Forgot your home Wi-Fi password and need it to connect a new device? iPhone There is no built-in function for displaying saved passwords - unlike Android or Windows, where it can be done in two clicks. But to bypass the restrictions iOS you can: from viewing through Router settings before using hidden features Mac or iCloud Keychain.
In this article - 5 working methods get Wi-Fi password from iPhone, including methods without jailbreaking or a computer. We'll cover the nuances for different versions. iOS (15 to 17+), we'll explain why some options stopped working after updates and warn you about common mistakes. If you're looking for a solution for a specific model (iPhone 13, 14 Pro, SE 2022), please refer to the compatibility table at the end of the section.
⚠️ Important: All methods require that iPhone has already been connected to the target Wi-Fi network. If the device has never connected to this access point, use alternative methods - for example, look at the password on Android-smartphone or laptop.
1. Viewing the password through the router settings (universal method)
The most reliable way is to go to the router's web interface and look at the password in the settings. wireless networkThis will work regardless of the model. iPhone and versions iOS, but will require access to the router.
Instructions:
- 📶 Connect iPhone to the Wi-Fi network whose password you need to find out.
- 🔍 Find out Router IP address: go to
Settings → Wi-Fi, tap on the network name (blue iconi) and find the lineRouter(For example,192.168.0.1or192.168.1.1). - 🌐 Enter this address in your browser Safari (or Chrome). The router settings login page will open.
- 🔑 Enter your login and password for access (usually this is
admin/admin, but it may differ - look at the router sticker). - 🔄 Find the section in the menu
Wireless(orWi-Fi,Wireless network) →Security(Security). The password will be in the fieldPassword,KeyorPSK.
⚠️ Attention: If you haven't changed your router's default login details, they may have been reset by your ISP (for example, Rostelecom or MTS). In this case, you will have to reset the router settings using the button Reset (hold for 10 seconds) - but then the Wi-Fi password will also be reset!
Check if your iPhone is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network|Make sure you are entering the IP address correctly (e.g. 192.168.1.1, not 192.168.l.1)|Try a different browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox)|Reset your browser cache or open the page in incognito mode-->
2. Using iCloud Keychain (Mac users only)
If you have Mac (or MacBook), connected to the same Apple ID, that and iPhone, you can view the Wi-Fi password through iCloud KeychainThis method works because iPhone synchronizes network data with Mac through iCloud Keychain.
Step-by-step instructions:
- Open on Mac application
Bunch of keys(find throughSpotlightupon requestKeychain 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 passwordand enter your account password Mac.
🔹 Limitations of the method:
- 🖥️ Required Mac with the same account Apple ID, that and on iPhone.
- ☁️ Function
iCloud Keychainmust be enabled on both devices (Settings → [Your name] → iCloud → Passwords & Keys). - 🔄 If Mac I've never connected to this Wi-Fi network before, so there won't be a password.
3. Viewing the password via the configuration file (for advanced users)
IN iOS Wi-Fi passwords are stored encrypted in system files and can be accessed through iTunes backup or special utilities - but this requires computer (Windows or Mac) and basic file handling skills.
📌 Method 1: Using iTunes Backup (Without Jailbreaking)
- Connect iPhone to your computer and create a backup copy in iTunes (or Finder on Mac With macOS Catalina and newer).
- Download the utility iBackup Viewer (For Windows/Mac) or iMazing.
- Open the backup copy in the program and find the file
com.apple.wifi.known-networks.plist(or similar). - It will contain network names and encrypted passwords. To decrypt it, you'll need the key from the file.
System Keychain(it can be extracted using the same utilities).
📌 Method 2: Jailbreak (for advanced users)
If on iPhone I'm jailbroken, so I can view passwords using a tweak. WiFi Passwords from the repository Cydia or SileoAfter installing the tweak, passwords for all saved networks will be available in Settings → Wi-Fi Passwords.
