by The Computing Australia Group | 5-Min Wi-Fi
Password Help
Stuck at the ‘Enter Wi-Fi password’ screen on a new laptop or phone? You’re not alone.
The good news: in 2025 it’s quicker than ever to reveal a saved Wi-Fi password on Windows, macOS, iPhone/iPad, and Android. This guide gives you fast, reliable methods for the most common devices plus pro tips, command-line options, QR sharing, router methods, and troubleshooting – so you can get back online in minutes.
Who this is for: Home users, small businesses, and anyone who needs to retrieve an already-saved Wi-Fi password (also called the security key).
What you’ll need:The device must have previously connected to the Wi-Fi network (or you’ll need access to your router’s admin page/ISP app).
Quick Reference: Methods by Device
| Device / OS | Fastest Path | Alternate / Advanced |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 11 (23H2+) | Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → your network → View Wi-Fi security key | Control Panel path; netsh command |
| Windows 10 | Control Panel → Wi-Fi adapter → Status → Wireless Properties → | netsh command (all profiles) |
| macOS Ventura / Sonoma | Keychain Access → search SSID → Show password | System Settings → Network → Wi-Fi → “…” → Copy Password; Terminal command |
| iPhone / iPad (iOS 16–18) | Settings → Wi-Fi → “i” next to network → Password (Face/Touch ID) | Share with contacts; Personal Hotspot QR |
| Android 10–15 (Pixel/Stock) | Settings → Network & Internet → Internet → your Wi-Fi → Share (QR + password) | OEM variations; Google Home app (mesh) |
| Samsung One UI 6/7 | Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi → your network → QR Code | Long-press network in quick panel |
| Chromebook | Quick Settings → Wi-Fi → “i” → View password (PIN) | Crosh shell export (admin-managed) |
| Routers / Mesh (fallback) | ISP app (e.g., Telstra, Optus) or router web page → Wireless → Show/Reveal | Label on router; reset & re-secure |
Windows: Reveal a Saved Wi-Fi Password
Method 1 - Control Panel (Windows 10 & 11)
1. Press Win + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.
2. Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter → Status → Wireless Properties.
3. Open the Security tab and tick Show characters to reveal the password.
Tip: If the Show characters checkbox is greyed out, you may not have admin rights on the device. Sign in with an administrator account.
Method 2 - Windows 11 (23H2 and later)
Microsoft finally added a clear, modern path:
1. Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi.
2. Click your connected network.
3. Choose View Wi-Fi security key.
Method 3 - Command Line (Windows 10 & 11)
- Show password for a specific SSID:
1. Press Win + X → Terminal (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin).
2. Run:
Powershell
netsh wlan show profile name=”Your_SSID” key=clear
3. Look for Key Content under Security settings.
- List all saved Wi-Fi profiles:
Powershell
netsh wlan show profiles
Then run the first command for any profile of interest.
macOS (Ventura / Sonoma): Two Easy Options
Option A - Keychain Access (works on Ventura & Sonoma)
1. Open Applications → Utilities → Keychain Access.
2. In the search bar, type your Wi-Fi network name (SSID).
3. Double-click the matching item, tick Show password, and authenticate with your Mac login (Touch ID/Apple Watch if enabled).
4. The password is revealed.
Option B - System Settings (Sonoma’s streamlined route)
1. System Settings → Network → Wi-Fi.
2. Click the “…” next to the network → Copy Password.
3. Authenticate to reveal and copy.
Bonus - Terminal (for power users)
If you’re comfortable with Terminal:
security find-generic-password -ga “Your_SSID” 2>&1 | grep “password:”
You’ll be prompted for your macOS credentials; the password is shown inline.
iPhone & iPad (iOS 16–18): Copy or Share in Seconds
1. Settings → Wi-Fi.
2. Tap the “i” next to the connected network.
3. Tap Password and authenticate with Face ID/Touch ID.
4. Copy it or show it to someone nearby.
Android (10–15): View & Share (QR + Plain Text)
Stock Android / Pixel (Android 10–15)
1. Settings → Network & Internet → Internet (or Wi-Fi on some builds).
2. Tap your connected network → Share (lock icon).
3. Authenticate (PIN/biometrics).
4. A QR code appears with the plain-text password below it. Copy or show the QR to others.
Samsung (One UI 6/7)
1. Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi.
