How to Find a Wi-Fi Password on a Mac: All Methods for macOS 2026

Forgot your home or office Wi-Fi password, but your MacBook or iMac Connected to the network? The situation is familiar to many: the router was set up by the ISP, the password was entered years ago, and now you need to connect a new gadget. Luckily, macOS stores all saved Wi-Fi passwords in secure storage Keychain Access, and they can be removed without resetting the router.

In this article - 5 proven methodsHow to find out your Wi-Fi password on a Mac: from standard tools to commands in Terminal and third-party utilities. The methods work on macOS Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey and earlier versions (provided you've connected to this network before). If you've never entered a password on this device, you'll have to find it on your router or ask your network administrator.

Important: All methods require administrator rights on a Mac. If this is a work computer with restricted access, contact your IT department—attempting to do so on your own could violate corporate security policies.

1. How to view your Wi-Fi password using Keychain Access

The most reliable and universal way is to use the built-in password storage Keychain Access. This is where macOS stores all login data, including wireless network passwords. These instructions are suitable for all OS versions, starting with OS X Lion.

Open the utility in one of the following ways:

• 🔍 Through Spotlight: click Command + Space, type "Keychain" and select the app.
• 📁 Through Finder: go to Programs → Utilities → Keychain.
• 🖱️ Through Launchpad: Find the Others folder and open it Keychain Access.

Next, follow these steps:

1. Select a category in the left column "System" (if the password is saved for all users) or "Entrance" (if only for your account).
2. In the top search box, enter the name of your Wi-Fi network (SSID).
3. Double-click on the found entry - the properties window will open.
4. Check the box Show password.
5. Enter your Mac account password (the one you use to log in).
6. The Wi-Fi password will be displayed in the field. Show password.

Make sure your Mac is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network|

Check that you have administrator rights|

Remember or write down your Mac account password|

Close all programs requesting access to your keychain-->

If the password is not displayed or the field is empty, then:

• 🔄 The network is saved, but without a password (for example, if you connected via WPS or guest access).
• 🚫 You don't have permission to view system passwords (applicable to corporate Macs).
• 🗑️ The network entry was removed from the keychain.

2. How to find a Wi-Fi password using Terminal (for advanced users)

If you prefer to work with the command line, you can extract the password via TerminalThis method is faster, but requires precise command entry. Syntax errors can lead to incorrect results.

Open Terminal (Programs → Utilities → Terminal) and run the following command:

security find-generic-password -wa "YOUR_NETWORK_NAME"

Replace YOUR NETWORK NAME on exact SSID your Wi-Fi (case-sensitive!). For example:

security find-generic-password -wa "TP-Link_5G_123"

After entering, the system will ask Mac account passwordEnter it, and the terminal will display the Wi-Fi password in the following format:

password: "your_wifi_password"

What to do if the command doesn't work?

If the terminal gives an error Could not find password item, check:

1. Precision of the network name (including spaces and case).

2. Are you currently connected to this network or have you connected before?

3. Your account rights (administrator rights are required).

4. The password may be stored in a different keychain (try specifying the flag -D "link_name", For example -D "System").

For viewing all saved Wi-Fi networks use the command:

security find-generic-password -l | grep "airport"

This will list all SSIDs for which passwords are saved on your Mac. Copy the exact network name and use it in the first command.

⚠️ Attention: Do not enter commands from untrusted sources. Terminal — this may compromise your system's security. All commands provided here are safe and only work with local data.

3. How to find your Wi-Fi password using macOS System Preferences

In newer versions of macOS (starting with Monterey 12.0) a simplified way to view the password directly in the network settings has appeared. This method does not require any work with Keychain Access or Terminal, but it only works for currently connected network.

Instructions:

1. Open System Preferences (gear icon in Dock or through Apple Menu → System Preferences).
2. Go to the section "Net".
3. In the left column, select the active connection Wi-Fi (should be marked with a green dot).
4. Click the button "Additionally…" in the lower right corner.
5. Open the tab «Wi-Fi».
6. Check the box Show password.
7. Enter your Mac account password.

The password will be displayed in the field. "Password"It can be copied or written down.

If the button Show password inactive, this means that:

• 🔒 You do not have administrator rights.
• 📡 Mac is not connected to the network (this method only works for an active connection).
• 🔄 The password is not saved in the system (for example, if the network is open).

