Wi-Fi Password Recovery on Your iPhone: 3 Essential Methods

In our digital age, a forgotten Wi-Fi password can be a real showstopper, leaving you locked out of your virtual kingdom. The frustration of having a new device in your hands, yearning to connect to the internet but unable to recall the password, is all too relatable. But fear not! With the advent of iOS 16, Apple has introduced a feature that allows you to view Wi-Fi passwords directly on your iPhone. In this guide, we’ll walk you through three methods to view those elusive Wi-Fi passwords.

1. Viewing the Password of Your Currently Connected Network

Gone are the days when you had to navigate the labyrinthine settings of your Wi-Fi router to unearth the password of your currently connected network. With the new iOS 16, you can access your Wi-Fi password right in your device’s settings. Here’s how:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap on Wi-Fi to access your network settings.
2. Locate the Wi-Fi network you’re currently connected to and tap the small “i” (information) icon next to it.
3. On the following screen, tap the Password field, usually represented by dots, to reveal the hidden password.
4. After tapping the password field, your iPhone may request Face ID verification.
5. Once confirmed, the Wi-Fi password will be unveiled, and you’ll also have the option to copy it with a single tap or even have your iPhone verbally recite the password.

2. Revealing Wi-Fi Passwords for Previously Connected Networks

While accessing the password for your current network is a breeze, unearthing passwords for previously connected networks can be a bit more elusive, as Apple has hidden this setting. Here’s how to find the passwords of networks your iPhone has previously connected to:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap on Wi-Fi.
2. Tap the Edit button in the top-right corner to access the list of previously connected networks.
3. Select a network with a lock icon, indicating it’s secured, and tap the “i” (information) icon next to it.
4. On the subsequent screen, tap the Password field to reveal the password.

Much like in the first method, you can opt to copy the password with a single tap or have Siri speak it aloud.

3. Retrieving Wi-Fi Passwords from iCloud Keychain on a Mac

For users with older iPhone models not supporting the direct password viewing feature (iOS 15 or earlier), there’s a workaround. If you have a Mac with the same Apple ID and iCloud Keychain enabled, you can access Wi-Fi passwords on your Mac. Here’s how:

1. Open the Keychain Access using the spotlight search on your Mac.
2. In the Keychain Access window, navigate to the iCloud tab in the left sidebar.
3. Select the Passwords tab in the right menu bar at the top.
4. Locate the Wi-Fi network for which you want to view the password.
5. Double-click the Wi-Fi network entry, prompting a new pop-up window.
6. Check the “Show Password” box, and you’ll be prompted to enter your keychain password and your Mac’s administrator username and password (if it’s your first time doing this).
7. After verification, the Wi-Fi password will be displayed in the “Show Password” field.

Please note that you need administrative privileges on your Mac to access Wi-Fi passwords using this method.

Now that you’ve mastered the art of viewing Wi-Fi passwords on your iPhone, you can easily share them with friends and family using non-Apple devices or keep them handy for future reference. While you’re here, explore some hidden features in iOS 17 on your iPhone.