Where to find your Wi-Fi password: full instructions

It's quite common to need to connect a new device to a wireless network but lose or forget the access key. Users often change default settings to complex combinations for security reasons, but eventually forget them. Fortunately, operating systems and routers store this information in their registries, allowing you to restore access without a complex hardware reset.

There are several proven methods that allow find out the Wi-Fi password, without resorting to hackers or paid programs. Most methods are available using native tools in Windows, macOS, or mobile operating systems. The only requirement is physical access to a device already connected to the network or to the router itself.

In this article, we'll cover the steps for various platforms in detail. You'll learn how to find saved keys in hidden settings menus, use the command line for diagnostics, and understand where to find factory data. This will help you quickly restore the connection at any time.

Finding a password on a connected Windows computer

The Windows operating system automatically saves profiles of all networks your computer has ever connected to. Even if you disconnect from Wi-Fi, the encryption key remains in memory. To find it, you need to access the Network and Sharing Center. This method works on all current OS versions, from Windows 7 to Windows 11.

Open the Control Panel and go to the section Network and Sharing CenterIn the left pane of the window, select "Change adapter settings." Find the icon for your wireless connection, right-click it, and select "Status." In the window that opens, click the button Wireless Network Properties.

In the new dialog box, go to the "Security" tab. You'll see the "Network Security Key" field, where the characters are hidden behind asterisks. Check the "Show entered characters" box. The hidden text will immediately become visible, allowing you to copy or write it.

• 🔍 Right-click the Wi-Fi icon in the tray and select "Network & Internet settings".
• 🔍 Go to "Advanced network settings" and find "Advanced sharing settings".
• 🔍 Use the command control ncpa.cpl for quick access to adapters.
• 🔍 Make sure your account has administrator rights to view security properties.

What should I do if the Security tab is unavailable?

If you can't access the Security tab or the button is grayed out, it may mean the current user doesn't have administrator rights. Try running Command Prompt as administrator and using the CMD method described below. Access is also sometimes blocked by group policies on corporate networks.

An alternative and faster method for advanced users is to use the command line. This method displays a list of all saved networks and their keys in text format. This is especially useful if the graphical interface is not working correctly.

Using the command line to recover the key

The Windows Command Prompt (CMD) or PowerShell provide direct access to network configuration through a utility netshThis tool allows you to manage network settings and reveal hidden information. This method requires precise command entry, but produces instant results.

Run Command Prompt as administrator. Enter the command netsh wlan show profiles and press Enter. The system will display a list of all Wi-Fi profiles ever used on this PC. Find your network name in the list.

Now enter the command to display the details of a specific profile: netsh wlan show profile name="Network_Name" key=clearReplace "Network_Name" with the exact name of your Wi-Fi network. In the "Security Settings" section, find the "Key Contents" line—this is your password.

netsh wlan show profile name="HomeWiFi" key=clear

If you have forgotten the exact name of the network, the command netsh wlan show profiles will display it in quotation marks. Pay attention to the case and spaces when entering the profile name in the second command. A single character error will result in a message about the profile not existing.

• 📟 Use the Tab key to autocomplete the profile name after typing name="".
• 📟 The command only works if the computer has connected to this network at least once.
• 📟 To copy the result, you can select the text in the CMD window with the right mouse button.
• 📟 Close the Command Prompt window after use to avoid leaving it open.

This method is the most reliable, as it doesn't rely on graphical interfaces, which can vary across Windows builds. It extracts data directly from the system security registry.

How to find out the password on an Android smartphone

Android device owners can find the saved password directly in the system settings. Starting with Android 10, Google has implemented a convenient QR code feature for Wi-Fi sharing, which also displays the key in text format. On older versions (before Android 10), access can be restricted without root access.

Go to Settings → Wi-Fi (or "Network & Internet"). Tap the name of the network you're connected to or the gear icon next to it. In the menu that opens, select "Share" or "QR code." The system will ask you to verify your identity with a PIN or fingerprint.

After successful authentication, a QR code will appear on the screen for connecting other devices. A text password is often displayed underneath or next to it. If the text is hidden, take a screenshot and open it in the Google Lens app—the camera will recognize the text and display the key.

⚠️ Note: The interface may differ on some smartphone models (e.g., Xiaomi, Samsung). Look for the "Share" button or QR code icon in the settings menu of your specific access point.

