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How-To & Tips

How to See Your Wi-Fi Password on iPhone, Android and Windows 11

Forgot your Wi-Fi password? Step-by-step ways to see the password of a network you already use on iPhone, Android and Windows 11, plus QR code sharing.

By Redação IntelliTechs4 min read
Glowing cyan padlock over Wi-Fi signal arcs on a dark background

You type your Wi-Fi password once and never think about it again. Then a guest shows up, you buy a new gadget, or the smart TV needs to reconnect, and nobody remembers it. The good news: any phone or computer already on the network has the password saved, and it will show it to you. This guide covers how to see it on iPhone, Android and Windows 11.

One note up front: these steps are for a network you already use or have used before. They don’t crack anyone’s password. The device simply shows what it already knows.

How to see your Wi-Fi password on iPhone

According to Apple, this works on iOS 16 and later (iPadOS 16.1 on iPad). For the network you’re connected to now:

  1. Open Settings and tap Wi-Fi.
  2. Tap the info button (the “i”) next to the network name.
  3. Tap the Password field.
  4. Confirm with your passcode, Face ID or Touch ID.

What about networks you joined earlier?

For a saved network:

  1. In Settings > Wi-Fi, tap Edit in the upper-right corner and authenticate.
  2. Tap the “i” next to a network that has a lock icon. Networks without a lock are open and have no password.
  3. Tap the Password field.

On iOS 18 and later, there’s another route: open the Passwords app, authenticate, tap Wi-Fi, choose the network and tap Password.

How to see your Wi-Fi password on Android

Android doesn’t show the password the same way on every phone, and menu names vary by brand. Using a Pixel as the example, the most common path is:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to Network & internet and tap Internet.
  3. Pick the network, either the current one or a saved one.
  4. Tap Share.

The phone shows a QR code. On many devices the password in plain text appears right below it, and you may be asked for your PIN or fingerprint first. On other brands, the path often runs through Connections > Wi-Fi, but the idea is the same: look for the gear icon next to the network.

Shortcut on Android 14 and later

Starting with Android 14, there’s a Share Wi-Fi button in the Quick Settings panel:

  1. Swipe down from the top of the screen twice.
  2. Tap Internet.
  3. Tap Share Wi-Fi.

This shortcut only works for the network you’re connected to right now.

How to see your Wi-Fi password on Windows 11

On a PC there are two routes. The first is through Settings:

  1. Open Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi.
  2. Open the properties of the connected network.
  3. Look for the password. On versions like 22H2 and 23H2, the button is a View button for the Wi-Fi security key. From 24H2 on, there’s a Show button next to the network password.

The second is the classic Control Panel, which PCWorld walks through:

  1. Open Control Panel, then Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
  2. Click your Wi-Fi name next to Connections.
  3. In the status window, click Wireless Properties.
  4. Open the Security tab and check Show characters. The password appears in the Network security key box.

For older networks: Command Prompt

To get the password of a saved network you’re not connected to right now, use the terminal as an administrator:

  1. Right-click the Windows icon and open Windows Terminal (Admin).
  2. Type netsh wlan show profiles to list saved networks.
  3. Type netsh wlan show profile name="NETWORK NAME" key=clear, swapping in the exact network name, in quotes.
  4. Find Key Content under the security settings. That’s the password.

The name has to match the list exactly, including capitalization. This only works for networks the PC has joined before.

Share with guests without showing the password

If you only want to give someone access, a QR code does the job. On Android, the guest opens their camera and points it at the code, and the device connects on its own if the network is in range. 9to5Google notes the code works with any device that has a camera, iPhones included. On Android 12 and later, the Nearby button sends the details straight to the other phone. Apple also has a sharing method, which should only be used with people you trust.

What if nothing works?

If no device has the password saved, PCWorld recommends changing the network password. You do that in your router settings, and then every device has to reconnect with the new one. It’s also the safest move if the password may have leaked.

Watch who’s nearby when you reveal a password on screen. If you’re upgrading your phone, our guide on how to transfer data to a new phone covers the move, and the WhatsApp two-step verification guide adds one more layer of account security.

Frequently asked questions

Can I see the password of a network I’ve never connected to?

No. Phones and computers only show passwords for networks they’ve joined before. For a new network, ask whoever manages the Wi-Fi.

Do I need to install an app?

No. iPhone, Android and Windows have this built in, as the steps above show.

Why does my phone ask for a PIN, fingerprint or Face ID?

It’s a safeguard. Anyone who passes the check can see saved passwords, which is why Apple advises keeping your device secured.

Does the netsh command work without administrator rights?

According to PCWorld, you need to open the terminal with administrator rights for this method.

Sources
TopicsiPhoneAndroid

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