How to Find WiFi Password on iPhone: 3 Quick Ways to View Saved Networks

By AirTalk Team
5-minute read
In This Article

A friend asks for the WiFi password, or you need to connect a laptop, but no one remembers where the password was written down. If your iPhone has joined that network before, there is a good chance the login details are still saved on the device.

So, the question of how to find WiFi password on iPhone is simply a matter of opening the right location for your iOS version. You can retrieve the network currently in use, look through networks saved in the past, or manage them in the Passwords app.

1. Can You View a WiFi Password Directly on an iPhone?

Yes. On iOS 16 or later, you can reveal and copy the password for the WiFi network currently connected to your iPhone. The same feature also works for previously saved networks, even when they are no longer nearby.

The steps for how to find WiFi password on iPhone vary slightly by software version.

  • On iOS 16 and iOS 17, passwords are available through Wi-Fi settings.
  • Starting with iOS 18, they can also be found in the Passwords app, where current and previously saved networks appear together.

Before displaying a password, the iPhone requires Face ID, Touch ID, or the device passcode. It can only show credentials saved on the device or synced through the same Apple Account, not the password for a network it has never used.

Public networks that open a sign-in page may not have a conventional WiFi password to retrieve.

2. How to Find WiFi Password on iPhone in 3 Ways

A password for the current connection takes only a few taps to retrieve. Older networks are also accessible, although the location depends on the iOS version installed.

how-to-find-wifi-password-on-iphone-1
How to find the wifi password on iPhone: The iPhone stores saved WiFi passwords in several places, so you can view the current network, older saved networks, or credentials through the Passwords app. (Image by Pexels)

View the Password for the Connected WiFi Network

This is the quickest option when the iPhone is already online:

  • Open Settings and tap Wi-Fi.
  • Find the network marked with a check.
  • Tap the information icon beside its name.
  • Select the Password field.
  • Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or the iPhone passcode.
  • Tap Copy if the password is needed on another device.

Because WiFi passwords are case-sensitive, copying the value is safer than retyping it manually.

Open a Saved Network From the WiFi Settings

A network does not need to be within range for its saved password to remain accessible. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap Edit in the corner, and complete the authentication request.

The iPhone then displays the networks it remembers.

Select the information icon beside the required network, tap Password, and authenticate again if requested. This method is useful for a network previously used at home, work, or another trusted location.

Find WiFi Credentials in the Passwords App

On iOS 18 or later, open Passwords and unlock it with Face ID, Touch ID, or the device passcode. Select Wi-Fi to view saved networks, then choose the relevant name and tap its password field.

If you have many saved networks, the Passwords app makes how to find WiFi password on iPhone much quicker. Enter the network name in the search field instead of scrolling through the full list in Wi-Fi settings.

3. How to Find a Saved WiFi Password for a Network You Are Not Using

An iPhone can retain credentials after leaving a network, provided the network has not been forgotten or removed from the known-networks list. Follow these steps to retrieve an older password through WiFi settings:

Step 1: Open the WiFi Settings

Open Settings and select Wi-Fi. The iPhone does not need to be close to the saved network.

Step 2: Select Edit or View Known Networks

Tap Edit in the upper-right corner. Depending on the iOS version, the screen may refer to these entries as known or previously joined networks.

Step 3: Authenticate With Face ID, Touch ID, or the Passcode

Complete the security check to open the saved-network list. This prevents another person holding an unlocked iPhone from immediately viewing network credentials.

Step 4: Choose the Saved Network

Locate the correct network and tap its information icon. Check the network name carefully when several entries look similar.

Step 5: Tap the Password Field to Reveal or Copy It

Here is how to find saved WiFi password on iPhone without reconnecting: tap Password, confirm your identity if prompted, and select Copy.

If the network is missing, it may have been forgotten, removed through iCloud Keychain, or installed through a managed configuration that does not permit the password to be revealed.

4. Which Password Method Works With Your iOS Version?

Apple introduced direct WiFi password viewing in iOS 16 and added the dedicated Passwords app in iOS 18. The table shows which route is available on each version.

iOS VersionConnected Network PasswordSaved Network ListPasswords App
iOS 18 or laterAvailable through Settings > Wi-FiAvailable through Wi-Fi > EditAvailable under Passwords > Wi-Fi
iOS 16 and iOS 17Available through Settings > Wi-FiAvailable through Wi-Fi > EditNot available as a separate app
iOS 15 or earlierCannot be revealed directlyCannot be viewed directlyNot available

To check the installed version, open Settings > General > About and find iOS Version. If the iPhone supports a newer release, update it through Settings > General > Software Update.

On iOS 15 or earlier, the password must be checked through the router, another compatible Apple device, or the person who manages the network.

5. Can You Share WiFi Access Without Showing the Password?

Yes. An iPhone can connect a nearby Apple device to the current WiFi network without revealing or manually entering the password.

Before sharing, check that:

  • The connected iPhone is unlocked.
  • WiFi and Bluetooth are enabled on both devices.
  • Personal Hotspot is turned off.
  • The devices are close to each other.
  • Each person’s Apple Account email address or phone number is saved in the other person’s Contacts.

Once these conditions are met:

  • Step 1: Ask the recipient to open WiFi settings and select the network.
  • Step 2: Wait for the sharing prompt to appear on the connected iPhone.
  • Step 3: Tap Share Password.
  • Step 4: Select Done after the other device connects.

Supported newer iOS versions may also show a Show Network QR Code option. The recipient can scan this code to join without seeing the password as text.

Share access only with trusted people. For regular visitors, consider creating a separate guest network.

>>> Read more: Why Does My Hotspot Keep Turning Off? Common Causes and How to Stop It

6. Why Can’t You Find or Reveal the WiFi Password?

When how to find WiFi password on iPhone does not produce a visible password field, check these common causes:

  • The iPhone uses iOS 15 or earlier: Update to iOS 16 or later if the model supports it.
  • The network was never saved: The iPhone cannot reveal credentials for a network it has not previously joined.
  • The network was forgotten: Once removed from known networks, its saved password is deleted.
  • The wrong network entry is open: Use the information icon beside the connected or saved network rather than tapping its name alone.
  • Authentication was not completed: Retry Face ID or Touch ID, or enter the correct device passcode.
  • The network uses a sign-in page: Hotels, airports, and businesses may use captive portals instead of a standard password.
  • The network is managed: A workplace, school, or device-management profile may prevent the credential from being displayed.
  • The password has changed: The iPhone may still hold an outdated credential. Forget the network and join again with the current password.
  • iCloud Keychain has not synced: Confirm that Passwords & Keychain is enabled when expecting credentials saved on another Apple device.

7. FAQs

How to Reveal Password on iPhone?

Open Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the information icon beside the connected network, and select Password. Complete the Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode request to reveal and copy it.

How Can I Find My Wi-Fi Password?

For a current network, check its information page in WiFi settings. For a previous network, use Settings > Wi-Fi > Edit or open Passwords > Wi-Fi on iOS 18 or later.

Why Is My Wi-Fi Password Not Showing on My iPhone?

The iPhone may use iOS 15 or earlier, the network may have been forgotten, or the credential may be controlled by a management profile. Captive-portal networks also may not have a standard password for the iPhone to display.

8. Conclusion

The available path for how to find WiFi password on iPhone depends mainly on the installed iOS version. Use WiFi settings for a connected or previously joined network, or open the Passwords app on iOS 18 and later.

If another person only needs access, password sharing or a guest network can keep the main credential private.

Looking for more practical tips and mobile guides? Browse the latest articles on the AirTalk Wireless blog for more ways to get the most from your devices and service.

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