How to enter a Wi-Fi password on your phone: instructions for Android and iOS with pictures

Connecting to a wireless network is the first task after buying a new smartphone or performing a factory reset. It would seem that nothing could be simpler than entering the password. Wi-FiBut in practice, users encounter a host of nuances: from invisible characters in the password to authentication errors. This article will help you understand how to correctly enter your Wi-Fi password on your phone, where to find it if you've forgotten it, and what to do if your device stubbornly refuses to connect.

We will cover the process for both popular mobile platforms - Android (including the latest versions 14-15) and iOS (iPhone with iOS 17-18), and we'll also look at common errors. We'll pay particular attention to cases where the password contains special characters, spaces, or is written in unusual capitalization. For clarity, we'll provide screenshots of the interfaces and a table explaining connection errors.

If you've never set up Wi-Fi on your phone before or are having trouble connecting to a new network, this guide will be your go-to. And for experienced users, we've prepared Unique life hacks for saving passwords in the cloud and automatically connecting to hidden networks.

Where can I find my Wi-Fi password if I don't know it?

Before entering the password on your phone, you need to find it somewhere. If you haven't changed the default settings of your router, the password is usually located on a sticker on the device (usually under the text Wi-Fi Password, Network Key or Password). On new models of routers from TP-Link, ASUS or Keenetic It can be generated automatically and be a complex combination of 8-12 characters.

If there is no sticker or the password has been changed, there are several ways to find it out:

• 📋 View in router personal account (usually at the address 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 in the section Wireless → Security). The login and password for entry are often the same as for Wi-Fi, or standard admin/admin.
• 💻 Find out on another device already connected to this network. Windows this is done through Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Wireless Network → Properties → Security (checkbox "Show entered characters").
• 📱 On Android- on a phone that is already connected to the network, the password can be viewed through applications like WiFi Password Viewer (root rights required) or in the router settings via a browser.
• 🔄 Reset the router to factory settings using the button Reset (hold for 10-15 seconds), after which the password will become standard (indicated on the sticker).

⚠️ Warning: If you're renting a place or connected to a public network (at a cafe or hotel), your password may have been changed by the administrator. In such cases, please request the latest password from the network owner—resetting the router yourself may violate the terms of use.

If you have previously saved passwords in Google Account (on Android) or iCloud Keychain (on iPhone), they can be restored through the appropriate services. Android 10+ this is done in Settings → Google → Manage Google Account → Security → PasswordsOn . iPhone the path is this: Settings → Passwords (you will need to enter your device PIN code).

How to Enter a Wi-Fi Password on Android: Step-by-Step Instructions

The process of connecting to Wi-Fi on Android has remained virtually unchanged since version 8.0 Oreo, but in the latest updates (14-15) additional options have appeared, such as Easy Connect (QR code connection) and improved support WPA3Let's consider the classic method:

1. Open Settings (gear icon in the application menu or notification shade).

2. Go to the section Network and Internet (on some firmware versions - just Wi-Fi).

3. Activate the slider Wi-Fi (if it is turned off) and tap on the name of the desired network in the list.

4. In the window that appears, enter the password in the field PasswordPlease note:

   • 🔤 Case-sensitive: Password And password - different passwords.
   • 👁️ To see the characters you're entering, click on the eye icon to the right of the field.
   • 📱 On some phones (eg. Samsung Galaxy) the keyboard can automatically suggest saved passwords from Google Smart Lock.

Make sure Wi-Fi is enabled in settings.

Make sure your phone is not in Airplane mode.

Make sure the router is turned on and distributing the network

Try restarting your phone if the network is not displayed-->

On phones with a shell MIUI (For example, Xiaomi Redmi or POCO) the path may differ slightly: Settings → Wi-Fi → Select network → Enter passwordThere is also an option here Additionally, where you can manually specify the security type (WPA2-PSK, WPA3-SAE) and network frequency (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz).

⚠️ Attention: If an error appears after entering the password "Authentication...", but the connection does not occur, try forgetting the network (Wi-Fi Settings → Network Name → Forget) and re-enter the password. Sometimes switching the security type in the router settings helps. WPA2 on WPA/WPA2.

Connecting to Wi-Fi on iPhone: iOS Features

On iPhone The process of connecting to Wi-Fi is as simple as possible, but there are some nuances associated with iCloud Keychain and function Autofill passwordsHere's how to do it on iOS 17-18:

1. Open Settings (gray icon with gears).

2. Tap on the section Wi-Fi.

3. Make sure the slider is Wi-Fi active (green).

4. Select the desired network from the list. If it is hidden, click Another network... and enter the name (SSID) manually.

5. In the field Password Enter the security key. You can also display the symbols here by clicking the eye icon.

6. Click Connect in the upper right corner.

If the password is saved in iCloud Keychain, iPhone may suggest it automatically. In this case, you only need to confirm the connection via Face ID or entering a PIN code. There is also a function on the iPhone Share Wi-Fi password: if another Apple- gadget (for example, MacBook or iPad) is already connected to this network, you can bring it close to the iPhone, and the password will be transferred automatically.

📊 What phone do you use?
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iPhone
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On iPhone, you should also pay attention to the settings Private Wi-Fi address (enabled when connected to a network). This feature improves privacy, but can sometimes cause issues connecting to public networks (such as those at airports or hotels) that require browser authentication.

