Find your router password on the router’s label, in the saved Wi-Fi settings on your phone or computer, or in the router’s app or settings page. The printed password works only if it has not been changed. For the router’s administration page, you need its administrator login, which is separate from the Wi-Fi password. The Windows steps use Windows 11 menus.
The short version
- Start with the label: Check the router and installation paperwork for the original Wi-Fi password.
- Use a saved connection: Windows 11, iPhone, iPad, and Mac offer ways to reveal saved Wi-Fi passwords.
- Share access: Supported Pixel and Galaxy phones can display a QR code another device can scan.
- Check router settings: A compatible router app or local administration page can provide Wi-Fi details.
- Leave resets until last: A factory reset deletes customized settings instead of finding the old password.
| Method | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Router label or paperwork | The printed Wi-Fi password has not changed |
| Network owner or installer | You need the current network password |
| Windows 11 connected network | The PC has the connected network’s password saved |
| Windows 11 known networks | The PC previously saved the network |
| iPhone or iPad connected network | You use iOS 16 or later or iPadOS 16.1 or later |
| iPhone or iPad saved networks | A previously connected network is saved |
| iPhone or iPad Passwords app | You use iOS 18 or later or iPadOS 18 or later |
| iPhone network QR code | You want another device to scan and join |
| Mac Passwords app | You use macOS Sequoia 15 or later |
| Mac System Settings | You use macOS Ventura 13 or later |
| Mac Keychain Access | The network or administrator login is stored in an accessible keychain |
| Pixel QR sharing | Your Pixel is connected to the network |
| Galaxy QR sharing | Your connected Galaxy supports the feature |
| TP-Link Tether | Your router is compatible with Tether |
| TP-Link Deco | Your phone is connected to the Deco network |
| eero app | You administer the eero network |
| Google Home | You manage a Google Wifi or Nest Wifi network |
| TP-Link local settings | You have the administrator password and a supported interface |
| ASUS local settings | Your supported router uses firmware 3.0.0.6.102_35404 or later |
| Linksys local settings | You can sign in to the router’s local interface |
| Chrome saved login | You previously saved the administrator password |
| TP-Link administrator recovery | You configured recovery before losing access |
| NETGEAR password replacement | You can administer the router and need a new Wi-Fi password |
| TP-Link factory reset | Wi-Fi and administrator access are lost and recovery has failed |
Check the router label and installation paperwork
Look underneath and behind the router for the network name, also called the SSID, and its password or network key. Check any supplied card, documentation, or installer’s information sheet too. Match the network name to the network you want to join.
A changed Wi-Fi password will not match the original printed credentials. If the label does not get you connected, ask whoever installed or administers the network for the current password, or use a device that already has the network saved.
Find a saved password on Windows
On Windows 11, open Settings > Network & internet > Properties. Beside Wi-Fi network password, select Show to display the connected network’s saved password. The resulting screen also offers a QR code for connecting another device.
For a previously saved network on Windows 11, open Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks. Select the entry matching your router’s network name, then select Show beside Wi-Fi network password. If the PC does not have the credential saved, use another device with the saved network or your router’s app.
Reveal the password on iPhone or iPad
On iOS 16 or later, or iPadOS 16.1 or later, open Settings > Wi-Fi. Tap the Info button beside the connected network, then tap Password. Authenticate with your device passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID to reveal it.
On those versions, find previously connected networks by opening Settings > Wi-Fi > Edit. Authenticate, tap the Info button beside a saved network with a lock icon, then tap Password.
On iOS 18 or later and iPadOS 18 or later, you can also open and unlock Passwords. Tap Wi-Fi, choose the network, and tap Password. On a current iPhone, you can tap Show Network QR Code in the network entry so another device can scan it to join.
Locate a saved password on Mac
On macOS Sequoia 15 or later, open Passwords > Wi-Fi and select the network. Hover over the dots beside Password to reveal it, or click the dots to copy it. You can also click Show Network QR Code for another device to scan.
On macOS Ventura 13 or later, choose Apple menu > System Settings > Network > Wi-Fi > Advanced. Click the More button beside the saved network and choose Copy Password. Paste it into a suitable text field to read it.
For a network or router login stored in an accessible keychain, find Keychain Access using Spotlight and press Return. Select the relevant keychain, click Passwords, and double-click the saved network or router-login item. Select Show password, enter the keychain password, and click Allow.
Share access from a Pixel or Galaxy phone
On a current Google Pixel, open Settings > Network & internet > Internet and connect to the desired network. Tap its Settings icon, then Share, and authenticate if requested. Let the other device scan the displayed QR code to join.
On supported Samsung Galaxy S24, S25, S26, Z Fold, Z Flip, and A-series devices, open Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi. Tap the Settings icon beside the connected network, then tap QR code. Have the recipient scan the code.
