How to Find WiFi Password on Mac

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Connecting to WiFi networks is an essential part of using any Mac computer. Whether you’re joining your home WiFi, connecting at work, or logging onto public networks, you’ll need the correct password to access the internet.

Fortunately, Mac operating systems have built-in tools to view saved WiFi passwords. With just a few clicks, you can easily find passwords for networks you’ve already joined in the past.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain multiple methods to view, export, and recover WiFi passwords on a Mac. Let’s get started!

What is WiFi Password?

A WiFi password is a string of characters that is used to protect your WiFi network from unauthorized access. It is also sometimes referred to as a network security key or WPA/WPA2 key.

When you connect a device to a WiFi network, you are prompted to enter the password. If you enter the correct password, the device will be able to connect to the network. If you enter the wrong password, the device will not be able to connect to the network.

It is important to have a strong WiFi password to protect your network from hackers and other unauthorized users. A strong WiFi password is at least 12 characters long and includes a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

Here are some tips for creating a strong WiFi password:

  • Use a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • Make the password at least 12 characters long.
  • Avoid using personal information in your password, such as your name, birthday, or address.
  • Do not use easily guessed words or phrases, such as “password” or “123456”.

If you are unsure of how to create a strong WiFi password, there are a number of online tools that can help you generate a secure password.

Once you have created a strong WiFi password, it is important to keep it safe. Do not share your password with anyone and make sure to change it regularly.

How to Find WiFi Password on Mac (Quickly and Easily)

If you’ve ever forgotten your WiFi password, you’re not alone. It’s a common problem, but it’s easy to fix. There are a few different ways to find your WiFi password on Mac, and the best method for you will depend on your individual situation.

Method 1: Using Keychain Access

Keychain Access is a built-in app on Mac that stores all of your passwords, including your WiFi passwords. To find your WiFi password using Keychain Access, follow these steps:

  1. Open Spotlight Search (Command + Space) and type “Keychain Access”.
  2. In the Keychain Access window, click on the “System” keychain in the sidebar.
  3. In the search bar, type the name of your WiFi network.
  4. Double-click on the WiFi network name to open its details.
  5. Check the box next to “Show password”.
  6. Enter your Mac’s administrator password.
  7. Your WiFi password will be displayed in the “Password” field.

Method 2: Using Terminal

If you’re comfortable using Terminal, you can also find your WiFi password using the following command:

security find-generic-password -ga TypeInYourWiFiNameHere | grep “password:”

Replace: TypeInYourWiFiNameHere with the name of your WiFi network.

When you run this command, you’ll be prompted for your Mac’s administrator password. Once you enter your password, your WiFi password will be displayed in the Terminal window.

Method 3: Using a Third-Party App

There are also a number of third-party apps that can help you find your WiFi password on Mac. One popular option is an app called WiFi Password Viewer. To use WiFi Password Viewer, simply download and install the app, then launch it and click on the “Scan” button. The app will scan for all of the WiFi networks that you’ve connected to in the past and display their passwords.

Additional tips

  • If you’re having trouble finding your WiFi password, try restarting your Mac. This can often fix minor problems with Keychain Access and other apps.
  • If you’re still having trouble, you can try resetting your WiFi router. This will erase all of the settings on your router, including the WiFi password.
  • If you need to find the WiFi password for a shared network, you can ask the network administrator for the password.

How to View Saved WiFi Passwords on macOS (Step-by-step Guide)

To view saved Wi-Fi passwords on macOS, you can use the Keychain Access app.

  1. Open Spotlight Search (Command + Space) and type “Keychain Access”.
  2. In the Keychain Access window, click on the “System” keychain in the sidebar.
  3. In the search bar, type the name of your Wi-Fi network.
  4. Double-click on the WiFi network name to open its details.
  5. Check the box next to “Show password”.
  6. Enter your Mac’s administrator password.
  7. Your WiFi password will be displayed in the “Password” field.

