How to View, Copy, and Share Wi-Fi Passwords on iPhone and iPad

Connecting guests or secondary devices to your home or office wireless network frequently involves tracking down complex network security keys printed on the underside of a router. In modern iOS and iPadOS versions (iOS 16, iOS 17, iOS 18, and later), Apple provides built-in tools that allow you to reveal your saved Wi-Fi passwords behind Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode. You can instantly copy passwords to your clipboard, share them with non-Apple hardware, or use seamless proximity sharing to transmit credentials directly to nearby iPhone, iPad, and Mac users without typing a single character.

Prerequisites for Sharing Wi-Fi Passwords on Apple Devices

Before using Apple’s automatic wireless credential-sharing feature, ensure that both devices satisfy the following configuration settings:

• Software Version: Both devices must run up-to-date operating systems (iOS 11 or later for proximity sharing; iOS 16 or later to view and copy passwords).
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth must remain enabled on both devices. If either device has Personal Hotspot enabled, disable it temporarily.
• Apple Account & Contacts: Ensure each person has the other’s email address associated with their Apple ID saved in their respective Contacts app.
• Proximity: Position the two devices within physical Bluetooth range (typically within 1 to 2 metres).

How to Share a Wi-Fi Password with a Nearby Apple Device Automatically

If a friend or colleague with an iPhone, iPad, or Mac wants to join the wireless network you are currently connected to, you can authenticate them with a single tap.

1. Make sure your iPhone or iPad is unlocked and connected to the target Wi-Fi network.
2. On your guest’s device, instruct them to open Settings > Wi-Fi and select the name of your network.
3. When the password entry screen appears on their device, an interactive card labelled Wi-Fi Password will automatically slide up on your unlocked iPhone.
4. Tap Share Password on your screen.
5. The password will securely transmit over an encrypted peer-to-peer connection. Once the process finishes, tap Done on your device, and your guest’s device will automatically join the network.

How to View and Copy Your Saved Wi-Fi Password on iPhone and iPad

When connecting Windows PCs, Android phones, gaming consoles, or smart home appliances, proximity sharing is unavailable. Fortunately, iOS lets you reveal and copy the plain-text password directly from your network settings.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap Wi-Fi.
3. Locate your currently active network (indicated by a blue checkmark) and tap the blue Info (i) icon on the far right.
4. Locate the Password field, which displays hidden bullet dots.
5. Tap directly on the masked password. Your device will prompt for biometric authentication via Face ID or Touch ID (or request your passcode).
6. Upon authentication, the plain-text characters are displayed, and an action menu appears. Tap Copy to place the password on your clipboard.

You can now paste the credentials into Messages, Mail, or a temporary note to share with non-Apple devices.

How to View Passwords for Previously Connected Networks

You can also retrieve passwords for Wi-Fi networks you joined in the past, even if you are not currently in physical proximity to that router.

1. Open Settings and navigate to Wi-Fi.
2. Tap the Edit button situated in the top right corner of the screen.
3. Authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode to access your network history.
4. Scroll through the Known Networks list to locate the specific network.
5. Tap the Info (i) icon next to that network name.
6. Tap the obscured Password field to reveal and copy the saved security key.

Troubleshooting Wi-Fi Password Sharing Issues

If the automatic password-sharing pop-up does not appear when another Apple device attempts to connect, apply these straightforward troubleshooting steps:

• Toggle Bluetooth and Wi-Fi: Open Control Centre on both devices, toggle Bluetooth and Wi-Fi off for five seconds, and turn them back on.
• Verify Contact Cards: Check that the host has the guest’s Apple ID email listed on their contact card, and vice versa. Apple relies on reciprocal contact verification to prevent unauthorised credential harvesting.
• Restart Both Devices: Perform a standard restart on both devices to refresh the CoreBluetooth and Continuity daemon caches.
• Use Plain-Text Sharing as a Fallback: If network security restrictions or enterprise profiles block proximity sharing, use the Face ID reveal method above to manually provide the password.