Many users are familiar with the situation of needing to connect a new device to a wireless network but hopelessly forgetting the password. We often change the factory settings to complex combinations for security reasons, but fail to write them down. At this point, a natural question arises: where can I find my WiFi password without resetting the router and reconfiguring it?
Fortunately, modern operating systems and hardware store access keys in their databases. Even if you never wrote down this code, it's likely saved in the memory of a computer or smartphone that's already connected to the network. You can restore access without losing your settings using standard tools for Windows, macOS, or mobile platforms.
In this guide, we'll cover all possible methods for finding lost data. You'll learn how to find it through the operating system interface, the command line, and even your router's web interface. This will allow you to quickly restore the connection and connect guest devices or new equipment.
Finding a password on a Windows 10 or 11 computer
The easiest way to find the access key is to look it up in your operating system settings if your PC or laptop is already connected to the desired network. Windows stores connection profiles, including secret keys, in encrypted form, but provides a convenient interface for viewing them.
To get started, open the menu Parameters via the Start button or the Win+I keyboard shortcut. Go to the section Network and Internet, and then select Wi-FiHere you need to find the option to manage known networks. In Windows 11, this is done through the menu. Managing known networks, where you need to select the desired profile and press the button View or Properties.
In the window that opens, find the field Network security keyThe symbols are initially hidden by asterisks. To see them, check the checkbox. Show entered charactersThe system may require administrator privileges to perform this action. If you don't have administrator privileges, this method may not work, and you'll have to find a workaround.
An alternative method for advanced users is to use the command line. This method is especially useful if the graphical interface is not working correctly.
netsh wlan show profile name="Your_Network_Name" key=clearIn the command output, find the line Key content (Key Content). This is where your password will be displayed in clear text. This method works on all versions of Windows, starting with Windows 7.
How to find out the password on macOS and iPhone
Apple ecosystem users have their own tools for managing saved passwords. In macOS, all keys are stored in iCloud Keychain. This centralized password storage is synced across devices under a single Apple ID.
On your Mac, open the program Bunch of keys (Keychain Access). You can find it via Spotlight (Cmd+Space) or in the Applications → Utilities folder. In the list on the left, select the "Passwords" category, then enter the name of your Wi-Fi network in the search.
Double-click the network name you found. In the window that opens, check the box. Show passwordThe system will ask you to enter your Mac account password or use Touch ID to verify your identity. After successful authentication, you will see the code you were looking for.
⚠️ Attention: iPhone and iPad devices with iOS 16 and later now have a convenient way to view passwords directly in Settings. Go to
Settings → Wi-Fi, tap the blue "i" icon next to the active network, and tap the hidden "Password" field. The device will recognize your face or finger and display the code. On older versions of iOS, this option isn't available through the interface.
If you have an older iPhone but a Mac, your password is synced via iCloud. Simply enable Keychain sync in iCloud settings on both devices. This will allow you to view the WiFi password saved on your phone directly on your computer.
Restoring access via Android
On Android smartphones, the situation is a bit more complicated due to Google's security policies. However, Android 10 and higher have a built-in password sharing feature via QR code, which allows you to view the key in plain text.
Go to Settings → Wi-Fi (or Connections). Click the gear next to the name of the network you are connected to, or select the option Share / QR codeA QR code for connecting another device will appear on the screen.
The text "Password: your_password" is often displayed beneath the QR code image. If the text is hidden, you can take a screenshot and open it in any QR code reader app or Google Lens. The camera will scan the code and display a connection string containing the password.
For rooted devices, there are file managers that allow you to look into system configuration files. The path to the file usually looks like this: /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.confThis text file stores all passwords ever entered in the field psk.
What to do if the QR code doesn't display text
Finding the key in the router's web interface
If none of the devices are connected, or you want to find out the password for the guest account, the best way is to access the router's settings. To do this, the device must be connected to the router via cable or WiFi (if internet access is not needed yet, only the local network).
Open your browser and enter your router's IP address into the address bar. Most often, this is 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1The exact address, login, and password for entry are written on a sticker on the bottom of the device. Standard data is often admin/admin or admin/password.