Alternative method using Terminal

  1. Open Terminal.
  2. Type the following command and press Enter:
security find-generic-password -ga TypeInYourWiFiNameHere | grep “password:”

Replace: TypeInYourWiFiNameHere with the name of your WiFi network.

  1. When prompted, enter your Mac’s administrator password.
  2. Your WiFi password will be displayed in the Terminal window.

Notes:

  • If you’re having trouble finding your WiFi password, try restarting your Mac. This can often fix minor problems with Keychain Access and other apps.
  • If you’re still having trouble, you can try resetting your WiFi router. This will erase all of the settings on your router, including the WiFi password.
  • If you need to find the WiFi password for a shared network, you can ask the network administrator for the password.

Related Article: How to See WiFi Password on iPhone

How to Find WiFi Passwords on Windows (Easy Methods)

There are a few different ways to find Wi-Fi passwords on Windows. The best method for you will depend on your individual situation and preferences.

Method 1: Using Control Panel

  1. Open Control Panel.
  2. Go to Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
  3. Click on the Wi-Fi network name that you want to find the password for.
  4. Click on Wireless Properties.
  5. Click on the Security tab.
  6. Check the box next to “Show characters”.
  7. Your Wi-Fi password will be displayed in the Network security key box.

Method 2: Using Command Prompt

  1. Open Command Prompt.
  2. Type the following command and press Enter:
netsh wlan show profile name="Wi-Fi network name" key=clear

Replace: Wi-Fi network name with the name of the Wi-Fi network that you want to find the password for.

  1. Your Wi-Fi password will be displayed in the Key Content section.

Method 3: Using a third-party app

There are also a number of third-party apps that can help you find Wi-Fi passwords on Windows. One popular option is an app called WiFi Password Viewer. To use WiFi Password Viewer, simply download and install the app, then launch it and click on the “Scan” button. The app will scan for all of the WiFi networks that you’ve connected to in the past and display their passwords.

Additional tips

  • If you’re having trouble finding your Wi-Fi password, try restarting your computer. This can often fix minor problems with Windows networking.
  • If you’re still having trouble, you can try resetting your WiFi router. This will erase all of the settings on your router, including the WiFi password.
  • If you need to find the Wi-Fi password for a shared network, you can ask the network administrator for the password.

Related Article: How to See Wifi Password on Android

How to View WiFi Password on iPhone – A Step-by-Step Guide

To view the Wi-Fi password on your iPhone, you can follow these steps:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap on Wi-Fi.
  3. Tap on the information button (i) next to the Wi-Fi network whose password you want to view.
  4. Tap on Password.
  5. Authenticate yourself using Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.
  6. The Wi-Fi password will be displayed.

If you want to copy the Wi-Fi password to your clipboard, tap on the Copy button. You can then paste the password into another app, such as a password manager or a text editor.

Please note: You can only view the passwords of Wi-Fi networks that you have previously connected to on your iPhone. You cannot view the passwords of Wi-Fi networks that you have never connected to.

If you are unable to view the Wi-Fi password using the steps above, you may need to contact the network administrator for assistance.

How to Change a WiFi Password on Mac (Step-by-step Guide)

To change a WiFi password on a Mac:

  1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and select Open Network Preferences.
  2. Click the Advanced button in the bottom-right corner.
  3. Select the Wi-Fi network whose password you want to change and click the minus sign (-) button to remove it.
  4. Click the plus sign (+) button to add the network again.
  5. Enter the network name and new password, and click OK.
  6. Click Apply.

Note: If you have any other devices connected to the Wi-Fi network, you will need to enter the new password on those devices as well.

Here are some additional tips for changing your Wi-Fi password:

  • Choose a strong password that is at least 12 characters long and includes a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • Avoid using easily guessed passwords, such as your name, birthday, or address.
  • Change your Wi-Fi password regularly, at least every six months.
  • If you have any concerns about the security of your Wi-Fi network, you can contact your internet service provider for assistance.

Changing your Wi-Fi password can help to improve the security of your network and protect your devices from unauthorized access.

