How do I find my forgotten WiFi password? Detailed manual

It happens to everyone – you connect to WiFi once, save your password, and years later, when you need to log in from another device, you find you don’t know it. It often happens when a new device comes into the home, you change internet providers, or you want to share your password with guests. And if you haven’t written down your password, it can be a big problem.

The good news is that passwords are usually not irretrievably lost – they can usually be easily recovered using a computer, phone, router or key fob. This guide will walk you through all the ways you can find your password, plus tips on how to avoid a similar situation in the future.

1. Look at the router – the first option

The easiest option? Check your WiFi router. If you’ve never changed your password, you’ll probably find the default password on a label on the back or bottom of your router.

✅ What to look for?

• SSID (WiFi name) and Network Key (password)
• Alternatively, a password marked as WPA Key or WiFi Password

⚠️ When does it not work?

• If you have changed your password to your own and you don’t remember it
• If the label on the router is missing or illegible

If you can’t find the password here, read on – we have many other solutions.

2. How to find your WiFi password in Windows

If you’ve ever connected to WiFi on your computer, the password is stored in Windows. Just view it. There are several methods to do this, including using the command line, control panels, or special third-party tools.

Method 1: Command line (CMD)

This method is fast and requires no additional programs. Just use the integrated Windows network tools.

Open Command Prompt as administrator (press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter).

Enter this command to view all saved WiFi profiles:

netsh wlan show profiles

Find your WiFi in the list of saved networks and enter the following command, replacing “NAME_WiFi” with the actual network name:

netsh wlan show profile name="NAZEV_WiFi" key=clear

In the Security settings section, you will find the Key Content item where the password will be displayed.

💡 Hint: This method only works for networks you’ve already connected to and whose password is stored in the system.

Method 2: Control panels

If you prefer a graphical interface, you can find the password in the network settings via the Control Panel.

1. Open the Control Panel (press Win + R, type control, and press Enter).
2. Go to the Network and Sharing Centre.
3. Click on your currently connected WiFi network.
4. In the new window, select Wireless Network Properties.
5. Go to the Security tab.
6. Select the Show Characters check box – the password appears in the Network Security Key field.

Method 3: Using third-party tools

If you don’t want to play with the command line or Control Panel, you can use specialized programs that allow you to easily view your saved WiFi passwords. Popular ones include:

• WirelessKeyView by NirSoft – a simple tool that displays all stored passwords of WiFi networks on the system.
• WiFi Password Revealer – another tool that allows you to easily view passwords without the need for manual commands.

⚠️ Important: These programs are safe, but always download software only from official sites to avoid malware.

📌 Summary:

• If you’re not afraid of the command line, use CMD.
• If you prefer a graphical interface, use the Control Panel.
• If you want the fastest solution, try specialized tools.

With these methods, you should be able to reset your WiFi network password easily! 🔑

3. How to find out the WiFi password on Mac

If you’ve ever connected to a WiFi network on your Mac before, the password is stored on the system and can be easily viewed through Keychain Access. This app stores login credentials for WiFi networks, websites, and other services you’ve used on your Mac.

How do I view my WiFi password on macOS?

1. Open the Keychain Access app – you can find it in Applications → Utilities, or you can search for it via Spotlight(Cmd + Spacebar, then type “Keychain”).
2. Select the System category from the left menu, and then go to the Passwords tab.
3. In the search box on the top right, type the name of the WiFi network you want to find the password for.
4. Right-click the network you found and select Show Password.
5. You will be prompted to enter your Mac’s administrator password (the password you use to log in to the system).
6. After confirmation, the password is displayed in the Show Password field.

💡 Tip: If you have a Mac connected to iCloud and use iCloud Keychain, your WiFi network password can be synced with your other Apple devices (e.g. iPhone, iPad). This means you can automatically connect to WiFi from other devices without having to enter a password.

Alternative ways to find out the WiFi password on a Mac

🔹 Using the Terminal: If you prefer to work with the command line, you can find out the password to your WiFi network directly via Terminal:

Open Terminal(Cmd + Spacebar, type “Terminal” and press Enter).

Enter the following command and replace NAZEV_WiFi with the actual network name:

security find-generic-password -ga "NAZEV_WiFi" | grep "password:

After pressing Enter, you will be prompted to enter your administrator password.

The password is displayed in text form.

📌 Note: This method only works for WiFi networks that you have previously connected to and whose password is stored in the system.

Using Keychain or Terminal is an efficient way to quickly find out a forgotten WiFi password on your Mac without having to access your router settings or reset your connection. 🔑

4. How to find out the password on your mobile (iPhone / Android)

Mobile phones usually remember passwords for WiFi networks, so if you’re already connected to the network, it’s easy to find out. The options vary depending on the operating system and its version.

iPhone (iOS 16 and later)

Starting with iOS 16, Apple finally allows you to view your saved passwords for WiFi networks directly in Settings:

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi.
2. Tap (i) next to your connected WiFi network.
3. Tap Show password (you’ll need to use Face ID or Touch ID).
4. The password will be displayed and you can copy or share it.

