Have you ever scrambled to give a dinner guest access to your Wi-Fi network only to realize you have no idea what the password is? You‘re not alone – a 2018 survey found that nearly one in three people have no clue what their current Wi-Fi password is at any given time.
Misplaced Wi-Fi passwords can limit access and productivity. Thankfully, Mac users have an advantage when it comes to rediscovering their credentials.
In this guide, we‘ll explore five methods to easily uncover hidden Wi-Fi passwords on your Mac, arming you with the connection knowledge you need.
Overview of Wi-Fi Password Finding Methods
Before diving into the step-by-step instructions, let‘s briefly compare the key methods for finding Wi-Fi passwords using the visual data table below:
| Method | Pro | Con |
|---|---|---|
| Copy from Wi-Fi Menu | Quickest access | Only shows current network |
| View in System Settings | Works on old OS versions | More clicks required |
| Reveal in Terminal | Lightning fast results | Risk of mistakes |
| Search Keychain Access | Retrieves old passwords | Must enable Keychain first |
| Share Wi-Fi Password | Directly sends to user | User must have Apple device |
As you can see, most options only take a few quick steps with the major tradeoffs being whether old inactive networks can be viewed and risks of human error. Now, let‘s explore step-by-step how to leverage each method.
Method 1: Copy Wi-Fi Password From Wi-Fi Menu
If you‘re currently connected to the Wi-Fi network whose password you need, the fastest way to grab the password is through the Wi-Fi menu directly:
Click the Wi-Fi icon in the top menu bar and select Wi-Fi Settings.
Under the list of detected networks, locate your network name and click the three-dot more options icon on the right.
Select Copy Password from the dropdown menu.
Open Notes or any app and press CMD + V to paste the password.
This will instantly copy the password so you can conveniently paste to share via email or messaging in just seconds. It doesn‘t get much easier than that!
However, one catch is that this only shows the password of whatever current Wi-Fi network you‘re actively connected to at that moment. But don‘t worry, if you need credentials from a previously used network, we have you covered in the steps ahead.
Method 2: Find Password in System Settings
If the above option didn‘t work or your Mac runs on an older OS X version, retrieving the password through System Settings serves as a reliable fallback method:
Click the Apple icon in the top toolbar > System Preferences > Network > Select Wi-Fi on the left.
Under the network name list, click the more options icon next to your target network name and choose Copy Password.
You can then paste this password anywhere needed with CMD + V.
Keep in mind that like method 1, this also only shows the password of your currently connected Wi-Fi network. So if you need credentials from a network you‘re no longer using, we‘ll cover how to resurrect that next.
Method 3: Use Terminal to Reveal Password
While the Terminal may seem intimidating, it actually offers the absolute fastest way to instantly show your current Wi-Fi network password. However, accuracy is critical for success here.
This method will fail completely if there are any typographical errors, so please check and double check your entry.
Here are the steps:
Launch Spotlight (CMD + Spacebar) and type Terminal, hitting Return.
Now very carefully type the following command with 100% precise spacing, capitalization, your network name, and special characters:
security find-generic-password -ga HOMEWiFi1234 | grep "password:"When prompted for permission, input your full Mac admin username and password.
The actual Wi-Fi password will then appear instantly below!
As long as you meticulously type that command matching your network‘s name exactly, the Terminal will immediately supply the password – it‘s incredible.
However, a single wrong letter or blank space anywhere and it will unfortunately fail. But the payoff of perfectly typing it is well worth the effort and care.
Method 4: Uncover Passwords with Keychain Access
If you need to access passwords from old Wi-Fi networks that your Mac is no longer connected to, the Keychain Access utility is exactly what you need.
The Keychain stores all your Wi-Fi network names and passwords, allowing you to search for and reveal credentials both active and inactive.
However, Keychain‘s password storage must be enabled ahead of time:
- Click the Apple icon > System Preferences > [Your Account Name] > Check the Keychain password storage box > Type admin password to enable.
Once enabled, here‘s how to access your stored Wi-Fi passwords:
Launch Spotlight and type Keychain Access, hitting Return to open the app.
Click inside the search bar at the top right and type your target network name.
A list of network results will appear – double-click the one you want the password for.
Tick the Show Password box in the network details screen, and type your Mac password to permit access.
The Wi-Fi password will then fully appear!
This gives you a searchable password vault providing access to any stored credentials whether actively connected or not – incredibly useful.
Method 5: Share Wi-Fi Password From Mac
Once you finally uncover the password, Mac users also have the special ability to directly beam Wi-Fi credentials to another Apple device user:
First enable Wi-Fi password sharing in System Preferences > Sharing menu.
Next, go to your Mac‘s Wi-Fi Settings, select your network, and click Copy Password.
On their Apple device, when the user navigates to your network name the option to share password will automatically prompt!
This allows securely sharing the password to their device without anyone having to manually type or even view the actual password – quite convenient.
Still Can‘t Access the Password?
Hopefully by now, one of the above methods has successfully revealed your long lost Wi-Fi credentials. However if you still find yourself locked out, try double checking that Keychain is enabled, you‘re typing Terminal accurately down to every last character, or connecting directly to that Wi-Fi network if copying.
Additionally, most router equipment has a reset button that will restore the original Wi-Fi network names and passwords. Or you can always contact your internet provider or Apple support for personal assistance – they can almost always recover or reset your vital network access.
Now before anyone else in your household realizes the Wi-Fi is down, quickly unleash one of these Mac password recovery tools to comfortably regain that Wi-Fi password once and for all!
Let me know if any part of these Wi-Fi finding tips needs further clarification. I know firsthand how frustrating spotty internet access can be. Hopefully this guide has empowered you to fully take control of your Mac‘s Wi-Fi password destiny.
