How to transfer a Wi-Fi password from your phone to your laptop: all the steps in 5 minutes

Forgot your home Wi-Fi password, and the sticker on the router has long since worn off? Or need to connect a guest's laptop to your network but don't want to type out a complex combination of characters? You can transfer the Wi-Fi password from your phone to your laptop in minutes— without access to the router and without installing questionable programs. In this article, we'll look at 7 proven methods, including hidden functions Android And iOS, as well as universal methods for any devices.

Modern smartphones store all saved passwords for Wi-Fi networks, but manufacturers do not always make them available to the user "with one click." Android starting with version 10 a built-in password viewing function has appeared, and iPhone This will require a workaround through iCloud Keychain or Network configuratorBut even if you have an older phone model, there is a solution: from scanning a QR code to using the command line on a laptop.

⚠️ Attention: Some methods require administrator rights on the laptop or unlocking the bootloader on AndroidIf you're sharing your password with someone else, make sure the owner can't later recover it from their connection history.

1. Method for Android: View password in settings (without root)

Starting from Android 10Google has added the ability to view saved Wi-Fi passwords directly in Settings. This is the easiest way if you have a relatively new smartphone.Samsung Galaxy S20+, Xiaomi Redmi Note 11, Google Pixel 6 and newer).

How to find the password:

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi and networks → Wi-Fi.
2. Click on the name of your network (connected or saved).
3. Tap the button Share (or Share (on English firmware).
4. Enter your PIN or scan your fingerprint to confirm.

After this, the following will appear on the screen: QR code and the password itself in text form. It can be copied or shown to the laptop for scanning. If the buttons Share no - then it's your version Android is outdated (see method #3).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example, MIUI from Xiaomi) The password may be displayed as dots. To see the symbols, click the eye icon next to the field.

Check your Android version (must be 10+)

Update the firmware in Settings → System → Software Update

Restart your phone

Try another method from the article-->

2. Method for iPhone: Export password via iCloud Keychain

On iPhone And iPad Apple hides Wi-Fi passwords deeper than ever Android, but they can be extracted through iCloud Keychain (if sync is enabled) This method works on iOS 14 and newer, including iPhone 15 Pro And iPad Air 5.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Apple ID (your name) → iCloud → Keychain and make sure the switch is active.
2. On a laptop (if it is MacBook) open Network configurator through Spotlight (click Cmd + Space and enter the name).
3. Select your Wi-Fi network → More → Show password.
4. Enter your account password Mac.

If you have a laptop on Windows, use workaround:

1. On iPhone install the application WiFi Passwords (available in App Store).
2. The application scanner is a QR code with a password, which can then be shown to the laptop.

3. Universal method: QR code with password

The most secure way to transfer a Wi-Fi password from your phone to your laptop is to generate one. QR code, which the laptop can scan. This works on any device, including Windows 11, macOS Ventura And Linux (with camera).

How to create a QR code on Android:

1. Install the application WiFi Key Recovery (does not require root).
2. Select your network from the list of saved ones.
3. Click Generate QR Code.
4. Show the code to the laptop camera (see instructions below).

How to scan a QR code on a laptop:

• 🪟 Windows 11/10: Open Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Manage known networks → Add network via QR code.
• 🍎 MacBook: IN Network Configurator select Add network → QR code.
• 🐧 Linux: Use the utility qrencode or an online scanner (for example, zbar-tools).

QR code

View your password in Android settings

Export via iCloud

Command line on a laptop-->

4. For Advanced Users: Extracting Password via ADB (Android)

If you have Android older than version 10 or custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), you can extract the password through Android Debug Bridge (ADB)This method requires connecting your phone to your laptop via USB and enabling developer mode.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Activate Developer mode: go to Settings → About phone → Build number and tap on it 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → System → Developer Options and turn it on USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your laptop and trust the device.
4. On your laptop, open Command line (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux) and enter:

   adb shell
   su
   cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml | grep -oP '(?<=psk=")[^"]*'

⚠️ Attention: Teams su require root rightsWithout them you will get an error. Permission denied. On some firmware (for example, Samsung One UI) the path to the password file may differ: /data/misc/apexdata/com.android.wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml.

