You are trying to connect your laptop to your home Wi-Fi, but the password is only written in iPhone? Or is the guest asking for network access, and dictating a complex set of characters is inconvenient? iOS There are several ways to quickly share a password, from standard functions to workarounds for older versions of the system. The main thing is to choose the method that works best for your situation.
In this article we will look at 5 proven methods transferring the password with iPhone on a laptop (including Windows And MacBook), we will take into account the nuances of different versions iOS and network security types. We'll also explain why the system sometimes refuses to display the password—and how to fix it. No need to search for a piece of paper with the code or reset the router: follow the instructions below.
1. Standard method: “Share password” (iOS 11+)
The easiest method is to use the built-in function Share Wi-Fi passwordShe works for iPhone With iOS 11 and newer, but there are important conditions:
- 📱 Both devices (your iPhone and the guest's laptop) must be near (within Bluetooth range).
- 🔄 On iPhone must be enabled Bluetooth And Wi-Fi (even if you are not connected to the network).
- 👤 The guest's contact information must be in your address book (and vice versa).
- 🔒 The laptop must try to connect to the same Wi-Fi network that yours is connected to iPhone.
How it works in practice:
- Ask your guest to select your Wi-Fi network on their laptop and enter any password (even incorrect).
- On yours iPhone a pop-up window will appear with an offer Share Password. Click
Ready. - The password will be automatically transferred to the laptop and the connection will be established.
Bluetooth is enabled on the iPhone|Wi-Fi is enabled on the iPhone|The guest contact is in the phone book|The laptop is trying to connect to the correct network-->
⚠️ Attention: If the offer window does not appear, check if it is blocked Bluetooth in the privacy settings (Settings → Privacy → Bluetooth). Also, the function may not work if the router is using hidden network (SSID).
2. View the password in iPhone settings (without jailbreaking)
IN iOS 16+ Apple has finally added the ability to view saved Wi-Fi passwords directly in Settings. This works without any additional software, but only if you know them. your current Apple ID passcode.
Instructions:
- Open
Settings → Wi-Fi. - Find your network in the list and click on the icon «i» on the right.
- Tap on the field "Password" — the system will ask Face ID/Touch ID or the device passcode.
- After authentication, the password will be displayed in clear text. You can copy it or dictate it.
| iOS version | Function support | Additional terms and conditions |
|---|---|---|
| iOS 16+ | ✅ Yes | Device passcode required |
| iOS 15 and later | ❌ No | Workarounds are needed (see section 4) |
| iPadOS 16+ | ✅ Yes | Similar to iPhone |
⚠️ Attention: If the password field is inactive (gray), then the network is using enterprise security protocol (For example, 802.1X). In this case, the password cannot be viewed using standard tools; access to the router settings is required.
3. Using a MacBook as a go-between
If you have MacBook (or iMac), connected to the same Apple ID, that and iPhone, you can extract the password through Connected Keychain (keychain). This method works even on older versions. iOS, if the devices are synchronized.
Step-by-step instructions:
- On MacBook open the application "Bunch of keys" (you will find it through
Spotlightupon request "Keychain Access"). - In the left menu, select "System" → Passwords.
- In the search bar, enter the name of your Wi-Fi network.
- Double-click on the found entry and check the box. Show password and enter the password from Mac.
After this, the password can be copied and sent to the laptop via AirDrop, messenger, or simply dictate. The main advantage of this method is that it bypasses restrictions. iOS and works even on iPhone 6s With iOS 12.
What to do if the keychain is empty?
If your Wi-Fi network isn't listed in Keychain, syncing between your iPhone and Mac is disabled. To fix this:
1. On iPhone: Settings → [your name] → iCloud → Keychain (turn on).
2. On Mac: System Preferences → Apple ID → iCloud → Keychain (turn on).
3. Restart both devices and wait 5-10 minutes for synchronization.
4. Workarounds for older iOS versions (before 16)
On iPhone With iOS 15 and older don't have a built-in Wi-Fi password viewer, but there are several working workarounds. One of the most reliable is to use iTunes backup and programs for its analysis.
You will need:
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows or Mac and established iTunes (or Finder on Mac).
- 🔌 Cable Lightning/USB-C to connect iPhone.
- 🛠️ Free utility iExplorer or iMazing (trial version is enough).