After authorization, you need to find the section responsible for the wireless network. Depending on the router model (TP-Link, Asus, D-Link, Keenetic), the names may differ: Wireless, Wi-Fi, Wireless modeLook for the subsection inside Security settings (Wireless Security).
It is in this section that the field is located Wireless network password (Wireless Password, PSK Key). Here you can not only view the current code, but also change it to a more complex one if you don't think the current one is secure enough. Don't forget to save your changes by clicking Save or Apply.
| Router brand | Entrance address | Settings section | Authorization type |
|---|---|---|---|
| TP-Link | 192.168.0.1 | Wireless → Wireless Security | WPA2-PSK |
| Asus | 192.168.1.1 | Wireless Network → Security Method | WPA2-Personal |
| D-Link | 192.168.0.1 | Wi-Fi → Security Settings | WPA2-PSK |
| Keenetic | 192.168.1.1 | My Networks and Wi-Fi → Home Network | WPA2/WPA3 |
What should I do if my router login password has been changed?
If the default admin/admin password doesn't work, it's been changed. In this case, the only solution is a full reset of the router to factory settings (press and hold the Reset button for 10-15 seconds). After this, the router will work with the settings on the sticker, but you'll have to set up the internet again.
Using the Command Prompt and PowerShell
For those who prefer console commands or can't find the desired menu item, there are universal scripts. They allow you to display information about all saved networks at once.
Launch Command Prompt (CMD) as administrator. Enter the following command to display a list of all profiles:
netsh wlan show profilesYou'll see a list of all networks the computer has ever connected to. To display the password for a specific network, use the command we discussed earlier, but you can also do this for all networks at once by creating a small batch file or using PowerShell.
In PowerShell, you can use the following script for bulk output:
netsh wlan show profiles | Select-String "\:(.+)$" | %{$name=$_.Matches.Groups[1].Value.Trim(); $_} | %{(netsh wlan show profile name="$name" key=clear)} | Select-String "Key Content\W+\:(.+)$" | %{$pass=$_.Matches.Groups[1].Value.Trim(); [PSCustomObject]@{ PROFILE_NAME=$name;PASSWORD=$pass}} | Format-Table -AutoSizeThis method is especially useful for system administrators who need to quickly collect data from multiple computers in an office. It eliminates human error and manual menu searching.
Third-party programs and their risks
There are many utilities on the Internet that promise to "hack" or "show" WiFi passwords. Programs like WirelessKeyView NirSoft's tools can actually extract saved keys from the Windows registry. They work by reading the system files where the OS stores this data.
However, using third-party software carries risks. Firstly, antivirus programs often flag such utilities as HackTool or PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) viruses, as they are used by hackers to steal data. Secondly, by downloading a cracked version of such a program, you risk infecting your computer with a real stealer virus that will steal passwords for banks and social media.
We recommend using only proven portable utilities from the developers' official websites if standard Windows methods are unavailable. However, in 99% of cases, the system's built-in tools are more than sufficient.
⚠️ Attention: Never use brute-force password cracking programs on other people's networks. This is illegal. All methods described in this article are intended solely for restoring access to your personal network for which you have forgotten the key.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to find out the WiFi password if I have never connected to this network from this device?
No, it's technically impossible to find out a password remotely unless you have access to the router or other device where the password is already stored. WiFi is encrypted, and without the key, it's impossible to decrypt traffic or find the password out of thin air.
What should I do if the password on the router sticker has been erased?
If the sticker is illegible and you cannot access the router settings (or don’t know the password for the admin panel), there is only one option left: reset the router using the button ResetAfter the reset, it will return to factory settings, and the password will be the one specified in the instructions or on the manufacturer's website for this model.
Is it safe to save your password in the cloud (iCloud/Google)?
Yes, it's secure. Data in iCloud and Google Accounts is encrypted during transmission and storage. The risk of your WiFi password being leaked via the cloud is minimal compared to the risk of writing it down on a piece of paper that others might see.
Why does Windows say "Unable to save network settings"?
This is a common error when trying to change WiFi settings. It can occur due to a driver or Windows service conflict. Try deleting the network (forgetting the network) in the settings and reconnecting, entering the password manually.