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Your network security key is usually your Wi-Fi password. It may also be labeled Wi-Fi password, wireless password, network key, WPA key, WPA2 passphrase, or WPA3 passphrase.
The instructions below show how to retrieve the key from Windows, Apple devices, Android, Chromebook, Linux, a router, or an internet provider app. They are intended for networks you own or are authorized to use.
What does “network security key” mean?
When a phone, laptop, smart TV, printer, game console, or other device asks you to Enter the network security key, it is normally asking for the password used to join the selected Wi-Fi network.
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In an ordinary home network using WPA-Personal, WPA2-Personal, or WPA3-Personal, the terms network security key, Wi-Fi password, and wireless passphrase usually refer to the same shared credential. Microsoft also describes this value as a network key or passphrase in its WLAN documentation.
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Do not confuse the key with the network’s SSID. The SSID is the Wi-Fi network name that appears in the list of available networks; the security key is the password for that name. Enter the password exactly as configured. Wi-Fi passwords are case-sensitive, so check uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, symbols, and any spaces. Characters such as O and 0, or I, 1, and lowercase l, are easy to misread.
Credentials that are not the Wi-Fi password
| Credential | What it is used for |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi password/network security key | Joining the wireless network. |
| Router administrator password | Opening the router’s settings and changing network configuration. It may be completely different from the Wi-Fi password. |
| WPS PIN | Pairing certain devices with a router through Wi-Fi Protected Setup. It is not necessarily the Wi-Fi password. |
| Mobile hotspot password | Joining a network created by a phone’s hotspot feature, rather than the home router. |
| Captive-portal login | Signing in through a web page at a hotel, airport, library, restaurant, or other public location after connecting to Wi-Fi. |
| Enterprise Wi-Fi credentials | A school, company, or hospital network may require a username, password, certificate, or managed 802.1X/EAP profile instead of one shared password. |
If the network belongs to an organization, ask its administrator for the approved connection method. Do not try to bypass enterprise authentication.
Find the key on a device that is already connected
A connected device is usually the safest way to recover a forgotten Wi-Fi password. Use the section for your device below.
Windows 11: use the current Settings path
Microsoft’s current Windows instructions use the following route:
- Open Settings.
- Select Network & internet.
- Select Wi-Fi.
- Open Properties for the current Wi-Fi network.
- Select Show beside Wi-Fi network password.
The displayed value is the key for that network. See Microsoft’s current Windows Wi-Fi instructions if the labels differ on your build.
To reveal a password for a network saved on the computer but not currently connected:
- Open Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi.
- Select Manage known networks.
- Select the saved Wi-Fi network.
- Select Show beside Wi-Fi network password.
This only works for a saved profile that contains a recoverable shared password. A managed work computer may restrict access to stored credentials.
Older Windows interface: Wireless Properties
The classic Control Panel route remains useful on some Windows 10 and Windows 11 installations:
- Open Network and Sharing Center.
- Select the connected Wi-Fi network beside Connections.
- Select Wireless Properties.
- Open the Security tab.
- Enable Show characters.
- Read the value in Network security key.
This route is still documented by Microsoft, but the Settings path is generally more direct on Windows 11.
Windows command line: show a saved key
For an advanced option, open Command Prompt and list the wireless profiles saved on the computer:
netsh wlan show profilesCopy the exact profile name, then run:
netsh wlan show profile name="Your Wi-Fi Name" key=clearLook under the security information for Key Content. Microsoft documents these commands in its netsh wlan reference and WLAN profile guidance.
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- The Wi-Fi profile must already be saved on that computer.
key=cleardisplays the secret in plain text. Do not leave the output visible or share it unnecessarily.- A work-managed PC may prevent access to the profile or key.
- The graphical method is safer for most users.
You can also export a profile, although this creates a file containing the key in plain text:
mkdir C:WiFi
netsh wlan export profile name="Your Wi-Fi Name" folder=C:WiFi key=clearUse this only when necessary, protect the exported XML file, and delete it securely after use. Microsoft describes the export syntax and the plain-text effect of key=clear in its Wi-Fi profile documentation.
iPhone or iPad
On iOS 16, iPadOS 16.1, and later, you can reveal a saved Wi-Fi password after authenticating with the device passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID.
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For the network currently in use:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Wi-Fi.
- Tap the Info button next to the network.
- Tap Password.
- Authenticate when prompted.