⚠️ Attention: Jailbreaking violates warranty terms Apple and may lead to unstable operation of the device. In addition, after the update iOS Jailbreak often fails, and passwords may become inaccessible.
4. Using Shortcuts (workaround for iOS 16-17)
IN iOS 16 and newer it became possible to create automation (Shortcuts), which can extract some system data. Although there is no direct access to Wi-Fi passwords, a workaround can be used via terminal command (will be required Mac).
Instructions:
- On Mac open
Terminaland enter the command:security find-generic-password -wa "Your_Network_Name"(replace
Your_network_nameto the real Wi-Fi name). - Enter your account password Mac, when the system asks for confirmation.
- The Wi-Fi password will be displayed in the terminal.
🔹 Alternative for iOS 17: Some users report that it is possible to create Shortcut with action Get Network Details, but this method is unstable and depends on the firmware version. Read more about it in FAQ.
Why does Apple hide Wi-Fi passwords on iPhone?
Apple believes that open access to passwords increases the risk of data leakage. Unlike Android, where passwords are stored in clear text, iOS encrypts them at the system level. This makes life more difficult for users, but improves security—especially if a device is lost or stolen.
5. Alternative methods (if nothing helps)
If the above methods don't work, try these options:
- 📱 View password on another device: If connected to the network Android-smartphone, Windows- a laptop or even Smart TV, the password can be extracted from there. For example, on Windows go to
Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Manage known networks. - 📞 Contact your provider: If Wi-Fi is configured by your provider (for example, Beeline, MGTS), call support - they can tell you the standard password (usually it is indicated on the router sticker or in the contract).
- 🔧 Reset the router: The last resort is to reset the router settings using the button
Reset(hold for 10-15 seconds). After this, the network will be named by default (for example,TP-Link_1234), and the password is standard (indicated on the sticker).
📊 Compatibility table of methods with iOS versions:
| Method | iOS 15 | iOS 16 | iOS 17 | Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Router settings | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Access to the router |
| iCloud Keychain + Mac | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Mac with the same Apple ID |
| iTunes backup | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Partially | Computer, iBackup Viewer program |
| Jailbreak | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (difficult) | Installed jailbreak |
| Shortcuts / Terminal | ❌ No | ⚠️ Partially | ✅ Yes | Mac, knowledge of commands |
⚠️ Attention: Starting from iOS 17.4, Apple tightened security policies, and some workarounds (for example, extracting passwords through Shortcuts) may stop working. If you've recently updated your firmware, check the forums (e.g., MacRumors or Reddit).
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about viewing Wi-Fi passwords on iPhone
❓ Is it possible to see the Wi-Fi password on an iPhone without a computer?
Yes, but only if you have access to router settings (via browser) or Mac with the same Apple ID (through iCloud Keychain). Without additional devices or jailbreak, other methods are not possible.
❓ Why doesn't iOS have a password reveal feature like Android?
Apple adheres to the policy maximum data protectionUnlike Android, where passwords are stored in clear text, iOS Encrypts them at the system level. This makes life more difficult for users, but reduces the risk of theft or loss of the device.
❓ Does this method work with Shortcuts on iOS 17?
Partially. In iOS 17 action appeared Get Network Details, but it doesn't always show the password—only the network name and other parameters. Some users report that after creating Shortcut with this command and run it on Mac The password is displayed in the terminal. However, this method is unstable and depends on the firmware version.
❓ Is it possible to find out the password for a Wi-Fi network my iPhone has connected to before but is not currently connected to?
No, if iPhone If your device is not currently connected to the network, it's impossible to retrieve the password (except in cases of jailbreaking or a backup where the data is stored encrypted). Try connecting to the network again or use a different device that remembers the password.
❓ What should I do if my router displays an error when logging in?
Most likely, the login/password for accessing the router settings has been changed. Try:
- Enter standard data (usually
admin/adminoradmin/password). - Look at the login/password on the router sticker (bottom or back).
- Reset the router using the button
Reset(hold for 10-15 seconds) - but this will reset all settings, including the Wi-Fi password!