We’ve all been there — a friend asks for the WiFi password, and you’re staring at that tiny sticker on your router trying to decipher faded letters. Or maybe you just got a new device and need to reconnect but can’t remember the password. I’m going to show you the easiest way to reveal any saved WiFi password directly on your iPhone, no third-party apps or complicated hacks required.
By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how to pull up the password for any network your iPhone has ever joined (as long as you’re currently connected or have connected in the past). You’ll get the actual text password that you can copy, share, or type into another device. Plus, I’ll throw in a few tips for sharing via QR code and what to do if your iPhone can’t show the password. Let’s get started!
What You’ll Need
- An iPhone running iOS 16 or later (the feature isn’t available on older versions)
- A saved WiFi network (you must have connected to it at least once)
- Your iPhone’s passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID — you’ll need it to authenticate
- The network should not be a public/enterprise network that uses certificates
Step 1: Make Sure You’re Connected to the WiFi Network
First things first: you need to be connected to the WiFi network whose password you want to see. If you’re not currently connected, head to Settings > Wi-Fi and tap on the network to join. You’ll need the password to connect, but if you’ve connected before, it should auto-join. If you’ve never connected, you won’t be able to view the password — sorry, no magic here.
Step 2: Open the Wi-Fi Settings
Open the Settings app — that gray gear icon. Then tap on Wi-Fi. You’ll see a list of available networks. The one you’re connected to will have a blue checkmark next to it. That’s the one we want. Tap the blue (i) icon — it looks like a lowercase ‘i’ in a circle — to the right of the network name.
Step 3: Authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID
On the network details page, you’ll see a field labeled ‘Password’. It’s hidden behind a lock icon. Tap on that field. Your iPhone will immediately ask you to authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode. This is a security measure so that only you can see the password. Go ahead and authenticate — your finger on the home button or a quick face scan will do the trick.
Step 4: View and Copy the Password
Once authenticated, the password field will reveal the actual text password. You can tap and hold on the password to select it, then choose Copy. Now you can paste it into a message, email, or even text it to your friend. Below the password, you’ll also see a QR code that others can scan to join the network instantly — neat, right?
Step 5: Share via QR Code (Optional)
If you want to share the network without typing the password, you can use the built-in QR code. On the same network details page, tap the QR code icon in the upper right corner. A larger QR code appears that your guest can scan with their iPhone camera. When they scan it, a notification pops up asking to join the network. It’s super handy and avoids any typos. For more on this, check out our guide on wifi password recovery with qr code.
Common Pitfalls
- iOS version too old: This feature requires iOS 16 or later. If you’re on an older version, you won’t see the password field. Consider updating your iPhone or using alternative methods like checking your router’s sticker or logging into the router admin page.
- Not connected to the network: You can only view the password for the network you’re currently connected to. If you’re not connected, the ‘i’ icon won’t show the password field.
- Enterprise or public networks: Some networks — like those at hotels, schools, or workplaces — use WPA2-Enterprise authentication with certificates. These networks don’t have a simple text password, so you won’t be able to view it using this method.
Where to Next
Now that you’ve got your iPhone’s WiFi password in hand, you might want to check out how to do the same on other devices. If you use Windows, you can view saved wifi password windows or find saved wifi password windows with just a few clicks. For Android users, we have a guide on wifi password recovery step by step. And if you’re dealing with a lost password entirely, our wifi password recovery for windows users or wifi password recovery without root articles can help. Happy sharing!
