In today's digital world, wireless network access is a basic necessity, and it's common to need to connect a new device but have long forgotten or lost the password. Apple smartphone owners often wonder how to find the Wi-Fi password on an iPhone without physical access to the router or the ability to reset it to factory settings.
Fortunately, the operating system iOS Starting with version 16, it offers built-in functionality for securely viewing saved access keys. Previously, this procedure required jailbreaking or the use of third-party utilities, which posed security risks, but now the process is standard and available to every user.
In this guide, we'll cover all available password extraction methods in detail, including using iCloud cloud storage, as well as alternative methods for those who prefer to work with the command line or have access to the router's administrative panel.
Directly view your password in Settings in iOS 16 and later
The easiest and most reliable way is to use the built-in password manager, which appeared in the operating system update to version 16. If your smartphone is running an older version of the software, you will first need to update it through the menu. Settings → General → Software UpdateAfter successfully installing the new version, the procedure becomes extremely clear.
Open the Settings app on your device and go to the Settings section. Wi-FiHere you'll see a list of networks your device has connected to. Find the network with the same name as yours and tap the blue information icon (marked with an "i" in a circle) located to the right of the access point's name.
On the connection details screen that opens, you'll see a "Password" field, which is hidden by default behind asterisks or dots. To reveal the hidden information, tap this field with your finger. The security system will immediately request biometric authorization via Face ID or Touch ID, or you will be asked to enter a digital screen unlock code.
Once your identity is successfully verified, the asterisks will disappear, and you'll see the password in plain text. At this point, a context menu will appear on the screen with the "Copy" and "Share" options. You can copy the access key to the clipboard to paste it on another device, or send it directly via AirDrop or messenger.
⚠️ Note: This feature only works for networks your iPhone has previously connected to and saved the password to. If you've never connected to this hotspot from this device, you won't be able to view the password through settings.
Use iCloud Keychain to access from other devices
Apple's ecosystem is designed so that all saved passwords are synced across devices linked to the same Apple ID. This means you can find out your iPhone's Wi-Fi password even if you don't remember it, but you've previously connected to the network from another device, such as iPad or MacBook.
To do this, you need to make sure that the iCloud Keychain feature is enabled on all devices. On an iPhone, this can be checked in the menu Settings → [Your name] → iCloud → KeychainIf the switch is active, all passwords saved on any of your devices will be available on all others.
If you have a Mac computer handy, you can find the password you need even faster. Open the Keychain Access app using Spotlight search or from the Utilities folder. Select the "Passwords" category in the list on the left and enter the name of your Wi-Fi network in the search bar.
Double-click the found entry, check the "Show password" box, and enter your macOS account password. The system will display the text you're looking for. This method is especially useful if your phone's screen is broken or the touchscreen isn't responding well and you need to copy a long character combination.
Testing via the command line on a Mac (for advanced users)
For users who prefer to work with the terminal or don't have a graphical interface at hand, there's an option to extract passwords via the command line. This method requires a Mac and the network name (SSID) for which you want to recover the password.
Open the Terminal application and enter the following command, replacing Network_Name to the exact name of your Wi-Fi:
security find-generic-password -wa"Network_Name"After pressing Enter, the system will ask for permission to access the security key. You will need to grant access using Touch ID or an administrator password. If everything is done correctly, the password will be displayed in clear text on the next line in the terminal.
This method is useful in situations where the graphical interface isn't working correctly or when you need to quickly access data in script mode. However, for the average user, the standard path through iOS settings remains the most convenient and secure.
Accessing the router's admin panel via Safari
If the above methods don't work (for example, you're using an older version of iOS or your phone is new and has never connected to this network), the classic solution is to access the router's settings. To do this, your iPhone must be connected to the Wi-Fi network whose password you want to find out, or to the router's LAN port via an adapter.
Open your browser Safari and enter your router's IP address in the address bar. Most often, this is 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1, however, the exact address can be found on the sticker on the bottom of the device or in its documentation. After entering the address, an authorization window will appear.
Enter your administrator login and password. If you haven't changed them, they'll also be listed on the sticker (often admin/admin). Once in the interface, find the section called Wireless, Wi-Fi or Wireless networkThe current password (Pre-Shared Key) will be displayed in the "Security" or "Security Settings" subsections.
What should I do if my router password has been changed and is unknown?
If the default admin/admin passwords don't work and you don't remember the changed password, you'll have to reset the router to factory settings. To do this, locate the Reset button (often recessed into the router's housing) and press it with a paperclip for 10-15 seconds. After the reset, the router will return to the factory settings indicated on the sticker, but you'll have to reconfigure your internet settings.
| Router brand | Standard IP | Default login | Default password |
|---|---|---|---|
| TP-Link | 192.168.0.1 | admin | admin |
| ASUS | 192.168.1.1 | admin | admin |
| Keenetic | 192.168.1.1 | admin | 1234 |
| Xiaomi | 192.168.31.1 | - | admin |
Using Shortcuts and Third-Party Applications
The App Store offers numerous apps promising to reveal Wi-Fi passwords, but they should be approached with extreme caution. Most are simply wrappers for standard iOS features or contain aggressive advertising. Furthermore, Apple strictly limits app access to system security data.
However, there are proven password managers such as 1Password, LastPass or Dashlane, which can store your data if you've previously used them. If you use such services, simply open the app, find your Wi-Fi network entry, and the password will be available after biometric authentication.
You can also use the built-in Shortcuts app. There are custom scripts that allow you to quickly copy the current network password to the clipboard. To do this, find and install a trusted shortcut from your gallery that will request access to Wi-Fi keys and display the result.
☑️ Check before resetting settings
⚠️ Note: Router interfaces may vary significantly between manufacturers. The location of the "Security" or "Wireless" menu varies. Always consult the official manual for your router model, as firmware updates may change the menu structure.
Security issues and protecting stored networks
Understanding how easy it is to find out your iPhone's password highlights the importance of your device's physical security. Anyone who gains unlocked access to your phone will be able to easily obtain passwords for all networks you've connected to. This is why using a strong passcode and biometrics is critical.
We recommend regularly checking the list of saved networks in your Wi-Fi settings. If you see networks you haven't used or that belong to public places (cafes, airports), it's best to delete them ("Forget this network") to minimize the risk of automatically connecting to rogue hotspots with similar names.
Also, if you've changed your home Wi-Fi password, be sure to update it on all your devices. Otherwise, when a guest tries to connect via the "Share Password" feature on your iPhone, they'll receive an old, broken key, causing confusion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to find out the Wi-Fi password on an iPhone if I've never connected to it?
No, this can't be done using standard iOS tools. A phone can't hack a network remotely. You'll need access to the router or the password for another device already connected to the network.
Why doesn't the password field become active when clicked?
Most likely, your iOS version is earlier than 16. Older versions don't allow you to view passwords in plain text through Settings. Also, make sure you're tapping the hidden field with the asterisks, not the network name.
Is it safe to use apps from the App Store to view passwords?
Most of these apps are useless due to iOS security restrictions (sandboxing). They don't have access to system Wi-Fi keys. Use only built-in Apple tools or trusted cross-platform password managers.
What should I do if Face ID doesn't recognize my face when prompted for a passcode?
Try entering your screen unlock passcode manually. If the issue persists, check your Face ID settings in Settings -> Face ID & Passcode, ensuring that access to iCloud Keychain or Passwords is not restricted.