Losing access to your Wi-Fi network and being prompted for a password you haven’t used in ages is always frustrating. Fortunately, both Mac and Windows devices save Wi-Fi passwords from networks you connect to, letting you retrieve them when needed—whether you’re reconnecting or sharing them with someone else. Here’s how to quickly find any saved Wi-Fi password on your device and get back online in seconds.
Finding Wi-Fi Passwords on a Mac
All the passwords you save on a Mac, including Wi-Fi passwords, are stored in Keychain Access—the built-in password manager.
Steps:
- Open the Keychain Access app (use Spotlight search or find it in Applications > Utilities).
- Select “System” or “Local Items” in the sidebar, then click “Passwords” at the top.
- Find the Wi-Fi network name you want (use the search bar if needed).
- Double-click the network name, then check the box next to “Show password.” You’ll need to enter your Mac’s login
password to reveal it. - The password will be displayed—copy it or share as needed.
Tip: Some newer Mac versions let you generate a QR code to easily share Wi-Fi access with another device. If this option is available, use it for quick sharing.
Finding Wi-Fi Passwords on Windows
To see your current Wi-Fi password:
- Open the Control Panel and go to Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
- Click on your Wi-Fi network next to “Connections.”
- In the Wi-Fi Status dialog, click “Wireless Properties,” then go to the “Security” tab.
- Check “Show characters” to reveal your Wi-Fi password.
- To find passwords from all Wi-Fi networks you’ve ever connected to:
- Right-click the Windows Start button and select “Windows Terminal (Admin)” or “Command Prompt (Admin).”
- Type the command:
- netsh wlan show profiles
- This will list all saved Wi-Fi networks.
- For the specific network you want, type:
- netsh wlan show profile “NETWORK_NAME” key=clear
- (Replace NETWORK_NAME with your actual network’s name.)
- In the results, look under “Key Content” within “Security settings”—this is your Wi-Fi password.
You can run this command for any network listed, making it easy to recover a forgotten password or share it with someone else.
Stay Connected:
Next time you’re unexpectedly logged out or need to share your Wi-Fi, use these built-in tools to quickly find any password you’ve saved. That means less frustration, faster logins, and more time doing what you love online.