Galaxy QR sharing availability depends on the model and software. If your phone lacks that control, use the router label, a saved password on another device, or the router app. These QR methods share access; if you need to read the password, use a password display method on your computer, Apple device, or router.
Open your router app
For a compatible TP-Link router, get the app or check compatibility on the official Tether app page, then open Tether and sign in to the router. On supported Wi-Fi 6, 6E, and 7 routers, tap Wi-Fi Settings; on other supported Tether models with that interface, open Tools > Wireless. Inspect Network Name and Password.
With a TP-Link Deco system, connect your phone to the Deco network and open Deco > More > Wi-Fi Settings. Read the password field or tap Share Wi-Fi to display the network name, password, and QR code. Individual screens and features can vary by model and software.
For an eero network you administer, open eero > Settings > Wifi name & password. Read the credentials, or tap Share QR code or Share wifi details.
For Google Wifi or Google Nest Wifi, open Google Home > Home > Wifi > Share password. Tap Copy, Message, or Email as needed. If older instructions direct you to the standalone Google Wifi app, use Google Home for current network management.
Read the password in router settings
On a TP-Link router with the supported interface, connect by Wi-Fi or Ethernet and open tplinkwifi.net or 192.168.0.1 in your browser. You can log in to router settings using the administrator password. Open Wireless > Wireless Settings or Basic > Wireless, depending on the interface, and read the wireless password.
For a supported ASUS router running firmware 3.0.0.6.102_35404 or later, connect by Ethernet and open asusrouter.com or the router’s LAN IP address. Sign in, then open Network > Main network profile. Read the Wi-Fi name and password under Wireless Security.
On a Linksys router with the supported local interface, connect to the router and sign in to its local administration page. Under Router Settings, select Wi-Fi Settings to view the Wi-Fi configuration. If your model is affected by Smart WiFi cloud retirement, connect locally and open myrouter.local or the 192.168.1.1 admin page, then sign in with the router’s local password.
Find or recover the administrator password
A saved browser login can help when you need the password for the router’s administration page. In desktop Chrome, open More > Passwords and autofill > Google Password Manager. Under Passwords, select the saved entry for the router’s address or management site, select Show password, and complete any requested authentication.
Connecting to Wi-Fi alone does not create a saved router administrator entry in Chrome. Sign in only through Google’s own app or website, and never share a code, password, or remote access with someone who contacts you.
On supported TP-Link models, recovery works only when it was configured before you lost access. The recovery process replaces your administrator password. Visit tplinkwifi.net, click Forgot Password?, complete the configured email or security-question verification, and set a new password.
Security-question support depends on the TP-Link model, and TP-Link ID login disables the email-recovery method. If recovery was not configured, check for a saved administrator credential in Chrome or Mac Keychain Access before considering a factory reset.
Replace the password only when retrieval fails
If you can administer a supported NETGEAR router but still need a usable Wi-Fi password, you can change your Wi-Fi router password. Replacing it means your devices must reconnect with the new password. While connected to the router, open routerlogin.net, sign in, and select Wireless; on Nighthawk Pro Gaming models, select Settings > Wireless Setup. Enter a new value in Password (Network Key), select Apply, and reconnect your devices.
For a TP-Link router, consider a factory reset only as a last resort when Wi-Fi and administrator access are lost and recovery has failed. It replaces or restores credentials rather than recovering the old password. Use the instructions for your router model because reset procedures and timing differ.
Factory resetting a TP-Link router erases customized internet, Wi-Fi, and administrator settings. For routers covered by TP-Link’s reset procedure, leave the router powered on and hold Reset for approximately 10 seconds. Afterward, reconfigure it using its model-specific default credentials or initial password-creation process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Chromebook get Wi-Fi access from an Android phone?
Yes, a compatible connected Android phone configured for network synchronization can supply Wi-Fi credentials. On the Chromebook, select the time and open Settings. Under Connected devices, select the paired phone and turn on Wi-Fi Sync. This shares access rather than displaying the password.
Can I connect a printer without finding the Wi-Fi password?
A WPS-capable printer can connect to a supported TP-Link router using WPS. Start WPS on the compatible client, then within two minutes press the router’s WPS button for one second. Follow the model manual’s timing for other hardware; this connects the device without revealing the password.
How do I find the password for a guest network?
For Google Wifi or Google Nest Wifi, open Google Home > Home > Wifi > Share password, and swipe left for the guest-network password. For an already enabled eero guest network, open eero > Settings > Guest wifi network and select Share wifi details or Share QR code.
Why does hotel Wi-Fi ask for another login after I enter the password?
A captive-portal login can be separate from the Wi-Fi password. Check the venue’s posted signs or information sheets, or ask staff for the current connection details.
Why is password sharing unavailable on a managed Apple device?
Your administrator can disable password sharing through a device-management restriction. Ask the administrator to check allowPasswordSharing; a false value disables sharing through Passwords or the AirDrop passwords feature.