How to find and share Wi-Fi passwords

Did you know that you can make Wi-Fi password sharing a lot more secure? Whenever I had guests over or shared my personal hotspot when I was out with my friends, I’d just show them the password or say it out loud. That was until I found out you can store your Wi-Fi password in a password manager.

A password manager allows you to share it in an encrypted form. Besides, you can tweak the settings and pick who you want to share it with and for how long.

While revealing a public Wi-Fi password may not be a big deal, sharing private network details is a lot riskier. If you want to learn how to find a Wi-Fi password on your device and share it in a secure way, keep reading this article.

How to view the Wi-Fi password easily

1. Subscribe to a password manager. I recommend NordPass, now 61% OFF
2. Create an account and log in
3. Create an item with a Wi-Fi name and password
4. Share the credentials with selected people

Is a Wi-Fi password viewer app a good option?

Usually, you don't need a third-party Wi-Fi password viewer app to find a saved network password. Newer versions of Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and others have built-in ways to view Wi-Fi credentials. So, installing an app just for that is not only unnecessary, but can be unsafe as well if you download the wrong app.

Speaking of third-party apps, some claim they can reveal saved network passwords, but their functionality can be limited by the permissions and security restrictions of your device. Others may ask for unnecessary permissions, like accessing your contacts, or require you to modify your device's security settings to access protected information.

Instead of relying on Wi-Fi password viewing apps, it’s safer to use your own device’s built-in Wi-Fi settings. And, if you need to share your Wi-Fi or personal hotspot passwords frequently, a password manager is something you should think about. It keeps your credentials in an encrypted vault and lets you share them with selected people. And if needed, you can revoke the privileges.

How to share Wi-Fi passwords with a password manager

Different password managers have unique credential-sharing policies. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to share Wi-Fi passwords using my recommended NordPass app or website.

• Log in to your NordPass account (app or website)
• Click Add Item and select to add a new password
• Input the WiFi name and password and save it
• Select the same item and click Share
• Type in the email or NordPass name of the receiver
• Send the password

View NordPass

How to find a Wi-Fi password on any device

Finding a Wi-Fi password depends on the operating system you are using. Because they store them in different places, finding one on the spot can get tricky.

An easy solution is to use the most secure password manager and store them all in a single encrypted vault. However, there's no need for third-party software if you follow the tips and tricks below.

Here's how to view Wi-Fi passwords on iPhone, Android, Mac, and Windows devices.

View Wi-Fi password on iPhone

Here’s how to view the Wi-Fi password on your iPhone (iOS version 26 and later):

1. Open the Passwords app
2. Tap Wi-Fi
3. Select the Wi-Fi network you want to access
4. Tap the Password field

   

5. Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode if prompted
6. Tap Copy Password if you want to use or share the password elsewhere

You can also share a Wi-Fi network directly with a nearby Apple device. Open the Wi-Fi settings on the other device and select the network. When prompted on your iPhone, tap Share Password. Apple also provides a Show Network QR Code option that lets others scan the network information.

View Wi-Fi password on Android

The exact steps can vary depending on your Android phone and manufacturer, but on current Android devices you can generally share a saved Wi-Fi network through Settings:

1. Open the Settings app
2. Tap Network & Internet, then Internet
3. Select the Wi-Fi network you’re connected to or want to share
4. Tap Share
5. Verify your identity if prompted
6. A QR code containing the Wi-Fi network information will appear

On some Android devices, the Wi-Fi password is also displayed below the QR code. The exact interface and whether the password is shown as plain text can vary by device manufacturer and Android version.

View Wi-Fi password on Mac

Here’s how to view the Wi-Fi password on your Mac:

1. Go to the Apple menu and then System Settings
2. Choose Network and select Wi-Fi to the right
3. Scroll down and open Advanced options
4. Click the three horizontal dots (More button) next to the chosen network
5. Choose the Copy Password option
6. Paste it on your notes to reveal the password

View Wi-Fi password on Windows 10

Here’s how to view the Wi-Fi password on your Windows 10 PC:

1. Open Settings and go to Network & Internet
2. Select Status, then click Network and Sharing Center
3. Next to Connections, select your Wi-Fi network name
4. In the Wi-Fi Status window, select Wireless Properties
5. Open the Security tab and check Show characters
6. Your Wi-Fi password will appear in the Network security key field

View Wi-Fi password on Windows 11

You can also find it on a Windows 11 PC that’s connected to the network. Windows 11 also lets you share the network using a QR code, so another compatible device can connect without manually entering the password.

Here’s how to find your Wi-Fi password:

1. Open Settings and select Network & Internet
2. Select Properties next to your connected Wi-Fi network
3. Find Wi-Fi network password and select Show
4. Windows will display your Wi-Fi password and provide a QR code for sharing

You can scan the QR code with a compatible device to connect to the network, or enter the password manually when connecting to Wi-Fi.

Note: You can also find passwords for previously saved networks. Go to Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi → Manage known networks, select the network you want, and choose Show next to Wi-Fi network password.

Bottom line

Each major operating system has some way to view and share passwords, but they aren't necessarily the most comfortable or secure ones. There are several vulnerabilities affecting the Bluetooth connection that Apple uses to share passwords, and Windows doesn't have a password-sharing option at all.

I recommend using a dedicated password manager like NordPass to share Wi-Fi credentials securely. This provider uses advanced encryption to protect passwords from cyber threats. Furthermore, it allows sharing multiple passwords with multiple people simultaneously.

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