📌 Tip: If you have an older version of iOS (15 or older), you can only find out your WiFi password through your Mac and the Klíčenka app.

Android (various versions)

Newer versions of Android make it easy to share WiFi passwords:

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi.
2. Tap the connected WiFi network.
3. Select Share (can be marked as QR code WiFi or Share password).
4. The QR code contains a password that can be scanned with another phone or displayed as text.

⚠️ What should I do if the Share option is missing? This feature is not available on some phones (especially older versions of Android). In this case, you can use third-party apps like WiFi Key Recovery to find out the password (requires root access).

🔐 Alternative methods for iOS and Android

• If you use a password manager like iCloud Keychain or Google Password Manager, your password may be stored there.
• If you’ve ever manually entered your WiFi password into notes or documents, try looking them up.

If none of these methods work, try finding the password on your router by following the instructions below. 🔽

5. How to find the password in the router

If you were unable to find the WiFi password on your computer or mobile, you can find it directly in the router’s administration. The router stores all network settings, including the network name (SSID) and WiFi password. Accessing the administration allows you to not only retrieve the password, but also make other configurations, such as changing security or restricting network access.

Step by step: how to find the password in the router administration 🔍

1. Connect to your router – preferably via cable or WiFi if you’re still connected.
2. Open a web browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox) and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 (depending on your router model) in the address bar.
3. Log in to the router’s administration – the default username and password is admin/admin or admin/password, but if you have changed them, you will need your current login details.
4. Find the WiFi or Wireless Settings section – this section may be named differently depending on the brand of router (e.g. “Wireless Settings”, “WiFi Settings” or “Wireless Security”).
5. Look for WPA Key, Passphrase or WiFi Password – this should store the current password for your WiFi network.
6. Copy or change your password – if you need to, you can change it to a new, easier-to-remember but still secure password.

What should I do if I don’t know my router login credentials? 🛠

If you have changed your login and password for router administration and do not remember them:

• Look for a label on the bottom or back of the router that may have default login information.
• Try the usual combinations like admin/admin or admin/password.
• If you cannot gain access, you will need to reset the router to factory settings (see next section).

How to reset your router to factory settings 🔄

If you cannot access the router’s administration, you can reset the router to its default state:

1. Find the small reset button on the back of the router.
2. Hold it down for 10-30 seconds (use a paper clip, for example).
3. The router will reboot and return to factory settings – the login credentials will be the default again (you can find them on the router’s label).
4. After the reset, reconnect to the router and follow the steps above.

Tips for better WiFi password management ✅

• Change the default password to administer the router – many people leave the default, which can be a security risk.
• Write down your WiFi password in a safe place or save it in a password manager.
• Use a strong password – a combination of letters, numbers and special characters increases the security of your network.
• Update your router firmware regularly – it ensures security and better network performance.

These steps will not only help you find your forgotten password, but also ensure that your home WiFi network is more secure and better managed. 🔐

How can I prevent forgetting my password in the future?

• Use a password manager (e.g. NordPass, ProtonPass or LastPass)
• Save your password on your phone or on a piece of paper
• Use an easy-to-remember but safe combination

Using a VPN for better security 🛡️

WiFi security should be a priority for anyone who wants to avoid the risks associated with hacking attacks, monitoring online activity or leaking sensitive data. Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is an effective way to protect your internet connection from unauthorized access and cyber threats.

How does a VPN work and why is it important? 🔒

A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet, which means any data you send or receive is encrypted and hidden from third parties, including ISPs, network administrators and potential attackers.

This is especially important when connecting to public WiFi networks, for example in cafes, hotels or airports, where the connection may be vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks.

Benefits of using a VPN 🏆

✅ Data encryption – Prevent third parties from eavesdropping on your traffic.
✅ Privacy – Hides your IP address and anonymizes your location.
✅ Access blocked content – Allows you to bypass geo-restrictions and censorship.
✅ S ecure connections on public WiFi networks – Prevents hackers from accessing your sensitive data.
✅ S afer online banking – Minimises the risk of phishing attacks and password theft.

Which VPN to choose? 📌

There are many VPN services on the market, but not all provide the same level of protection and privacy. It’s recommended to choose a trusted paid VPN service like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost or Surfshark, which offer strong encryption, no logging of user activity and fast connections.

Free VPN services often store user data or have limited functionality.

How to set up a VPN correctly? 🚀

1. Choose a trusted VPN provider and download their app.
2. Install the VPN client on your device (PC, Mac, mobile, tablet, router).
3. Log in to your account and select your preferred server location.
4. Activate your VPN connection – from now on, your internet traffic is protected.

Using a VPN is a simple and effective solution for anyone who wants to ensure secure and private access to the internet. If you regularly connect to unknown or public WiFi networks, a VPN should be an essential tool for your digital protection.

Forgotten WiFi passwords don’t have to be a nightmare. With these tips and methods, you can get online quickly and easily. Next time? You may never forget your password again! 😉