2. Tap your connected network.
3. Tap QR Code. The password displays underneath the QR code.
Chromebooks: Quick View (and Admin Notes)
1. Click Quick Settings (bottom-right) → Wi-Fi.
2. Click the “i” (details) next to your connected network.
3. Choose View password and authenticate with your PIN or Google account
No Device Has the Password? Use Your Router or ISP App
If none of your devices has the password saved, you can reveal or reset it from the router or mesh system.
Option A - ISP / Mesh Apps (the easiest modern route)
Most providers and mesh systems have a mobile app that shows or changes Wi-Fi credentials:
- Telstra / Optus / Vodafone Apps: Look for Wi-Fi or My Network → Show/Reveal Password or Share.
- Mesh systems (e.g., Google Nest Wi-Fi, Eero, Orbi, Deco): Open the app → Wi-Fi settings → Network → Show password (often with QR share).
Pro tip: ISP and mesh apps often let you create a guest network with its own password. Ideal for visitors and IoT gadgets.
Option B - Router Web Page
1. Connect to the router (via Ethernet or Wi-Fi)
5. Find the Security or Password field and click Show/Reveal.
Important: If you must change the password, note that all devices will disconnect and must rejoin using the new key. Plan brief downtime.
Option C - Check the Router’s Physical Label
Many routers print the default SSID and Wi-Fi key on the underside or back. If you never personalised your Wi-Fi password, that label is still valid.
Option D - Last Resort: Reset & Re-secure
If all else fails and you have physical access:
1. Hold the router’s Reset pinhole button for ~10 seconds to restore factory defaults.
3. Immediately change the admin password and Wi-Fi key to something strong and unique.
Share Your Wi-Fi Quickly (QR Codes & Links)
- iPhone/iPad: The Wi-Fi screen shows Password; you can copy it or auto-share to a nearby Apple device.
- Android / Samsung: Use Share/QR Code from your Wi-Fi details; friends can scan to join.
- Windows/macOS: Generate your own QR from the password and SSID using a trusted offline QR tool (e.g., within a password manager). Print and keep it in a safe place.
Security best practice: Prefer QR sharing over reading the password out loud. You’ll reduce typos and shoulder-surfing.
Security & Privacy Best Practices (Don’t Skip These)
- Use a password manager to store Wi-Fi credentials safely and share with family/team members when needed.
- Update your Wi-Fi password regularly, especially if you’ve shared it widely or suspect it was exposed.
- Create a guest network for visitors and smart home devices. You can throttle bandwidth and stop them from seeing other devices on your main LAN.
- Disable WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) if possible; the PIN method is vulnerable to brute-force attacks on many older routers.
- Use WPA2-AES or WPA3 wherever available-avoid mixed or outdated modes like WEP.
- Change the router’s admin password (separate from the Wi-Fi password) and keep firmware up to date.
- Label your SSID sensibly-avoid personal info like your surname or apartment number.
Troubleshooting: Common Roadblocks & Fixes
You likely don’t have admin rights. Log in as an administrator or use the netsh method in an elevated Terminal.
2. My device was never connected to this Wi-Fi.
You can’t reveal what isn’t saved. Use the router/ISP app method or ask someone already connected to share via QR.
3. The network uses WPA2-Enterprise (office Wi-Fi).
Enterprise networks often issue certificates or per-user credentials that aren’t exposed as a shared password. Contact IT; revealing passwords may be blocked by policy.
Ensure the QR is for the current SSID and band (2.4 vs 5 GHz). On some dual-band networks, there are separate names and keys.
Forget/remove the network on each device and reconnect with the new password. On Windows, you can also Network Reset (Settings → Network & Internet → Advanced network settings).
Some ISP-branded meshes limit visibility. Try the provider’s app (not the OEM app), or sign into the router web page with the admin credentials printed on the device.
