How to Check WiFi Password on Your Router — All Methods
Forgot your WiFi password? There are several ways to find it without a factory reset. Test your connection’s performance at instantspeedtest.net/ after reconnecting devices.
WiFi Password Recovery Methods — By Platform
| Method | Works If | Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Router sticker | Default password unchanged | Check back/bottom of router for printed password |
| Router admin panel | You can access router (192.168.1.1) | Login → Wireless → Security → show password |
| Windows (already connected) | Connected device available | Settings → Network → WiFi → Manage Networks → your network → View Password |
| Mac (already connected) | Mac previously connected | Keychain Access → search network name → Show Password |
| Android (already connected) | Android 10+ | Settings → WiFi → your network → Share → scan QR code |
| iPhone (iOS 16+) | iPhone previously connected | Settings → WiFi → (i) next to network → Password → Face ID |
The Router Admin Panel Method — Works Even Without Connected Devices
If you have any Ethernet-connected device or can connect via WiFi on a device that has the password saved: open a browser → go to 192.168.1.1 (or 192.168.0.1, or the IP on your router’s label) → log in with admin credentials (default: admin/admin, admin/password, or printed on router label) → navigate to Wireless or WiFi settings → look for “Security Key,” “Passphrase,” or “WPA Key” → the password is displayed. This works for any connected device regardless of operating system. If you’ve forgotten the router admin password AND the WiFi password, a factory reset becomes necessary. See our modem vs router guide.
Related Guides
- Modem vs Router Difference
- Does Router Affect Speed?
- Set Up Guest WiFi
- WiFi Connected No Internet
- WiFi Auth Error Android
- Devices on WiFi Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my WiFi password on my iPhone without being connected?
iOS 16 and later: Settings → WiFi → tap (i) next to any previously connected network → Password field → authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID → password is revealed. This works for any network your iPhone has connected to previously, even if not currently connected. Previously connected networks are stored in your iPhone’s keychain indefinitely until you forget the network or reset network settings.
What if my WiFi password has been changed and I don’t know the new one?
If you don’t have any devices with the current password saved and don’t have router admin access, a factory reset is the only option. Press and hold the reset button (usually a pinhole on the router back) for 10–15 seconds until the router light blinks — it returns to factory defaults including the original printed password. After reset, reconfigure your network settings. Note: ISP-provided combined modem/routers may require your ISP to reconfigure remotely after a factory reset — call ISP support if the internet doesn’t work after the reset.