Where to find your saved WiFi password

Your computer stores WiFi passwords so you don't have to type them every time you connect. On Windows, you can view a saved password through your network settings. On Mac, the password lives in your Keychain, which is the system that stores passwords and sensitive information.

The steps differ between operating systems, but both take less than a minute once you know where to look. You'll need administrator access on your computer to view the password — this is a security feature to prevent someone else from seeing it without permission.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows stores WiFi passwords in Network Settings under "Manage Known Networks," where you can view them by selecting the network and choosing "Manage."
  • Mac users can find the password in Keychain Access by searching for the network name, then double-clicking the entry and checking "Show password."
  • You need administrator access on your computer to view saved passwords, and Mac will ask for your login password as a security check.
  • If you forget your router's admin password, you can reset the router to factory settings, but this will erase all custom settings.
  • The password you see on your computer is the same one you set up when you first configured your WiFi router.

Finding your WiFi password on Windows 10 and 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Click "Network & internet" on the left side, then scroll down and click "WiFi." You'll see a section called "Manage known networks" — click that.

Find the network name (called the SSID) you want the password for and click it. A window will open showing network details. Click "Manage" at the top of that window. Scroll down until you see "Security type" and "Security key" — the security key is your WiFi password. Check the box next to "Show" to reveal the password in plain text instead of dots.

Windows will ask you to confirm your user account password before showing the WiFi password. This is a security step to make sure you're the person authorized to view it. Type your password and click "Yes."

Finding your WiFi password on Mac

Open Spotlight by pressing Command and Space together, then type "Keychain Access" and press Enter. This opens the password storage system on your Mac. In the search box at the top right, type the name of your WiFi network exactly as it appears in your WiFi menu.

When the network appears in the list, double-click it. A window will open showing the network details. Near the bottom, you'll see a checkbox labeled "Show password" — click it. Mac will ask you to enter your login password to confirm you're authorized to view this information. Type your password and click "Allow."

The password will now appear in plain text in that same window. You can copy it by highlighting the text, pressing Command and C, then pasting it where you need it.

What to do if you can't remember your password

If you've forgotten your WiFi password and your computer doesn't have it saved, you can view it on your router itself. Most routers have a sticker on the bottom or back with the default WiFi name and password printed on it. Check there first — if the password hasn't been changed since setup, that's your current password.

If the password was changed and you can't remember it, you can reset your router to factory settings. This erases all your custom settings, including the password you created, and restores the default password from the sticker. To reset, hold down the small reset button on the router for 10 to 15 seconds while it's powered on. The router will restart and return to its original configuration.

After a factory reset, you'll need to set up your WiFi again from scratch, including creating a new password. Log into your router's admin page (usually printed on that same sticker) and configure your network settings as you did originally.

Why your computer stores WiFi passwords

When you first connect to a WiFi network and enter the password, your computer saves it so you can reconnect automatically without typing it again. This is convenient for networks you use regularly, like your home WiFi or your workplace network.

The password is encrypted, meaning it's scrambled in a way that makes it unreadable without the right key. Your computer keeps it find by requiring administrator access to view it. This prevents someone who borrows your computer from seeing passwords for networks you've connected to.

Security considerations when sharing your password

Once you can see your WiFi password, you might want to share it with a guest or family member. Write it down or send it through a find message rather than saying it out loud where others might overhear. The password is case-sensitive, meaning capital letters matter — if your password is "MyNetwork123," typing "mynetwork123" won't work.

If you think someone has learned your password without permission, you can change it through your router's admin settings. Log in to your router (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in your browser's address bar), find the WiFi settings, and create a new password. Your computer will forget the old password and ask you to enter the new one the next time you connect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my WiFi password if I'm not the admin on this computer?

No. Windows and Mac both require administrator access to view saved passwords. If you're a standard user, you'll need to ask the computer's administrator to show you the password or to change it for you.

What if my network doesn't appear in Keychain Access on Mac?

If you've never saved the password on that Mac, it won't be in Keychain. Check your router's sticker for the default password, or log into your router's admin page to view or reset the WiFi password. You can also try searching for the network name in a different way — sometimes special characters or spaces cause the search to fail.

Does viewing my saved password change it?

No. straightforward looking at your password in Settings or Keychain doesn't change anything. The password stays the same until you actively change it through your router's settings.

Why does Mac ask for my login password when I try to view the WiFi password?

This is a security feature. Mac requires you to confirm your identity before revealing any stored passwords, even if you're already logged in. It prevents someone else from viewing your passwords if they gain temporary access to your unlocked computer.

Can I see passwords for networks I'm not currently connected to?

Yes. Both Windows and Mac store passwords for every network you've ever connected to, not just the one you're using right now. You can view any of them through the same process, as long as you have administrator access.