To find a previously joined network, open Settings → Wi-Fi → Edit, authenticate, select the network, and tap Password.
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On iOS 18 and later, you can also open the Passwords app, tap Wi-Fi, select the network, and tap the Password field. Apple’s instructions are available in its guides for saved Wi-Fi passwords and finding and sharing Wi-Fi passwords.
Share an iPhone’s Wi-Fi access without reading the password
Apple devices can share a Wi-Fi password through a prompt, so the recipient does not need to see or type the key. The sharing device should be unlocked and connected to the network. The devices need to be nearby, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, and the people involved must meet Apple’s Contacts requirements.
On current iPhone software, the Wi-Fi password screen can also include Show Network QR Code. The other device can scan that code to join the network. A public screenshot or printed copy of the QR code should be treated like a password because anyone who scans it may be able to connect.
Mac
On macOS 13 or later:
- Open the Apple menu and select System Settings.
- Select Network, then Wi-Fi.
- Scroll down and select Advanced.
- Find the network under the known networks list.
- Select the More button beside it.
- Choose Copy Password.
- Authenticate if requested, then paste the value into the new device’s password field or another secure location.
Apple notes that Copy Password may not be available for every network. Its Wi-Fi password guidance and Mac Wi-Fi settings guide cover the current interface.
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- Open Keychain Access using Spotlight.
- Search for the Wi-Fi network name.
- Double-click the matching password item.
- Select Show password.
- Authenticate with the Mac login or keychain password.
Apple documents this general process in its Keychain Access guide.
Android phones
Android’s documented method is to share saved Wi-Fi information with a QR code. Menu names vary by Android version and manufacturer, and some features require Android 12 or later.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Network & internet.
- Tap Internet.
- Select the connected or saved Wi-Fi network.
- Tap Share.
- Authenticate if prompted.
- Have the new device scan the displayed QR code.
Some phones also display the password as readable text, but this is not universal. If no text appears, scan the QR code rather than assuming the password is missing. Google describes this process in its Android Wi-Fi help.
Google Pixel
On a Pixel, use Settings → Network & internet → Internet. Confirm that Wi-Fi is enabled, tap the Settings icon beside the network, and tap Share. Verify your identity if prompted, then let the other device scan the QR code.
You can also open Quick Settings, swipe down, tap Internet, and select Share Wi-Fi. These steps are documented in Google’s Pixel Wi-Fi instructions.
Samsung Galaxy
On supported Galaxy models and software versions:
- Open Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi.
- Tap the Settings icon beside the connected network.
- Tap QR code.
- Have the other device scan the code.
Samsung describes this as a way to share Wi-Fi without manually typing the password. The option’s availability can vary by model, region, and software version; see Samsung’s Galaxy Wi-Fi QR instructions.
Chromebook
Google’s current Chromebook documentation covers viewing known networks, forgetting saved networks, and syncing Wi-Fi networks with another Chromebook or a connected Android phone. It does not document a universal ChromeOS Settings control for revealing every saved Wi-Fi password in plain text.
If a Chromebook is connected, use one of these alternatives:
- Share the network from a connected Android phone.
- Use the router or mesh system’s app or management page.
- Check the ISP account or app.
- Ask the person or organization that manages the network.
A Chromebook with a camera can scan a Wi-Fi QR code and show a connection prompt. Google documents known-network controls in its Chromebook Wi-Fi guide and QR scanning in its QR-code help. These documented limitations should not be interpreted as a guarantee that no particular ChromeOS build or managed tool can reveal a password.
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Linux with NetworkManager
On a Linux system using NetworkManager, open a terminal and run:
nmcli --show-secrets connection show "Your Wi-Fi Name"The command can display stored passwords and other connection secrets. The exact field and output depend on the connection profile and authentication type, so this is not a universal command for every Linux distribution or network stack. The NetworkManager nmcli reference documents --show-secrets. Treat the terminal output as sensitive.
Find the key on the router
Check the router label
If the Wi-Fi password has never been changed, look on the router, gateway, modem/router, mesh primary unit, or setup card for labels such as:
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- Wireless Password
- Network Key
- Wireless Key
- WPA Key or WPA2 Key
- Security Key
- SSID and Password
The label normally shows the factory-default network name and password. It does not update when someone later changes the Wi-Fi password. TP-Link explains this distinction in its Wi-Fi password recovery guidance.
