After configuring all of the devices, you're likely to forget your home Wi-Fi password. That is until a friend or family member arrives and requests access to your network. What was the password, again? Is it the ridiculously long number on the back of your router?
Even if you don't have the Wi-Fi password saved anywhere or memorized it, there is a way to find all of your Wi-Fi passwords in one place. Simply check your computer.
The Wi-Fi password is permanently stored in your settings as long as your Windows or Mac computer has previously connected to the network. It may take some digging on your part, but all of the passwords are available.
On MacOS and Windows, here's how to find the passwords for all Wi-Fi networks you've ever connected to. Find out more about the 17 most important settings for customising your MacBook or how to get the most out of Windows 11.
How to Find Wi-Fi Passwords in MacOS
Every password you enter and save on a Mac is saved in Keychain Access, MacOS' password management system. This includes passwords for Wi-Fi networks.
To begin, open the Keychain Access app using the search feature and do the following:
1. Click on System under System Keychains in the sidebar.
2. Next, click on Passwords at the top of the window.
3. Find the Wi-Fi network you want the password for and double-click on it.
4. Finally, check the box next to Show password and enter your password when prompted.
The password field then displays your password to connect to that Wi-Fi network. If necessary, double-click in the password field to select the password and copy it to your clipboard.
How to Look for Wi-Fi Passwords in Windows
On Windows, finding the password to the Wi-Fi network you're currently connected to is simple, but getting your hands on all stored Wi-Fi passwords requires some effort, so we'll go over both methods below.
1. Click the Start button and then go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center (Windows 11) or Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network and Sharing Center (Windows 10).
2. Next to Connections, click your Wi-Fi network name highlighted in blue.
3. In the Wi-Fi Status page that opens, click Wireless Properties and then on the Security tab.
4. Finally, check the box next to Show characters to display your Wi-Fi network password above it.
This is not, however, the only way to find your Wi-Fi network passwords. The method described above only allows you to view the password for the Wi-Fi network to which you are currently connected, but there is a way to find the passwords for all Wi-Fi networks to which you have ever connected on your Windows computer.
To find all your Wi-Fi network passwords on Windows:
1. Right-click on the Windows icon in the taskbar on your desktop.
2. Click Windows Terminal (Admin).
3. Type in netsh wlan show profile and hit Enter on your keyboard to view every Wi-Fi network you've connected to.
4. Once you find the Wi-Fi network you want the password for, type in netsh wlan show profile "(Wi-Fi network name)" key=clear (for example, netsh wlan show profile "Netgear667" key=clear), and then hit the Enter key.
To find your Wi-Fi network passwords on Windows, go to Settings > Profile, Connectivity, Security, and Cost. The Wi-Fi network password will be displayed next to Key Content in the Security settings. In addition to Windows Terminal, you can use the Command Prompt application to enter the commands mentioned above to find your Wi-Fi passwords.