Instructions:
- Connect iPhone to the computer and create backup copy through iTunes/Finder (Necessarily encrypted!).
- Open the backup in iExplorer (chapter
Backup Explorer). - Go to
System Files → HomeDomain → Library → Preferences → SystemConfiguration. - Find the file
com.apple.wifi.known-networks.plistand export it. - Open the file in any text editor and find the line
<key>SSID_STR</key>— the encrypted password will be next to it. To decrypt it, use online services like WiFi Password Decrypt.
⚠️ Attention: This method requires access to a computer and does not work with all types of Wi-Fi encryption. If your network uses WPA3, the password may not be decrypted.
iPhone 15/14/13 (iOS 17+)|iPhone 12/11/X (iOS 16)|iPhone 8/7/6s (iOS 15 or later)|I don't know the version-->
5. Alternative methods: QR code and router
If none of the previous methods work, try generate a QR code with network data or access the router settings. These methods are universal and work regardless of the version. iOS.
Method 1: QR code for connection
Many modern routers (for example, TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic) can generate a QR code with network data. It can be scanned with a laptop camera (if supported) or a dedicated app.
How to do it:
- Go to the router's web interface (usually at
192.168.1.1or192.168.0.1). - Find the section «Wi-Fi» or Wireless Network.
- Look for the option QR code for connection (at Keenetic This
Guest Network → QR Code). - Download the QR code on iPhone and show it to your laptop camera (or send the file).
Method 2: View the password in the router settings
If you have access to the router, you can find out the password directly:
- Connect iPhone to the router via Wi-Fi or cable.
- Open your browser and enter the router's IP address (found on the device's sticker).
- Enter login/password (by default it is often
admin/adminoradmin/empty). - Go to
Wireless → Security(or similar section) - there will be a field «Password» or «PSK».
Important: If you've never changed your router's password, it may still be the factory default (found on a sticker underneath the device). In this case, you can simply dictate it.
6. Common mistakes and how to fix them
Even with detailed instructions, users still encounter problems. Here Top 3 mistakes and their solutions:
| Problem | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| The "Share Password" window does not appear. | Bluetooth is turned off or the devices are not in contacts | Turn on Bluetooth, add the guest contact to your phone book, and restart your iPhone. |
| The password is not displayed in the iPhone settings. | The network uses enterprise authentication (802.1X) | Find out the password through the router or contact the network administrator. |
| The QR code cannot be scanned by the laptop. | The laptop camera does not support scanning QR codes or low resolution codes. | Use a scanner app on your smartphone or increase the contrast of the QR code |
⚠️ Attention: If you are trying to share a password from public network (for example, in a cafe or airport), standard methods may not work. Such networks often use port restrictions or web authentication, where the password is just the first step of connection.
Another common problem is - reset network settings on iPhoneIf you have recently reset your settings (Settings → General → Transfer or reset → Reset network settings), all saved Wi-Fi passwords will be deleted. In this case, you'll have to reconnect to the network or use the router to view the password.
FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions
Is it possible to share Wi-Fi password from iPhone to Android smartphone?
Yes, but only through workarounds: viewing the password in the settings iOS 16+, usage QR code or extraction via MacBookThe "Share Password" feature only works between devices. Apple (iPhone → MacBook/iPad).
Why doesn't my iPhone show the password for some networks?
This happens in three cases:
- The network uses hidden SSID (does not broadcast the name).
- Applies enterprise authentication (802.1X, RADIUS).
- The password was saved through configuration profile (for example, in corporate networks).
In these cases, the password can only be found through the router settings or from the network administrator.
How do I share Wi-Fi if I have a jailbroken iPhone?
On jailbroken devices you can use tweaks like WiFi Passwords (from the repository BigBoss), which display all saved passwords in a single list. However, this is not secure: such tweaks can leak data to third parties. We recommend using standard methods (sections 1–3).
Will Share Password work if I have dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5 GHz)?
Yes, but both networks must have the same passwordIf you have separate passwords for 2.4 GHz And 5 GHz, the function will only work for the network to which your device is connected. iPhone at the time of transfer.
Is it possible to find out the password for a Wi-Fi connection I've connected to before but am now out of range of?
IN iOS 16+ — Yes: the password will be displayed in the network settings even without an active connection. In older versions, you'll have to use iTunes backup (section 4) or wait until the network becomes available again.