4. Using third-party utilities to extract Wi-Fi passwords

If standard methods don't work, you can use specialized programsThey're convenient if you need to frequently view passwords or work with multiple networks. Popular utilities:

• 🔓 WiFi Password Revealer — a free app that displays all saved Wi-Fi passwords in a user-friendly interface. Download from Mac App Store.
• 🛠️ MacWiFiSpoof — an advanced network management tool that includes a password viewer. Suitable for advanced users.
• 📊 Keychain Editor — an alternative to the standard Keychain with advanced filtering features.

Example of working with WiFi Password Revealer:

1. Download and install the program.
2. Run it (you will need to enter the administrator password).
3. The main window will display a list of all saved networks with passwords.
4. Find the desired network and copy the password.

⚠️ Attention: Download programs only from official sources (Mac App Store (or developer websites). Utilities from untrusted sources may contain malicious code that steals all your passwords.

Advantages of third-party utilities:

• 📋 User-friendly interface with search and filters.
• 🔄 Ability to export passwords to a file.
• 🛡️ Additional features (for example, generating QR codes for quickly connecting other devices).

Flaws:

• 💰 Some programs are paid (for example, MacWiFiSpoof costs ~$10).
• 🔒 Risk of installing unsafe software when downloading from dubious sites.

5. How to find the Wi-Fi password on a Mac if you're not an administrator

If your Mac account doesn't have administrator rights, standard methods won't work—the system will block access to your passwords. However, there are a few workarounds:

Method 1: Ask the administrator

The easiest and safest option is to contact the person who set up your Mac. The administrator can:

• 🔑 Temporarily grant you administrator rights.
• 📋 Extract the password yourself and tell it to you.
• 🔄 Add your account to a group with access to the keychain.

Method 2: Use guest access (if allowed)

Some Wi-Fi networks have guest mode with a separate password. Check:

1. Open System Preferences → Network → Wi-Fi → Advanced.
2. Check if there are any networks marked in the list Guest or Guestbook.
3. Try connecting to it - sometimes the guest password is easier (for example, 12345678).

Method 3: Reset your router password

If you have physical access to the router, you can reset it to factory settings:

1. Press and hold the button Reset on the router (usually 10-15 seconds).
2. Connect to the network with the factory name (indicated on the router sticker).
3. Use the standard password (also on the sticker, for example, admin or 12345678).

⚠️ Attention: Resetting your router will erase all its settings, including the network name, password, ISP binding, and firewall rules. After resetting, you'll need to reconfigure it, which can be difficult for inexperienced users.

6. What to do if none of the methods worked

If you've tried all the methods and still can't extract the password, check the following:

If the problem is not resolved:

• 📡 Check if you've connected to this network before. If not, the password isn't saved on your Mac.
• 🔧 Contact your network administrator (for example, at an office or public place).
• 🔄 Restart your Mac and router—this can sometimes help restore access to saved data.
• 📞 Contact your provider – they can provide you with a password over the phone (you will need to confirm your personal information).

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Wi-Fi Passwords on Mac

Is it possible to find out the password for the Wi-Fi that another user connected to on this Mac?

Yes, but only if:

1. You have administrator rights.
2. Password saved in system keychain (and not in another user's connection).

Open Keychain Access, select a link "System" and find the network name. If there's no entry, the password is only available to the account owner who connected to the network.

How do I view my Wi-Fi password on a Mac if I forgot my account password?

Retrieve saved Wi-Fi passwords without a Mac account password impossibleYour options:

• Reset your account password via Recovery mode (hold Command + R when loading).
• Use another Mac or device that has connected to this network.
• Reset your router (if you have access to it).

Is it possible to find out the Wi-Fi password on a Mac without administrator rights?

No, all methods require administrator rights. However, you can:

• Ask the admin to retrieve the password for you.
• Try connecting to the network again - sometimes macOS prompts you to enter a password, which you can see as you type (if character display is enabled).
• Use another gadget that is already connected to this network (for example, iPhone or Android).

How to save a Wi-Fi password on a Mac so you don't forget it?

To avoid losing passwords:

1. Create note in "Notes" (the application is synchronized via iCloud).
2. Use password manager (For example, 1Password or Bitwarden).
3. Take a photo of the sticker on the router (where the default password is indicated) and save the photo in an encrypted archive.
4. Set up password sharing through Keychain Access for trusted users.

Do these methods work on Macs with M1/M2 chips?

Yes, all the methods described are fully compatible with Mac on Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3). The chip architecture does not affect the operation Keychain Access, Terminal or system settings. The only difference is that some third-party utilities may require updating to support new processors.