It's quite common for owners to need to connect a new device or a guest to their home network, but the password is hopelessly forgotten. Apple often forget that their MacBook remembers this access key automatically. For decades, the macOS operating system has stored data about connected networks in a special secure storage facility, which is not as difficult to access as it might seem at first glance.
You don't have to reset your router to factory settings or use complex hacking tools. Simply use the system's built-in tools, such as Bunch of keys or TerminalThese methods are safe, legal, and work on all current versions of macOS, including Sonoma And Ventura.
In this article, we'll cover the steps for various operating system versions in detail. You'll learn how to find saved keys using the graphical interface and command line, and what to do if the data isn't saved in your computer's memory. Read carefully to choose the method that's right for your operating system. macOS.
Using Keychain Access on older versions of macOS
For users whose laptops run on system versions prior to macOS Ventura (inclusive), the easiest way is to use the standard Keychain utility. This is a system password manager that stores not only Wi-Fi keys, but also website passwords, notes, and credit card information. You can find this program using Spotlight search by pressing Command + Space and entering the name of the utility.
After opening the app, a list of all saved objects will appear. In the left panel, select the "Passwords" or "System" category to filter out unnecessary entries. Find the name of your wireless network (SSID) in the list. If the list is large, use the search in the upper right corner of the window to enter the router's name.
Double-click the found entry to open the Properties window. In the dialog box that opens, check the "Show password" box. The system will ask you to verify your identity: you'll need to enter the password for your MacBook administrator account or use Touch ID. Once successfully authenticated, the hidden characters will turn into readable text.
⚠️ Attention: If the "Show password" field is grayed out, it means your computer isn't currently connected to this network or you're not a device administrator. Make sure you're logged in with the correct account.
Finding a password in macOS Ventura, Sonoma, and later
With the exit macOS Ventura company Apple completely redesigned the system settings interface, making it more similar to iPadOSThe Keychain Access utility has been integrated directly into the System Preferences menu, making viewing saved passwords more intuitive for regular users.
To get started, open the Apple menu in the upper left corner of the screen and select "System Preferences." In the sidebar, find the "Wi-Fi" section and click on it. Next, scroll down to the "Known Networks" or "Advanced" section (depending on the specific minor version). This displays a list of all the networks your device has ever connected to. MacBook.
Find the desired network in the list and click the information icon (three dots or the letter "i" in a circle) next to its name. In the menu that opens, select "Copy password" or "Show password." The system will request biometric authentication via Touch ID or enter the user password. After confirmation, the key will be copied to the clipboard or displayed on the screen.
- 🔑 Click on the eye icon to instantly see the key symbols.
- 📋 Use the "Copy" function to paste the password into a messenger for a friend.
- 📱 On new devices, the password can automatically sync with the iPhone via iCloud.
Restoring access via Terminal
For advanced users or in situations where the graphical interface does not work correctly, using the command line is the ideal solution. Terminal In macOS, it provides direct access to system security services. This method is universal and works on almost all versions of the operating system, including the latest updates.
Open the Terminal app via Spotlight or find it in the Applications → Utilities folder. To get the password, use the command security, which accesses the system key database. You will need to know the exact network name (SSID). Enter the following command in the input line:
security find-generic-password -wa "YourNetworkName"Replace the text Your_network_name with the actual name of your Wi-Fi network, making sure to leave the quotation marks. If the network name contains spaces, the quotation marks are required. After pressing the key Enter The system will ask for permission to access the key. In the window that appears, click "Always allow" or enter the administrator password. If the information is correct, the terminal will display the password in cleartext.
What to do if the command doesn't work?
If the system returns an error, check the spelling of the network name. It must be spelled exactly the same, including case. Also, make sure the network is actually saved in your Mac's memory.
Using an iPhone or iPad to view the key
If you use the ecosystem Apple, your iPhone or iPad can act as a secure password vault thanks to iCloud Keychain. This technology syncs saved passwords across all devices connected to the same device. Apple IDThis means that even if the password is not displayed on the MacBook, it may be available on the smartphone.