7. The password field shows dots on the router page and won’t reveal.
That interface may hide it by design. Change the password to a new strong one, save, and reconnect devices.
Power Tips for Power Users
Audit All Saved Wi-Fi Networks (Windows)
Use this to clean up old profiles or standardise names across laptops.
Export Wi-Fi Profiles (Windows)
This exports XML profiles (including keys) to re-import on a new machine.
List Preferred Networks (macOS)
(Replace en0 if needed; use ifconfig to confirm the Wi-Fi interface.)
Smart Home, TVs, Consoles & IoT: Getting Them Online
-
Smart TVs & Consoles (PlayStation/Xbox/Nintendo):
Use your phone to display a QR code of your Wi-Fi. Many modern TVs now support joining via QR, or you can tether via Personal Hotspot temporarily to run updates. -
Printers & IoT Gadgets:
If the device supports Wi-Fi Easy Connect (DPP) or WPS alternatives, follow the vendor app to provision securely. When in doubt, put IoT devices on a guest network. -
Mesh Naming Tip:
Name both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands with the same SSID on modern mesh systems.
Jargon Buster (Plain-English Definitions)
- SSID - Service Set Identifier: the name of your Wi-Fi network (what you see in the list when you connect).
- Wi-Fi password / Key / Security Key - The secret phrase used to join your Wi-Fi.
- WPA2 / WPA3 - Modern Wi-Fi security standards. WPA3 is the newest and most secure; WPA2-AES is still widely used and acceptable.
- Router - The box that broadcasts your Wi-Fi and connects your home network to the internet (sometimes combined with a modem).
- Mesh system - A multi-node Wi-Fi system (e.g., Google Nest, Orbi, Eero) that improves coverage across larger homes.
- Guest network - A separate Wi-Fi network for visitors/devices, isolated from your main devices.
- WPS - A pairing method on older routers. Often insecure; best to disable.
Best-Practice Setup: Make “What’s the Wi-Fi?” a Non-Issue
- Store your Wi-Fi details in a password manager and share them with family/staff as needed.
- Print a QR code card for your home or reception desk (guest network only).
- Set WPA3 (or WPA2-AES) and disable old protocols.
- Update router firmware quarterly and schedule auto-updates if available.
- Keep an emergency Ethernet cable handy; it makes router admin changes safer when Wi-Fi is down.
Copy-Paste Cheat Sheet
- Windows (23H2+): Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → your network → View Wi-Fi security key
- Windows 10/11: ncpa.cpl → Wi-Fi adapter → Status → Wireless Properties → Security → Show characters
- Windows CLI: netsh wlan show profile name="SSID" key=clear
- macOS (Keychain): Keychain Access → search SSID → Show password (authenticate)
- macOS (Settings): System Settings → Network → Wi-Fi → “…” → Copy Password
- iOS 16–18: Settings → Wi-Fi → “i” → Password (Face/Touch ID)
- Android 10–15: Settings → Network & Internet → Internet → your Wi-Fi → Share (QR + password)
- Samsung One UI 6/7: Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi → your network → QR Code
- Router/ISP app: Open app → Wi-Fi → Show/Share password
FAQ
Can I see someone else’s Wi-Fi password on my phone?
Only if your device has already connected and saved it. Otherwise, you’ll need the router/ISP app or the owner’s permission.
Is sharing by QR code safe?
Yes-safer than reading it aloud or typing it on a stranger’s device. The plain text is visible on some Android/Samsung share screens, so still share with people you trust.
My router label shows a different network name.
You or your ISP may have customised the SSID since setup. Use the ISP/mesh app or router admin page to confirm the current SSID and password.
Do I need to change my Wi-Fi password regularly?
It’s wise if you’ve shared it widely or had guests. For most homes, changing every 6 – 12 months is a good balance. For businesses, rotate on a policy schedule and use guest networks.
What about public Wi-Fi?
Public Wi-Fi often has a captive portal (no password) or a shared password-assume it’s untrusted. Use a VPN and avoid sensitive logins.