What to do if your phone won't connect to Wi-Fi after entering the password

If you're sure you've entered the password correctly, but your phone still won't connect, the problem may lie in your router settings or the phone itself. Here are the most common causes and troubleshooting steps:

Error	Possible cause	Solution
Authentication... (endlessly)	Incorrect router security type or password	Check the case of the characters in the password. In the router settings, set WPA2-PSK instead of WPA3 (if the phone is old).
IP address not received	DHCP failure on the router or MAC address limitation	Restart your router. Set a static IP address in your phone's network settings.
The network is saved, but there is no internet access.	Problems on the provider's side or incorrect DNS	Try changing your DNS to 8.8.8.8 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) in network settings.
The network is not displayed in the list.	Hidden SSID or incompatible frequency (eg. 6 GHz on an old phone)	Add the network manually. In the router settings, enable SSID broadcasting or switch to 2.4 GHz.

If none of the above worked, try the following:

• 🔄 Reboot your router (unplug it from the power outlet for 30 seconds).
• 📱 Restart your phone.
• 🔧 Reset network settings on your phone: Android — Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network, and Bluetooth settings; on iPhone — Settings → General → Transfer or reset → Reset network settings.
• 🛠️ Update your router firmware (via your personal account at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).

How to enter the password for a hidden Wi-Fi network

Hidden networks (with the SSID broadcast disabled) are often used in offices or for increased security. To connect to such a network on your phone, you need to know the exact name (SSID) and password. Here's how:

On Android:

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi.

2. Click Add a network (or Other networks on some firmware).

3. In the field Network name (SSID) Please enter the exact name (case sensitive!).

4. Select the security type (WPA2-PSK or WPA3-PSK).

5. Enter your password and click Save.

On iPhone:

1. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi.

2. Tap on Another network....

3. Enter the network name in the field Name.

4. Select Security (usually WPA2).

5. Enter your password and click Connect.

If you don't know the SSID of a hidden network, you can find it out:

• 🖥️ On the computer via Network and Sharing Center (Windows) or System Preferences → Network (Mac).
• 📡 In the router settings in the section Wireless → Basic Settings (field SSID or Network Name).
• 🔍 Using network scanning apps like WiFi Analyzer (Android) or NetSpot (iOS).

⚠️ Warning: Connecting to hidden networks may be less secure than it seems. Attackers often create fake hidden networks with popular names (e.g., TP-Link_5G) to intercept traffic. Always confirm the exact SSID with your network administrator.

How to save your Wi-Fi password so you don't have to re-enter it

Modern smartphones automatically save Wi-Fi passwords, but sometimes this doesn't work (for example, after a factory reset or when connecting to a new network). Here's how to make sure your password is saved:

On Android:

• 🔐 Passwords are saved in Google Account, if syncing is enabled. You can check this in Settings → Google → Manage Google Account → Security → Passwords.
• 📱 On some firmware (for example, Samsung One UI) passwords are stored locally. To export them, you will need root access or special applications like WiFi Password Recovery.
• 🔄 If you reset your phone, you can restore your passwords from a backup Google Drive (provided that a backup was made before the reset).

On iPhone:

• 🔑 Passwords are saved in iCloud KeychainTo ensure they sync across devices, make sure the feature is enabled in Settings → [Your name] → iCloud → Keychain.
• 📤 To share a password with someone else Apple-device, just bring it close to the iPhone and confirm the transfer through the pop-up window.
• 🔄 After resetting your iPhone, you can restore your passwords from a backup. iCloud or iTunes.

adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml

If you frequently visit or travel, it's helpful to save your passwords in the cloud. Android this is done automatically through Google Smart Lock, and on iPhone - through iCloud KeychainYou can also use third-party password managers like 1Password or Bitwarden, which support storing data about Wi-Fi networks.

Security: How to Create a Strong Wi-Fi Password

A weak Wi-Fi password not only puts your neighbors at risk of hogging your data, but also poses a security threat. Attackers can intercept your data, spread viruses across your local network, or use your IP address for illegal activities. Here are some guidelines for creating a strong password:

• 🔢 Length not less than 12 characters (optimally 16+).
• 📛 Use a mixture of letters (A-Z, a-z), numbers (0-9) and special characters (!@#$% and others).
• 🚫 Avoid obvious combinations: birth dates, names, dictionary words, sequences (12345678, qwerty).
• 🔄 Don't use the same password for Wi-Fi and other services (email, social networks).
• 📝 Write down your password in a safe place (for example, in a password manager) or save it in Google Account/iCloud.

Examples of strong passwords:

• Tr0ub4dour&3-Fox! (a phrase with letters replaced by numbers and symbols).
• W1F1-$3cur3-P@ss (abbreviation + special characters).
• 7H!s-1s-My-N3w-N3tw0rk (easy to remember, difficult to guess).

To generate a strong password, you can use built-in tools:

• On Windows 11: Start → Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Manage known networks → Add a new network → Generate password.
• On Mac: System Preferences → Network → Advanced → Wi-Fi → Password (click on the key next to the field).
• In the browser: Most password managers (e.g. Google Chrome) have a built-in generator.

It is also recommended to change your Wi-Fi password periodically (every 3-6 months). This can be done in the router settings section. Wireless → Security (field Password or Network Key). After changing the password, all devices will be disconnected and will have to be reconnected.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about connecting to Wi-Fi on your phone