For devices without the password display function (old Android), the only standard method is to obtain root rightsThis gives access to the system file. /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf, where all keys are stored in cleartext. However, rooting may void the warranty and disrupt banking apps.

• 📱 Open Wi-Fi settings and find your currently active network.
• 📱 Tap "Share" and scan the code with the camera of another phone.
• 📱 Use Google Lens to recognize text in a QR code screenshot.
• 📱 On older Android devices, root access to system configuration files is required.

Recovering access on iPhone and iPad (iOS)

For a long time, Apple users were unable to view their Wi-Fi password directly on their device. However, with the release of iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, the company added this long-awaited feature to Settings. Now the process is as simple as on Android.

Open Settings and go to the "Wi-Fi" section. Find the network whose password you need. To the right of the network name, click the blue information icon (the letter "i" in a circle). In the menu that opens, find the line "Password."

The password characters will be hidden by dots. Tap the password field. The system will ask you to authenticate using biometrics (Face ID or Touch ID) or enter your device unlock code. Once confirmed, the dots will turn into readable text that can be copied.

If you have an older version of iOS but have a Mac with iCloud Keychain sync enabled, you can find the password in the Keychain Access app on macOS. Find the network name in the list, open its properties, and check the "Show password" box.

Viewing the key through the router's web interface

The most universal method, which works regardless of the type of connected device (TV, set-top box, old phone), is to access the router's settings. To do this, you need to know the gateway address and the login credentials for the admin panel.

Connect to your router via cable or Wi-Fi. Open your browser and enter the device's IP address in the address bar. Most often, this is 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.31.1The exact address is indicated on the sticker on the bottom of the router.

Enter your username and password to log in. If you haven't changed them, they're also listed on the sticker (often admin/admin). After logging in, find the "Wireless" or "Wi-Fi" section. In the "Security" subsection, you'll see a "Password" or "Pre-Shared Key" field.

⚠️ Note: Router interfaces from different manufacturers (TP-Link, Asus, Keenetic, D-Link) vary significantly. Look for tabs labeled "Wireless," "WLAN," or an antenna icon. The menu may also be called "Wi-Fi Settings."

If you changed your router's password and forgot it, you'll need to perform a factory reset. To do this, press and hold the Reset button on the router for 10-15 seconds. This will reset the device to the factory settings listed on the sticker, but you'll need to reconfigure your internet settings.

• 🌐 The entry address is often written on a sticker on the bottom of the router case.
• 🌐 Standard logins: admin/admin, admin/password, root/admin.
• 🌐 The settings section is usually called Wireless or WLAN.
• 🌐 After a reset, the Internet may stop working until you configure it again.

Using third-party programs and utilities

There are many password recovery programs available, such as WirelessKeyView, WiFi Password Decryptor, or Magical WiFi. They automatically scan the Windows registry and list all saved networks with keys. Using such software is worthwhile if standard methods seem too complicated.

However, caution is advised. Downloading utilities from untrusted websites can lead to computer viruses. Furthermore, antivirus software often classifies such programs as potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), as they exploit system vulnerabilities to access data.

We recommend using only proven tools from reputable developers (such as NirSoft) and always scan files with an antivirus before launching them. In most cases, built-in Windows or Android tools perform just as well as specialized software.

WirelessKeyView (NirSoft) - portable version does not require installation

Please remember that WiFi crackers are illegal and often contain malicious code. Legal recovery is only possible for networks your device already has access to or is authorized to access.

⚠️ Warning: Programs for hacking into other people's networks are illegal. Use software only to recover your own forgotten passwords. Antivirus software may block such utilities, considering them hacker tools.

Is it possible to find out the password if I have never connected to this network?

No, it's impossible to find out the password remotely without access to the router or a previously connected device without exploiting vulnerabilities (which are patched by manufacturers) or social engineering. WPA2/WPA3 encryption reliably protects data transmission.

Where can I find the password if it is listed as "PIN" on the router sticker?

A PIN code and a Wi-Fi password are different. A PIN is used for quick connection via WPS. The Wi-Fi password (WPA key) on new routers is often randomly generated and also listed on the sticker. If it's missing, the router was sold without a password (an open network when first turned on) or the password was set by the user during initial setup.

What to do if none of the methods helped?

The only solution is to reset the router to factory settings using the Reset button. This will reset the password to the value on the sticker. After that, you'll need to reconfigure your internet connection (PPPoE, L2TP, or dynamic IP) provided by your ISP.