Easily locate Wi-Fi passwords on Windows and Mac devices

Remembering passwords can be very difficult. Since you should never use the same thing twice, it can be difficult to save even the most important ones, even if you use them every day. It’s a good idea to write them down in a safe place because if you don’t, one day you could expect your Wi-Fi router to completely reset. And it’s not something anyone would want to spend an hour of their day doing.

Typically, the Wi-Fi password should be printed on the back of the card router, but if this isn’t the case, don’t worry. There is another way to find the passwords for all the Wi-Fi networks you have ever connected to. They are all somewhere on your computer.

If your Windows or Mac computer has previously been connected to this network, your Wi-Fi password is permanently stored in your settings. It may take some digging on your part, but all the passwords are there, saved and ready to be shared with anyone who wants to connect to the Wi-Fi.

Here’s how to find the passwords for all the Wi-Fi networks you’ve ever connected to on macOS and Windows. For more, discover 17 essential settings to personalize your MacBook Or How to get the most out of Windows 11.

How to find Wi-Fi passwords on macOS

Every password you enter and save on your Mac is stored in Keychain Access, a password management system for macOS. This includes Wi-Fi passwords.

To get started, use the search function, open the Keychain Access app and do the following:

1. Click System under System key rings in the sidebar.

2. Then click Passwords at the top of the window.

3. Find the Wi-Fi network you want the password for and double-click it.

4. Finally, check the box next to it Show password and enter your password when prompted.

The password field will display the password you used to log in to this Wi-Fi network. You can double-click the password field to select a password and copy it to the clipboard if necessary.

How to find Wi-Fi passwords in Windows

Finding the password for the Wi-Fi network you’re currently connected to is simple in Windows, but getting all your saved Wi-Fi passwords takes some work, so we’ll cover both methods below.

To find the password of a Wi-Fi network you’re currently connected to in Windows:

1. Click Beginning button, then go to Control panel > Network and Internet > Network and sharing center (Windows 11) or Settings > Network and Internet > Status > Network and sharing center (Windows 10).

2. Near Acquaintancesclick on your Wi-Fi network name highlighted in blue.

3. On the Wi-Fi Status page that opens, click Wireless Real estate and then on Security strap.

4. Finally, check the box next to it Show signs to display the Wi-Fi password above it.

However, this is not the only way to find Wi-Fi passwords. The above method only allows you to view the password for any Wi-Fi network you are currently connected to, but there is a way to find passwords for All Wi-Fi networks you’ve ever connected to on your Windows PC.

To find all Wi-Fi passwords in Windows:

1. Right-click Windows icon on the desktop taskbar.

2. Click Windows Terminal (Admin).

3. Enter netsh wlan show profile and hit Enter on your keyboard to view each Wi-Fi network you’re connected to.

4. Once you find the Wi-Fi network you want to get the password for, enter it netsh wlan show profile “(Wi-Fi network name)” key=bright (For example, netsh wlan show profile “Netgear667” key=bright), then press Enter key.

The profile, connectivity, security and cost settings will appear. Your Wi-Fi password will appear under Security Settings and next to Key Content. In addition to the Windows Terminal, you can also use the Command Prompt application to type the above commands to find Wi-Fi passwords.

If you want to read more about passwords, both on your computer and on your smartphone, check out the section best password managers to use AND nine rules to follow when creating a password.