Check that the label belongs to the device broadcasting the SSID you selected. In a modem-plus-router setup, the modem may not provide Wi-Fi at all. In a mesh or access-point setup, the active password may be controlled by the primary router, another access point, or a mobile app rather than the device nearest to you.
Use the router’s management page or app
If the label is wrong because the password was changed, connect to the router using another working Wi-Fi device or an Ethernet cable. A working internet connection is not necessarily required; the management page is normally available over the local connection.
- Connect to the router by Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
- Open the manufacturer’s documented management address or mobile app.
- Sign in with the router administrator credentials.
- Open Wireless, Wi-Fi, Network, or Security settings.
- Find the relevant SSID and password/passphrase field.
- View the current key if the interface permits it, or set a new one.
There is no universal router address. Some TP-Link models use tplinkwifi.net or 192.168.0.1, but those addresses should not be assumed for other brands or networks.
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To find the correct local address instead of guessing:
- Windows: open Command Prompt, run
ipconfig, and look for Default Gateway. Microsoft documentsipconfigin its command reference. - Mac: open Wi-Fi network details and look for the Router field. Apple describes this information in its Mac Wi-Fi settings guide.
The router administrator password is separate from the wireless key. Knowing the Wi-Fi password does not automatically grant access to router settings, and knowing the admin password does not necessarily tell you the current Wi-Fi password.
ISP and mesh-system apps
Internet-provider gateways often use an account app instead of, or in addition to, a generic router webpage. The following are provider-specific examples; labels and eligibility can change.
- Xfinity: In the Xfinity app, open the WiFi details area to view the network name and password. Xfinity notes that newer gateways, WiFi Boost Pods, or WiFi Intelligence configurations may require the app rather than the local Admin Tool. See Xfinity’s Wi-Fi password instructions and advanced settings guidance.
- Verizon Fios: Open My Verizon → Internet → My Networks to view passwords for supported Fios gateways. The unchanged default may also be printed on the router. See Verizon’s Wi-Fi password help.
- AT&T: The gateway label contains the default Wi-Fi information. If the credentials were changed, use the gateway settings or AT&T Smart Home Manager. See AT&T’s Wi-Fi information guide.
- Google Nest Wifi or Google Wifi: In Google Home, open Home → Wi-Fi → Share password. Google documents this in its Nest Wifi and Google Wifi help.
If no device is connected and the label does not work
Follow these recovery options in order, from least disruptive to most disruptive:
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- Check setup materials. Look at the router card, installation paperwork, password manager, or ISP account.
- Connect by Ethernet. Use a computer connected directly to the router, then open the router’s management page or app.
- Change the Wi-Fi password. If you can sign in as the router administrator, setting a new key is often easier than recovering the old one. Reconnect every device afterward.
- Factory-reset the router only as a last resort. Confirm the exact model’s reset procedure and any ISP requirements first.
A factory reset can erase the custom SSID and Wi-Fi password, internet-connection settings, port forwarding, parental controls, guest networks, mesh configuration, and other settings. It may disconnect every device and require the network to be configured again. TP-Link warns that a reset erases custom settings, including internet configuration, and Xfinity similarly warns that resetting a gateway disconnects devices and requires reconnection. Do not reset a router merely because the label password failed.
If the missing credential is the router administrator password, not the Wi-Fi password, check whether the manufacturer or ISP offers account-based recovery. Some routers provide no recovery route and require a factory reset. TP-Link describes this limitation for supported models in its forgotten router-login-password guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshooting an incorrect network security key
The password on the label is rejected
The label usually contains factory defaults, so the most likely explanation is that someone changed the Wi-Fi password. Other possibilities include:
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- You selected a different SSID, such as a neighbor’s network or the guest network.
- You are looking at a modem label instead of the active wireless router.
- The router uses different credentials for the main, guest, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz networks.
- A character was misread, or the password was entered with the wrong capitalization.
- A mesh system has a separate setup card or primary unit that controls the network.
Compare the selected network name with the SSID shown on the router or in the router app. If the password was changed, use a connected device or the admin page to obtain or replace the current one.
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A connected device reveals a password that does not work
The saved credential may be old. A phone or computer can continue connecting because it has been updated, while the password it displays is no longer the router’s current key. Forget the network on the new device and join it again with the current password. On Apple devices, Apple specifically recommends forgetting and rejoining when the saved password is outdated; Android also supports forgetting a saved network through its network settings.