What to do if ADB doesn't see the device?

Install the drivers for your phone model (download from the manufacturer's website).

Check if it is enabled USB debugging in the developer settings.

Try a different USB cable (preferably the original one).

Restart your phone and laptop.

5. Alternative for Windows: View Password on a Laptop

If your laptop is on Windows If you've connected to this network before, you can retrieve the password directly from the system—without using your phone. This will work even if you've forgotten the combination.

How to find a saved password:

1. Click Win + R, enter ncpa.cpl and press Enter.
2. Right-click on your Wi-Fi adapter → Status → Wireless Properties.
3. Go to the tab Security and check the box Show entered characters.

If the network is not in the list, but the laptop was connected to it before, use Command line:

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

In the line Key content (Key Content) the password will be displayed.

6. For technical users: WPS and P2P (Wi-Fi Direct)

If your router supports WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup), you can connect your laptop to the network without entering a password. This method works on most modern routers (TP-Link Archer C6, ASUS RT-AX55, Keenetic).

How to connect via WPS:

• 📱 On your phone: go to Wi-Fi Settings → Advanced → WPS (or Connection via WPS).
• 💻 On a laptop: In the list of networks, select yours and click Connect via WPS (V Windows 11 This option appears after clicking on the network).
• 🔄 On the router: press the physical button WPS (usually on the back panel) for 2 minutes.

Wi-Fi Direct (P2P) — an alternative if WPS is disabled. In this case, the phone distributes the internet as an access point, and the laptop connects to it without a password. Disadvantage: this creates new network, and does not transmit the password from the existing one.

7. Cloud services: Google Drive, Telegram, Keep

If none of the methods worked, you can copy the password manually from your phone and transfer it to your laptop via the cloud. This is a universal method, but requires internet access (at least via mobile data).

How to transfer a password:

1. Find the password on your phone using any of the methods above (for example, via ADB or iCloud Keychain).
2. Copy it and paste it into:
   • 📄 Google Docs (create a file and share the link).
   • ☁️ Telegram (send a message to yourself in Saved Messages).
   • 📝 Google Keep (create a note and sync).

Open the file on your laptop and enter the password manually.

⚠️ Attention: Do not send your password via SMS or instant messengers (for example, WhatsApp or Viber), if the laptop is connected to a public network. Attackers can intercept messages through protocol vulnerabilities.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To make your decision easier, we've compiled the key pros and cons of each method in a table:

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to transfer a password from an iPhone to an Android laptop?

Yes, but with limitations. The easiest way is to generate a QR code through the app. WiFi Passwords (available in App Store) and scan it with your laptop's camera. Alternatively, you can manually copy the password from iCloud Keychain (if you have MacBook) and send it to yourself through Telegram or Google Keep.

Why is there no "Share" password button in Android settings?

This means that:

• Do you have Android versions below 10 (update firmware).
• The manufacturer has removed the function (for example, on some models Huawei or Meizu).
• You are trying to view the password for a network to which the phone has never connected.

In this case, use ADB or QR code.

Is it safe to use WPS to transfer password?

WPS is convenient, but unsafeA protocol vulnerability allows a PIN code to be brute-forced within a few hours. If you only need to transmit the password once, the risk is minimal. But after connecting the laptop Disable WPS in your router settings. (192.168.1.1 → Wireless Network → WPS).

Is it possible to find out the password for the Wi-Fi connection my phone connected to a year ago?

Yes, if the network is saved in the phone's memory. Android all passwords are stored in a file /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml (available through ADB or root). On iPhone they sync with iCloud Keychain indefinitely unless data clearing has been performed.

What to do if none of the methods work?

There are two options left:

1. Reset the router to factory settings (button Reset on the back panel) and set up Wi-Fi again. Cons: You'll have to reconnect all your devices.
2. View the password on another device that is connected to the network (for example, on Smart TV or a second laptop).