How to Transfer a Wi-Fi Password from One iPhone to Another: All the Methods as of 2026

Transferring your home or office Wi-Fi network password between devices Apple — a problem that every second user faces iPhoneSituations can be different: a guest arrives with a new iPhone, the family buys a second phone, or you simply forget your complex router password. Luckily, Apple ecosystem offers several built-in and third-party ways to share credentials, from automatic synchronization via iCloud Keychain before manual creation QR code with a password.

Many people mistakenly believe that in order to share a password, they must know it by heart or look for it on a sticker on the router. In fact, iOS can exchange such data without entering characters manually — the main thing is that both devices meet the minimum system requirements. In this article, we'll discuss all the current methods, their pros and cons, and provide security tips.

1. Automatically transfer Wi-Fi password between iPhones (iOS 11 and later)

The easiest and fastest method is to use the built-in function Share Wi-Fi password, which appeared in iOS 11 and works on all modern versions of the system. You don't need to install any additional applications or know the password itself—it's enough that both iPhone were unlocked and were nearby.

Algorithm of actions:

• 📱 Bring the second one iPhone (the one to whom the password needs to be transmitted) to the first one at a distance 10–15 cm.
• 🔓 Unlock both devices (via Face ID, Touch ID or PIN code).
• 🌐 On the second iPhone, select the Wi-Fi network you want to connect to (it must be the same as the network on the first device).
• ✅ On the first iPhone a pop-up window will appear with an offer Share Password - click "Send".

Important: This method only works if:

• 🔄 Both devices have been updated to iOS 11 or newer (check in Settings → General → About).
• 👥 Yours Apple ID added to contacts on the second iPhone (or vice versa).
• 📶 Both phones are connected to one Wi-Fi network (or the first one is already connected, and the second one is trying to join).

⚠️ Note: If the pop-up window asking you to share your password does not appear, check if sharing is enabled. Bluetooth And Wi-Fi on both devices. Also make sure that on the second one iPhone the mode is not activated On the plane.

Both iPhones have been updated to iOS 11+.

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled

The devices are unlocked

The sender's Apple ID is in the recipient's contacts.

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2. Password transfer via iCloud Keychain (credentials synchronization)

If you and the recipient have the same password the same Apple ID (for example, a family account), then the most reliable way is synchronization via iCloud KeychainThis method is suitable for transferring not only Wi-Fi passwords, but also passwords for websites, applications, and bank cards.

How to set up:

1. On both iPhone go to Settings → [Your name] → iCloud → Passwords & Keychain.
2. Enable the option Sync this iPhone (if it is disabled).
3. Make sure the function Autofill Passwords activated in Settings → Passwords.
4. On the second device, try connecting to Wi-Fi—the system will automatically retrieve the saved password.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔒 Maximum security — data is encrypted and stored in secure storage Apple.
• 🔄 Works for all saved passwords, and not just for Wi-Fi.
• 📱 Does not require the physical presence of a second device nearby (the password can be transmitted remotely).

⚠️ Attention: If you are using a shared Apple ID for multiple devices, make sure the function is enabled "Two-factor authentication" enabled. This will protect your data from unauthorized access.

3. Generate a QR code with a Wi-Fi password (for any device)

If automatic transfer does not work (for example, the recipient has a different version iOS or Android), can be generated QR code with connection data. This method is universal and works even with devices outside the ecosystem. Apple.

Instructions:

• 📲 Install on your iPhone QR code generating app, for example, «QR Code Generator» or «WiFi Password QR» (free in App Store).
• 🔑 Enter the network name (SSID) and the Wi-Fi password in the appropriate fields.
• 🖼️ Generate a QR code and save it in "Photo".
• 📤 Send the image to the second one iPhone through AirDrop, Messages or messenger.
• 📱 On the second device, open the QR code using the camera or app "Photo" - a prompt to connect to the network will appear.

Advantages of QR code:

• 🌍 Powered by any devices (including Android, Windows, Mac).
• 🔒 The password is not transmitted in clear text (only in encrypted QR code).
• 📎 You can print it out and hang it on the fridge for guests.

4. Transferring a password via AirDrop (for advanced users)

AirDrop - is a technology for wireless file transfer between devices Apple, which can also be useful for exchanging passwords. However, in this case, you'll have to manually create a text file with network data.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Open the app Notes on the first iPhone.
2. Create a new note and enter the following:

   SSID: [network_name]
   Password: [your_Wi-Fi_password]

3. Click Share (button in the upper right corner) and select «AirDrop».
4. Choose the second one iPhone from the list of available devices.
5. On the second phone, accept the file and copy the password to connect.

Limitations of the method:

• 🔓 The password is transmitted to in open form - Do not use this method in public places.
• 📱 It is required that Bluetooth And Wi-Fi were enabled on both devices.
• 🚫 Doesn't work if the recipient has Android or Windows.

What should I do if AirDrop can't find my device?

Make sure both iPhones are set to Settings → General → AirDrop selected For everyone (at least for 10 minutes).

