How to Transfer Wi-Fi from One iPhone to Another Without a Password: All the Working Methods

Sharing Wi-Fi access between devices Apple without entering a password - a task that seems impossible due to strict security rules iOSHowever, there are legal and semi-official methods of exchanging network data between iPhone, which don't require manual login/password entry. In this article, we'll look at all current methods — from standard functions Apple to workarounds taking into account the latest updates iOS 17/18.

Many users face a situation where they urgently need to connect a second one iPhone to the same network, but the password is unknown or too complex to enter manually. For example, when you're visiting someone, at a cafe, or using corporate Wi-Fi with a long key. Apple intentionally limits the automatic transmission of network data—this is part of a policy to protect against unauthorized access. However, there are nuances that allow these restrictions to be circumvented. without jailbreak and without violating the license agreement.

It is important to understand that no method gives complete bypass of authentication on the network. All solutions come down to either temporarily distributing the Internet through Modem mode, or to synchronize credentials through iCloud or AirDropIf the router uses WPA3-Enterprise or two-factor authentication (for example, via SMS), none of the described methods will work - you will need to enter the data manually.

1. Standard method: "Share Wi-Fi password" (iOS 11+)

The easiest and most legal method is to use the built-in function Share Wi-Fi password, which works for everyone iPhone With iOS 11 and newer. This method doesn't require manual password entry, but it has some strict limitations:

• 🔹 Both devices must be linked to one Apple ID (or be in one Family Sharing).
• 🔹 On both iPhone must be enabled Bluetooth And Wi-Fi.
• 🔹 The device that is already connected to the network must be unlocked (not in sleep mode).
• 🔹 The distance between the phones is no more than 10 meters.

How does this work:

1. Bring the second one iPhone (the one you want to connect) to the already connected device.
2. On the second phone, select the desired Wi-Fi network in the settings.
3. On the first iPhone a pop-up window will appear with an offer Share Password - click Ready.
4. Connection will occur automatically without entering any data.

⚠️ Attention: If the window asking you to share your password does not appear, check:

• Settings Privacy → Location (must be enabled for Settings).
• No VPN or traffic filters (eg. 1.1.1.1 from Cloudflare).
• Update iOS to the latest version (in older versions the function worked unstable).

2. Internet sharing via modem mode (Hotspot)

If sharing the password doesn't work, you can temporarily make the first one iPhone access point, and the second one is connected to it. This method does not require knowledge of the password for the main network, but has speed and pricing limitations (operators may charge an additional fee for distributing the Internet).

How to enable Personal Hotspot:

1. Open Settings → Tethering.
2. Activate the switch Allow others.
3. Remember or change the connection password (by default it is indicated under the QR code).
4. On the second iPhone connect to the network with the name of the first device (format: iPhone [your name]).

⚠️ Attention: Some operators (eg. MTS, Beeline) block Internet distribution on certain tariffs or limit the speed to 64 kbps After exceeding the limit. Before using, check the terms of your plan in your personal account.

Turn on mobile data on your primary iPhone|

Check your remaining traffic in your operator account|

Make sure VPN is disabled on the second iPhone|

Remember the password for the Personal Hotspot (or take a photo of the QR code) -->

Important: If the primary iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi rather than a mobile network, tethering will work over that Wi-Fi (using the "Wi-Fi Personal Hotspot" feature in iOS 13+). This allows you to bypass carrier restrictions, but speeds will depend on the source network.

3. Transfer Wi-Fi settings via AirDrop

A lesser known but working method is to export the Wi-Fi network configuration file from one iPhone to another through AirDropThis method requires jailbreak on one of the devices or using third-party utilities (for example, iMazing), but allows you to transfer all network settings, including the password, in encrypted form.

Step-by-step instructions (for jailbroken users):

1. Install the tweak WiFi Passwords from the repository BigBoss (through Cydia or Sileo).
2. Export the list of networks to a file .mobileconfig.
3. Send file via AirDrop on the second iPhone.
4. On the second device, open the file and confirm the profile installation.

⚠️ Attention: Installing profiles from untrusted sources can compromise your device's security. Use this method only for transferring data between your devices.

What is mobileconfig?

Files with the .mobileconfig extension are configuration profiles for Apple devices. They can contain Wi-Fi, VPN, restrictions, and other system settings. Installation of such a profile requires user confirmation and can be disabled in Settings (Settings → General → VPN & Device Management).

4. Using a QR code to connect to Wi-Fi

If you have access to router, you can generate a QR code with network data and scan it with a second iPhoneThis method does not require manual password entry, but it does require physical access to the router or its web interface.

