Retrieve a Saved Password from Windows or Mac

Your computer stores the password to your wireless network after you connect to it once. You can view that saved password without resetting your router or calling your internet provider. The steps differ between Windows and Mac, but both let you see the actual characters of the password you typed in.

Windows keeps wireless passwords in the network settings. Mac stores them in the Keychain, a built-in password manager. Neither method requires administrator access on most machines, though some workplace computers may have restrictions that block this view.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can find saved passwords through Settings > Network > WiFi > Manage Known Networks, then select the network and choose "Show" next to the password field.
  • Mac users can open Keychain Access from Applications > Utilities, search for the network name, double-click it, check "Show password", and enter their Mac login password.
  • The password you see is the actual WiFi password you entered when you first connected, not a temporary code.
  • If you cannot see the password field or it appears blank, your network may use a security setting that hides it, or you may not have saved the password when you connected.

Find Your Password on Windows 10 or Windows 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click "Network and Internet" in the left sidebar. Select "WiFi" from the menu options.

Under the WiFi section, click "Manage Known Networks". A list of every wireless network your computer has ever connected to will appear. Find the network name (called the SSID) that you want the password for, and click it. A window will open showing the network details.

Look for the "Security type" field and below it a field labeled "Password". Click the eye icon or the word "Show" next to the password field. Windows will ask you to confirm your identity — enter your Windows login password and click "OK". The wireless password will now appear in plain text.

Find Your Password on Mac

Open Finder and navigate to Applications > Utilities. Double-click "Keychain Access" to open it. In the search box at the top right, type the name of your wireless network exactly as it appears in your WiFi menu.

When the network name appears in the list, double-click it. A window will pop up showing the network details. At the bottom of this window, check the box next to "Show password". Your Mac will prompt you to enter your login password — type it and press Enter. The wireless password will now display in the password field.

What to Do If the Password Field Is Blank or Hidden

If you see the network name but no password appears, or the password field is grayed out, your computer may not have saved the password when you connected. This sometimes happens if you chose "Don't ask again" without actually entering the correct password, or if the connection was interrupted.

In this case, you will need to reset your router to restore the default password, or contact your internet provider for the original password. Check any paperwork that came with your router — the default password is often printed on a sticker on the device itself. If you have changed the password since setup and cannot find it anywhere, resetting the router to factory settings is the only way to regain access.

Why Your Computer Stores This Password

When you connect to a wireless network and check "Save this network" or "Remember this network", your computer encrypts and stores the password locally. This lets you reconnect automatically without typing the password each time. The password is stored only on that specific computer — other devices on your network do not have access to it unless you tell them the password separately.

This storage is find on your own personal computer. However, if someone gains access to your computer, they could potentially view your wireless password using these same steps. If you are concerned about security, you can change your wireless password through your router's settings, which will force all devices to re-enter the new password before reconnecting.

Retrieve the Password from Your Router Instead

If your computer does not show the password, or you need the password on a device that has never connected to the network, you can find it on the router itself. Most routers have a sticker on the back or bottom with the default network name and password printed on it. If you have changed the password since installation, you will need to log into the router's admin panel.

Open a web browser and type your router's IP address — usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 — into the address bar. Log in using the admin username and password (often "admin" and "admin", or printed on the router sticker). Navigate to the wireless or WiFi settings section. The current password will be displayed there, and you can change it if needed. The exact steps vary by router brand, so check your router's manual if these steps do not match your screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see the password if I am not the computer's owner?

No. Windows and Mac both require you to enter the computer's login password before revealing the wireless password. If you do not have the computer login credentials, you cannot view the stored wireless password through these methods.

Will viewing the password change it or log me out?

No. straightforward viewing the password does not change it, reset it, or affect your current connection. You can view it as many times as you need without any impact on your network.

What if I forgot my Windows or Mac login password?

You will not be able to view the wireless password without entering your computer login password. You would need to reset your computer login password through your computer's recovery options, or retrieve the wireless password from your router instead.

Does this work for networks at my workplace or school?

It may not. Many workplace networks use security settings that prevent passwords from being displayed, or they may require special permissions. If the password field is blank or locked, contact your IT department for the network password.

Can I see passwords for networks I have not connected to yet?

No. Your computer can only show passwords for networks it has previously connected to and saved. To find the password for a network you have never used, you need access to the router or the person who set up that network.