Wi-Fi

Find a saved Wi-Fi password on a Mac

The Mac stores the password of each Wi-Fi network that it joins. You can see it, copy it or share it after you authenticate.

Applies to: The Passwords app is in macOS 15 Sequoia and later. Copy Password in System Settings is in macOS 13 Ventura and later.Checked: 29 October 2026

Symptoms

  • A guest asks for the Wi-Fi password, and you do not remember it.
  • You must enter the password on a new device.
  • You want to share the network without saying the password.

Likely causes

  • The password is in the keychain. macOS saves Wi-Fi passwords, so you do not see them during normal use.
  • Authentication is necessary. macOS asks for your password or Touch ID before it shows a saved password.

How to check

  1. Open the Passwords app. Click Wi-Fi in the sidebar.

  2. If the sidebar is hidden, click the Sidebar button.

  3. Select the network. The current network shows at the top.

How to fix it

  1. To see the password, hold the pointer over the dots next to Password.

  2. To copy the password, click the dots.

  3. To share with a QR code, click Show Network QR Code. The other person scans it with a phone.

  4. On macOS 13 and later, you can also open System Settings > Wi-Fi. Click the More button next to a known network.

  5. Then choose Copy Password. This option is not available for some networks.

  6. To share with a nearby contact, keep the Mac unlocked and on the network. Click Share Password when the Mac asks.

With Kilobat

  1. Show a saved password. macOS asks you first.

    kilobat wifi password "Home"

  2. Show the password and a QR code to scan with a phone.

    kilobat wifi share "Home"

  3. In the Kilobat Wi-Fi menu, use Show saved password… or Share network… These are free. See Share Wi-Fi with a QR code.

Questions

Why does the Mac not show the password at once?

macOS protects saved passwords. You must authenticate first.

Can I find the password of an enterprise network?

Networks that use 802.1X sign in with an account, not one shared password.

Sources

Sources checked on 29 October 2026. Man pages are the ones installed with macOS; open one with man <name> in Terminal.