How to create a QR code for Wi-Fi:

1. Connect to the router via a browser (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
2. Find the section Wi-Fi → Security Settings.
3. Copy SSID (network name) and password.
4. Generate a QR code on a website like qi-fi.com or via the app QR Code Generator.
5. Scan the code second iPhone via camera or app Scanner.

✅ Advantages of the method:

• 🔹 Works on any device, including Android.
• 🔹 Does not require binding to Apple ID.
• 🔹 The QR code can be saved and used later.

❌ Cons:

• 🔸 Router administrator rights are required.
• 🔸 Not all routers support QR code generation in the web interface.

networksetup -getairportnetwork en0 | awk -F': ' '/Current Wi-Fi Network/{print $2}' | xargs -I {} qrencode -o wifi.qr "WIFI:S:{};T:WPA;P:$(security find-generic-password -wa "{}");;"

(replace en0 to your network interface).-->

5. Synchronization via iCloud Keychain

iCloud Keychain - is a password storage system from Apple, which can automatically sync Wi-Fi data between devices linked to the same Apple IDHowever, this method works. only if the second iPhone has already connected to this network at least once.

How to enable synchronization:

1. On both iPhone go to Settings → [your name] → iCloud → Passwords & Keychain.
2. Activate the switch «iCloud Keychain».
3. Make sure both devices are connected to the internet (via mobile network or another Wi-Fi).
4. Reboot both iPhone.

After synchronization the second iPhone It should automatically connect to the network that the first phone was previously connected to. If this doesn't happen, check:

• 🔹 Date and time settings (should be automatic).
• 🔹 No restrictions in Screen Time → Content Restrictions.

⚠️ Attention: If the network uses WPA3-Enterprise or additional authentication (for example, login/password on the portal), iCloud Keychain will not be able to sync such data.In this case, you will have to enter the data manually.

6. Alternative methods (with limitations)

If none of the above methods work, you can try workarounds. They are less reliable, but sometimes help in emergency situations.

Method 1: Using password sharing apps

There are applications in App Store, which allow you to transfer Wi-Fi passwords between devices via Bluetooth or Ultrasonic (ultrasound). Examples:

• 🔹 WiFi Password Share (requires installation on both devices).
• 🔹 Instabridge (works through the cloud, but stores passwords on its servers).

❌ Risks: These apps may collect data about your networks. Use them only for transferring data between your devices.

Method 2: Temporary USB connection (iOS 17+ only)

IN iOS 17 it became possible to transmit the Internet connection via USB-C/Lightning cable (function USB Internet Sharing). To do this:

1. Connect both iPhone cable.
2. On the first device, activate Settings → Tethering & Hotspot → Allow USB connection.
3. On the second iPhone The Internet should appear automatically.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to connect iPhone to Wi-Fi without a password if I don't know it?

No, unless you have access to a router or other device that's already connected to the network. All methods in this article assume that at least one iPhone already logged in to the network. If the password is unknown at all, you can try to recover it through the router's web interface (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1, the default login/password is indicated on the router sticker).

Why doesn't the "Share Wi-Fi Password" window appear?

There are several reasons:

• 🔹 Devices are not tied to one Apple ID or are not included in Family Sharing.
• 🔹 Bluetooth or Wi-Fi disabled on one of the phones.
• 🔹 On the first iPhone included Airplane mode or Focus mode.
• 🔹 Outdated version iOS (update to the latest version).

Will Internet sharing via Modem Mode work if I have an unlimited data plan?

Depends on the operator. Some tariffs (for example, "Unlimited" from Tele2) allow distribution without restrictions, while others (for example, “Everything!” from MTS) may block it or limit the speed. The exact terms are specified in the plan description in your personal account.

Is it possible to transfer Wi-Fi from iPhone to Android without a password?

Yes, but only through Modem mode or QR codeThe "Share Wi-Fi Password" feature only works between devices. Apple. For Android You can generate a QR code on iPhone (via app) Scanner or website qi-fi.com) and scan it on your phone with Android.

What should I do if my operator blocks the modem mode?

There are several workarounds:

• 🔹 Call your operator back and ask to activate the "Modem" option (sometimes it is a paid option, but you can connect it for a day).
• 🔹 Use VPN on the main iPhone (Some operators do not block distribution via VPN connection).
• 🔹 Connect first iPhone to Wi-Fi and turn it on Wi-Fi tethering (V iOS 13+).

If none of the described methods suits your situation, check your router settings - the function may be enabled there MAC filtering or Isolation of clients, which block new devices from connecting. In this case, you'll need to manually add MAC address second iPhone to the list of allowed devices.