Why Find WiFi Passwords on Mac?

Here are some common reasons you may need to find WiFi passwords on your Mac:

  • Joining a network again – Once you’ve connected to a WiFi network on your Mac, the password is saved for future access. Retrieving it saves you time hunting for a written password or asking someone again.
  • Connecting other devices – Whether it’s your iPhone, iPad, or other computer, you’ll need the WiFi password handy to get additional devices online. Finding it on your Mac makes connecting new gadgets straightforward.
  • Sharing with friends/family – If you’re letting others use your WiFi network, retrieving the password on your Mac enables you to easily share it rather than trying to remember a complex passphrase.
  • Troubleshooting connections – If you can’t connect to a WiFi network that you’ve joined before, checking the saved password can help identify if the issue is an incorrect or outdated passphrase.
  • Security checks – Reviewing saved WiFi passwords allows you to check for networks you don’t recognize and remove any that shouldn’t be on your Mac for security reasons.

Where Are WiFi Passwords Stored on Mac?

To understand how to view saved WiFi passwords on a Mac, it helps to know where they are stored.

MacOS has a Keychain Access utility that securely stores all passwords, certificates, and login details used across the operating system. This includes WiFi network passwords, website logins, passwords for applications, and more.

Specifically, MacOS keeps a list of Preferred Networks in Keychain Access which includes all WiFi networks you have joined from that device. The corresponding WiFi passwords are encrypted and stored safely alongside them.

Keychain Access can only be accessed while logged into your Mac with the admin user account. This provides a level of security, as only authorized users can retrieve saved password details.

Now that you know where to find WiFi passwords, let’s look at the easy methods to view them.

How to Find WiFi Passwords: Easy Methods

Method 1: View Passwords in Keychain Access

The quickest way to find a saved WiFi password on a Mac is directly in the Keychain Access utility. Here’s how:

  1. Click the Apple menu and select ‘System Preferences’.
  2. In System Preferences, click ‘Keychain Access’.
  3. In the Keychain Access window, select ‘System’ then ‘Passwords’ in the left sidebar.
  4. Click on the ‘AirPort network password’ category header to view saved WiFi networks.
  5. Double click on the WiFi network you want the password for.
  6. Check the ‘Show password’ box and enter your admin username and password to view the WiFi network password.
  7. When finished, click the ‘Lock’ icon to hide the password again.
  8. You can repeat steps 5-7 to view passwords for other networks stored in Keychain Access.

That’s all there is to it! With Keychain Access you can quickly find and check the passwords for all WiFi networks saved on your Mac.

Method 2: Use System Preferences

An alternative method is to retrieve saved WiFi passwords using the System Preferences pane.

Follow these steps:

  1. Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Network.
  2. Select ‘Wi-Fi’ in the sidebar.
  3. Click on the WiFi network you want the password for.
  4. Click the ‘Advanced’ button.
  5. Select the ‘Wi-Fi’ tab.
  6. Check the ‘Show password’ box and enter your admin name and password to view the WiFi password.
  7. Click OK when finished.
  8. Repeat the steps for other networks as needed.

This enables you to view WiFi passwords directly through the Network preferences, without needing to open the Keychain Access utility.

Method 3: Use Terminal to Export Passwords

You can also access WiFi passwords using the Terminal app on your Mac.

Note: Terminal is best suited for more advanced users.

Follow these Terminal steps to export saved WiFi passwords:

  1. Launch ‘Terminal’ via Spotlight or the Applications > Utilities folder.
  2. Type the following command and press Return: security find-generic-password -ga "AirPort network password" > ~/Desktop/wifi-passwords.txt
  3. Enter your admin username and password when prompted.
  4. This exports a list of all saved WiFi passwords to a file on your desktop called ‘wifi-passwords.txt’.
  5. Open and view the file in TextEdit to see the SSID (network name) and password for each network.

The Terminal command lets you extract all WiFi passwords at once. But note it does not provide any other details like the encryption type.