The phone shows a QR code but no password
That is normal on some Android versions and manufacturer interfaces. Google documents QR-code sharing, not a guarantee that every phone will show readable password text. Scan the code with the new device, another compatible phone, or a Chromebook camera instead of looking for text beneath it.
The network is public
Hotels, airports, libraries, restaurants, and similar locations may use an open or shared network followed by a browser-based captive portal. In that case there may be no reusable network security key. Join the correct SSID, wait for the sign-in page, and use the access code or account supplied by the venue. A Wi-Fi password may be only one part of the process.
The network belongs to a business or school
Enterprise Wi-Fi often uses WPA-Enterprise/802.1X authentication. It may require an organization username, password, certificate, or managed profile rather than one household passphrase. Contact the organization’s IT or network administrator rather than attempting to extract or bypass credentials.
You are connecting to a phone hotspot
If the selected SSID is created by a phone, find its separate hotspot credential. On an iPhone, check Settings → Personal Hotspot. On Android, look under Hotspot & tethering or the equivalent network settings. This password is unrelated to the home router’s Wi-Fi key.
An older device cannot connect after WPA3 was enabled
Some older phones, printers, televisions, and smart-home devices do not support WPA3. Check the router and device documentation. If supported, a WPA2/WPA3 transition mode can allow older compatible devices to connect while retaining stronger protection for newer ones. Do not switch to an open network or legacy WEP merely to make an old device work. NIST recommends WPA2 or WPA3 and a password that is not easy to guess; CISA recommends disabling legacy WEP and WPA modes where possible. See the NIST home-network guidance and CISA wireless-security guidance.
The network name is hidden
A hidden SSID still has a security key, but you must know the exact network name and security type. Enter the SSID manually and select the correct WPA security option. Google’s Android instructions include a hidden-network option for entering these details.
The router is in bridge or access-point mode
In a modem-plus-router, mesh, or access-point arrangement, the device with the label may not be managing the Wi-Fi security settings. Identify which device or app broadcasts the SSID you selected. That is the device whose label, admin page, or account app is relevant.
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- Replace a default password. A key printed on the router is convenient but may be known to anyone who can access the label. Change it if it is still the factory default.
- Use WPA3 where compatible. If older equipment needs access, use a documented WPA2/WPA3 transition option rather than WEP or an open network.
- Choose a long, unique passphrase. Avoid names, addresses, phone numbers, and other easy-to-guess information. NIST recommends a Wi-Fi password that is not easily guessed.
- Store it in a password manager. This avoids repeatedly photographing or printing the key.
- Use a guest network. Visitors and untrusted smart-home devices do not necessarily need access to the main network.
- Protect QR codes. A Wi-Fi QR code can provide network access, so do not post it publicly or leave it where unauthorized people can scan it.
- Remember the impact of changing it. Every phone, computer, printer, camera, console, and smart-home device must reconnect with the new key.
Quick recovery checklist
- Confirm that “network security key” means the Wi-Fi password for your type of network.
- Verify the SSID you selected.
- Use a connected Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Android device if one is available.
- Otherwise check the router’s default label, ISP app, mesh app, or setup card.
- If necessary, connect to the router by Ethernet and change the key from its management page.
- Use the exact capitalization and symbols.
- Do not confuse the Wi-Fi key with the router admin password, WPS PIN, hotspot password, or captive-portal login.
- Factory-reset only after confirming the consequences and the model-specific recovery process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the network security key the same as the router password?
Usually it is the same as the Wi-Fi password, not the router administrator password. The Wi-Fi key lets a device join the network; the administrator password lets you change router settings.
Can I find a Wi-Fi password without resetting the router?
Yes. Check a connected device, the router label, the router or mesh app, or the ISP app. If the password was changed, connect by Ethernet and use the router’s management page to view or replace it. Resetting should be a last resort.
Why does my Android phone show only a QR code?
Android and manufacturer interfaces do not all display the password as plain text. Google’s supported sharing method is to authenticate and let the new device scan the QR code.
What should I do if I forgot the router administrator password?
Check for manufacturer- or ISP-account recovery first. Some routers provide no recovery option and require a factory reset, which can erase internet and network settings. Follow the exact instructions for your router model.
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The Bottom Line
In most homes, the network security key is simply the Wi-Fi password. Start with a connected device—especially Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi → Properties → Show on Windows 11. If that is unavailable, check the router or ISP app, then use an Ethernet connection to change the key. Avoid a factory reset until every non-destructive recovery option has failed.