Reset Bluetooth: Turn it off and on again in Control center.

Make sure the distance between devices does not exceed 9 meters.

5. Manually enter the password (if nothing works)

If all the above methods are unavailable for some reason, the classic method remains - find out the password on the first iPhone and enter it manually on the second one. Unfortunately, iOS It doesn't show saved Wi-Fi passwords in plain text, but they can be extracted using workarounds.

How to view your Wi-Fi password iPhone:

• 🖥️ If you have Mac, connected to the same network:
  1. Open "Bunch of keys" (through Spotlight or Programs → Utilities).
  2. Find the name of your Wi-Fi network in the list.
  3. Double-click on the entry and check the box. Show password and enter the password from Mac.

📱 If Mac No, try using jailbreak (not recommended due to security risks) or contact your router:

1. Turn the router over - the sticker usually indicates SSID And default password.
2. If the password has been changed, go to the router's web interface (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and look at the current settings.

⚠️ Warning: Extracting passwords via jailbreak or third-party tools may violate security policy Apple and cause your device to become locked. Use this method only as a last resort.

6. Alternative methods: using a router and third-party applications

If standard methods iOS If these aren't suitable, you can use the router's own capabilities or specialized apps. These methods require a little more effort, but they work 100% of the time.

Method 1: Setting up a guest network on a router

Most modern routers support the function Guest Network — a separate access point with its own password. This is convenient if you don't want to share the main password:

• 🌐 Log in to your router's web interface (the address is on the device's sticker).
• 🔧 Find the section Guest Network or "Advanced Wi-Fi settings".
• 🔑 Create a simple password for guest access (for example, guest1234).
• 📱 Connect the second one iPhone to the guest network.

Method 2: Password sharing apps

IN App Store There are utilities that simplify the transfer of passwords between devices. For example:

• 🔐 «WiFi Password Share» - allows you to send passwords via AirDrop or Messages.
• 📡 «Instabridge» — automatically connects devices to known networks (if they are saved in the application database).
• 🔗 «Password Manager» — stores all passwords (including Wi-Fi) and syncs them between devices.

⚠️ Warning: Before installing third-party apps, check reviews and ratings in App StoreSome utilities may request unnecessary permissions (for example, access to contacts or location).

7. Common mistakes and how to fix them

Even when using built-in functions iOS Users are experiencing problems when transmitting their passwords. Let's look at the most common errors and their solutions:

Problem	Possible cause	Solution
The pop-up window asking to share the password does not appear.	Bluetooth or Wi-Fi is disabled	Turn on both modules in Control center
Devices can't see each other via AirDrop	Different visibility settings	Install For everyone V Settings → AirDrop
The QR code is not recognized	Poor image quality	Regenerate the code at high resolution
iCloud Keychain isn't syncing passwords.	The function has been disabled on one of the devices.	Check the settings in iCloud → Passwords and Keychain

If none of the methods worked, try:

• 🔄 Reboot both iPhone - sometimes this solves synchronization problems.
• 📱 Refresh iOS to the latest version - data transfer errors have been fixed in new versions.
• 📡 Reset network settings on the second device: Settings → General → Transfer or reset → Reset → Reset network settings.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to transfer Wi-Fi password from iPhone to Android?
Yes, but not in all ways. The most reliable options are:
• 🖼️ Generate QR code on iPhone and scan it on Android.
• 📄 Send the password via messenger (for example, Telegram or WhatsApp) manually.
• 🌐 Customize guest network on the router and connect Android to her.

Automatic transfer via iCloud or a pop-up window on Android doesn't work.

Why doesn't iPhone offer to share Wi-Fi password?

There may be several reasons:

• 📵 Bluetooth or Wi-Fi disabled on one of the devices.
• 👤 Yours Apple ID not saved in contacts on the second iPhone.
• 📱 Outdated version iOS (needed) iOS 11 or newer).
• 🔒 The mode is activated on the second device On the plane.

Check all settings and reboot both phones.

How do I transfer my Wi-Fi password if I've forgotten it?

There are three options:

1. View on router: Turn the device over - the sticker indicates SSID and the default password (if you haven't changed it).
2. Use Mac: open A bunch of keys, find the Wi-Fi network and show the password.
3. Reset the router: press the button Reset on the back panel (hold for 10 seconds), after which the network will return to factory settings.

Is it possible to share a Wi-Fi password via iMessage?

Direct password transfer function via iMessage no, but you can:

• 📎 Send QR code with password as an image.
• 📝 Write the password in a message (unsafe if intercepted).
• 🔗 Send a link to the generated QR code (for example, via qifi.org).

Does password transfer work between iPhone and iPad?

Yes, all the methods described (pop-up window, iCloud Keychain, AirDrop, QR code) work between iPhone And iPad, If:

• 📱 Both devices have been updated to iOS/iPadOS 11 or newer.
• 👥 One is used Apple ID (For iCloud Keychain) or the contact is saved in the phone book.
• 🔄 Included Wi-Fi And Bluetooth.