How to Recover Forgotten WiFi Passwords on Mac

If you forgot the WiFi password and cannot locate it through Keychain Access, all hope is not lost. You have a couple options to recover lost WiFi passwords on a Mac.

Method 1: View on iOS device

If you have an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS, you may be able to find the lost password there.

Due to Apple’s ecosystem, WiFi network passwords are often synced across devices via iCloud Keychain.

Follow these steps to find WiFi passwords on an iOS device:

  1. Open the ‘Settings’ app and tap ‘Passwords & Accounts’.
  2. Tap ‘Website & App Passwords’.
  3. Search for the WiFi network name and tap to view the password.

If you remembered the WiFi network name, this could provide an easy way to recover the password on an iOS device.

Method 2: Use a password manager

Third party password managers like 1Password and LastPass also sync and store WiFi network passwords across devices.

If you have one of these apps set up, check if the WiFi password was saved:

  • 1Password – Check ‘1Password’ app > Vaults > Passwords. Search for WiFi network.
  • LastPass – Open LastPass app or vault > Passwords tab > search for WiFi network.

Having an extra backup in a password manager often helps retrieve forgotten WiFi passwords if not found in Keychain.

How to Remove Saved WiFi Passwords

If your Mac has old or unwanted saved WiFi passwords, you can easily remove them. Here are two ways to delete saved WiFi passwords on Mac:

Method 1: Keychain Access

  1. Open Keychain Access then select ‘Passwords’ category.
  2. Select the WiFi network password you want to remove.
  3. Right click and select ‘Delete’ to remove.

Method 2: System Preferences

  1. Go to System Preferences > Network > Wi-Fi.
  2. Click the WiFi network, click ‘Advanced’ > ‘Wi-Fi’ tab.
  3. Uncheck ‘Remember this network’ and click OK.
  4. When asked to confirm, click ‘Forget’ to remove the saved password.
  5. Repeat steps for any other networks you want to forget.

After removing unwanted networks, the passwords will no longer be stored on your Mac.

How to Protect Saved WiFi Passwords

While having quick access to WiFi passwords on your Mac is convenient, it also highlights the importance of keeping your device secure.

Here are a few tips to ensure saved passwords remain protected:

  • Always use a strong login password for your Mac user account. This prevents unauthorized access.
  • Avoid saving passwords for public networks not intended for reuse. Rather than saving, enter once and forget.
  • Enable FileVault disk encryption on your Mac hard drive. This protects all Keychain password data if your device is lost or stolen.
  • Make regular Time Machine backups. Having device backups means WiFi passwords remain accessible even if you lose access to your Mac.

By keeping your Mac secure and having backups, you can comfortably store WiFi passwords without worry.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are answers to some common questions about finding WiFi passwords on a Mac:

How do I reveal my current WiFi password on Mac?

Go to System Preferences > Network > Wi-Fi and click the connection. Click Advanced > Wi-Fi tab and check ‘Show password’.

Where does Mac save WiFi passwords by default?

Mac saves all WiFi passwords in the Keychain Access utility under System > Passwords.

Can you find WiFi passwords on Mac without admin access?

No, you must enter an admin account username and password before viewing saved Keychain data like WiFi passwords.

How can I export the saved WiFi passwords list?

You can use the ‘security’ command in Terminal to export all saved WiFi passwords into a text file. Or view them individually in Keychain Access.

Is there a way to recover lost WiFi passwords on Mac?

If a known WiFi password was lost, you may be able to find it again on a trusted iOS device if you use iCloud Keychain. Alternatively, a password manager like 1Password may have securely stored the password as a backup.

Conclusion

Mac computers store saved WiFi network passwords in the Keychain Access utility. To view or recover a password, open Keychain Access and navigate to System > Passwords > AirPort Network Password. Double click a network to reveal the password. Alternatively, go to System Preferences > Network > Wi-Fi, select the network, and click Show Password. With built-in tools like Keychain Access and System Preferences, finding WiFi passwords on a Mac is quick and straightforward.