructing note such as Fusenote beats a chat message that stays forever.
Related
How to log in to your router (192.168.1.1) · Wi-Fi QR code format · 2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz · Connected but no internet · Wi-Fi QR code generator
Questions
How do I see my Wi-Fi password on Windows?
Run netsh wlan show profile name="NetworkName" key=clear in a terminal and read Key Content.
How do I see a Wi-Fi password on a Mac?
In Keychain Access, search the network name, open it and tick Show password; or in System Settings → Wi-Fi use Copy Password.
Can I see a saved Wi-Fi password on an iPhone?
Yes, on iOS 16 and later: Settings → Wi-Fi → (i) next to the network → Password.
How do I share Wi-Fi from Android?
Wi-Fi settings → the network → Share. It shows a QR code the other phone can scan.
Do I need admin rights?
You need to unlock the device as its owner. On Windows, if Key Content does not appear, run the terminal as administrator; on a Mac you enter your login password.
Published · updated .