Take your iPhone and go to "Settings." Find the "Passwords" section (requires Face ID or Touch ID to log in). In the list of websites and apps, find the name of your Wi-Fi network. Tap it, and you'll see the "Password" field. Tapping the hidden dots will reveal the full passcode.
This method is especially useful if your MacBook is far away or you can't sign in to your account right now. The main requirement is that iCloud key syncing must be enabled on both devices. You can check this in the iCloud settings on both devices.
- 📲 Open Settings on your iPhone and go to the Passwords section.
- 🔍 Use search to quickly find your network's SSID.
- 👁 Click on the hidden field to reveal the access code.
View the password through the router's web interface
If none of the software methods on the MacBook itself work, the only remaining option is to access the router's settings. This method always works as long as the device is connected to the network (even if you don't know the password; the connection may be established automatically via an Ethernet cable or if the device is already authorized). You'll need a browser and the default gateway address.
Open any browser on your MacBook and enter the router's IP address in the address bar. Most often, this is 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.31.1The exact address is often written on a sticker on the bottom of the device. To log in, you'll need the router's administrator login and password (not to be confused with the Wi-Fi password). By default, this is often admin/admin, if you haven't changed them before.
After successful authorization, find the section responsible for your wireless network. It may be called "Wireless," "Wi-Fi," "Wireless Mode," or "WLAN." Within this section, look for the "Security" or "WLAN Settings" subsection. There will be a "Password," "PSK," or "Key" field containing the current access key. You can copy it or change it to a new one.
| Router brand | Standard IP | Login / Password | Menu section |
|---|---|---|---|
| TP-Link | 192.168.0.1 | admin / admin | Wireless -> Wireless Security |
| ASUS | 192.168.1.1 | admin / admin | Additional settings -> Wireless network |
| Keenetic | 192.168.1.1 | admin / (no password) | My Networks and Wi-Fi -> Home Network |
| D-Link | 192.168.0.1 | admin / admin | Wi-Fi -> Security Settings |
⚠️ Attention: Router interfaces are frequently updated by manufacturers. Menu locations and item names may differ from those shown in the table. Look for keywords like "Security," "Wireless," or "WLAN."
☑️ Checking access to the router
What to do if your password is nowhere to be found
Sometimes the password isn't saved on any device, and access to the router settings is blocked (the login and password were previously changed and forgotten). In this situation, the only solution is a full factory reset. This is a drastic measure that will restore the device to its factory settings, including the default Wi-Fi password found on the sticker.
On the router body, find a small hole with the inscription Reset or RestoreTake a paperclip or toothpick, press the button inside the hole, and hold it for about 10-15 seconds until the front panel lights flash simultaneously. After rebooting, the network will be accessible with the factory password, but all your personal settings (network name, PPPoE connection type) will be deleted.
After resetting, you'll need to reconfigure the router via the web interface using your ISP credentials. Be prepared for the internet to temporarily be lost on all connected devices. Write down the new password immediately after setup to avoid a repeat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to find out the password for someone else's Wi-Fi network if I was once connected to it?
Yes, if you have connected to the network before and your MacBook has saved this profile, you can view the password using the methods described above (via Keychain or Terminal), provided you have administrator rights on the current device.
Where is the Wi-Fi password file physically located on a Mac?
The key database is stored at the path /Library/Keychains/login.keychain-db (or login.keychain (in older versions). However, this is a binary file and cannot be read directly with a text editor—system utilities must be used to extract the data.
Why doesn't my MacBook show my password even though I'm an administrator?
Most often, the problem lies in a desynchronization of access rights or a corrupted keychain file. Try restarting the computer. If that doesn't help, check whether passwords are disabled in corporate restrictions profiles (if the device is working).
Is it safe to store passwords in Keychain?
Yes, Bunch of keys Uses AES-256 encryption and is securely protected. Data is only accessible after biometric authentication or entering a master password, making this one of the most secure storage methods.
Will updating macOS reset my Wi-Fi password?
No, all network settings and saved passwords are preserved during a scheduled operating system update. A reset can only occur during a complete system reinstallation with disk formatting or, in rare cases, by resetting the NVRAM/PRAM.