Where Can I See My Wi-Fi Password On My Laptop? | Fast How-To

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On Windows, Mac, Chromebook, and Linux laptops, you can reveal saved Wi-Fi passwords via Settings, Keychain, or terminal with admin access.

Lost the Wi-Fi passphrase but your notebook still connects? Good news: the key is stored on the device. This guide walks you through the exact places to view it on Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, and Linux, plus safe ways to share it and pitfalls to avoid.

Where To View Your Saved Wi-Fi Password On A Laptop (Quick Map)

  • Windows 11/10: Settings or Control Panel shows the passphrase. A command also works.
  • macOS: Keychain Access reveals the saved network key; Terminal can print it.
  • Chromebook: No simple toggle to show it; use your router page, another device, or advanced shell steps.
  • Linux (NetworkManager): nmcli can display the stored PSK for a known network.

Windows: Two Easy Ways

Method 1 — Settings In Windows 11

  1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi.
  2. Click your current network, then open Properties.
  3. Next to Wi-Fi network password, choose Show. You can also reveal passwords for saved networks from Manage known networks and pick a network → Show.

Microsoft documents these steps in its Windows help page; the process includes a QR option for quick sharing. See Connect to a Wi-Fi network in Windows.

Method 2 — Control Panel (Windows 11/10)

  1. Press Windows key, type Control Panel, and open it.
  2. Go to Network and Sharing Center → click your Wi-Fi link.
  3. Select Wireless Properties → Security tab → check Show characters.

Method 3 — Command Prompt (All Saved Networks)

Use this when you need the key for a network you connected to in the past:

netsh wlan show profiles
netsh wlan show profile name="YOUR_SSID" key=clear

Run Command Prompt as admin. Replace YOUR_SSID with the network name. Look for Key Content. If you use Windows Terminal, PowerShell works the same way with the same command.

macOS: Keychain Or Terminal

Method 1 — Keychain Access (Works On Ventura/Sonoma And Older)

  1. Open Keychain Access (Applications → Utilities).
  2. In the sidebar, pick System (or login if you saved it there), then choose the Passwords category.
  3. Search for your network name (SSID) and double-click it.
  4. Tick Show password, authenticate with your Mac login, then read the passphrase.

Apple covers Wi-Fi password help and case sensitivity here: If you need help with your Wi-Fi password.

Method 2 — Terminal (One-liner)

Replace YOUR_SSID with the network name:

security find-generic-password -wa "YOUR_SSID"

The command prompts for your login before printing the key. If multiple entries exist, include the Keychain location by opening the item in Keychain Access and copying the exact name.

Chromebook: What Actually Works

ChromeOS does not provide a plain “eye” toggle to show a stored Wi-Fi key in standard user mode. Practical paths:

  • Check another device that’s already connected (Windows or Mac can reveal it), then share it back to your Chromebook.
  • Open your router’s web page from the Chromebook and read the network key in the wireless settings page. Most home routers display it after admin login.
  • Advanced users can use the shell on ChromeOS to decode stored credentials, but this involves powerwash or developer steps. If you’re not comfortable with system internals, stick to the router method.

Tip: Newer Android phones show a Wi-Fi QR code; scan it on the Chromebook camera to join without typing.

Linux (NetworkManager): One Command Reveals The PSK

Most desktop distributions use NetworkManager. You can print the saved passphrase for a known connection with the CLI. First, list connections:

nmcli -t -f NAME,UUID,TYPE con show

Then show a specific network’s key (both forms work):

# by name
nmcli --show-secrets --fields 802-11-wireless.ssid,802-11-wireless-security.psk con show "YOUR_SSID"

# or by UUID
nmcli --show-secrets --fields 802-11-wireless.ssid,802-11-wireless-security.psk con show YOUR_UUID

The official CLI reference describes these flags and fields; see nmcli — NetworkManager reference. If your distro stores connections in files, the key may appear as psk= in /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/*.nmconnection (root required).

What You Need Before You Start

  • Admin rights on the computer. Windows, macOS, and Linux prompt for elevation when revealing stored secrets.
  • Access to a user session that previously joined the network. If this device never connected, use the router page or another device.
  • Exact network name if you’re using command-line methods. Case matters.

Privacy-Safe Ways To Share The Key

  • Use QR codes when available (Windows shows one on the same screen as the password; many Android phones can generate one).
  • Copy briefly and paste once. Clear the clipboard after sending.
  • Avoid screenshots of passwords in chat threads. Send a QR code or a one-time message that you delete.

When The Password Still Won’t Show

If you can’t reveal the passphrase on the laptop, try these quick checks:

  • You’re not on the right profile: Company laptops may hide or wipe secrets. Use the router page or ask IT.
  • You switched SSIDs: Many routers broadcast a 2.4 GHz and a 5 GHz name. You might be viewing the other one.
  • Credential migrated to a different keychain/profile: On macOS, look in both login and System keychains.
  • Device joined by WPS or a profile push: Some setups never store a human-readable PSK. The router page is the fallback.
  • Chromebook in managed mode: Admin policies can block access. Check the Admin Console owner or the network owner.

Quick Security Housekeeping

  • Change the factory router password (admin login, not the Wi-Fi key) if it’s still default.
  • Prefer WPA2-AES or WPA3. Old WEP or WPA-TKIP weakens your network.
  • Store the passphrase in a password manager so you don’t need to dig for it next time.

Fast Paths By System (Skim-Friendly)

System Where To Look Admin Needed
Windows 11/10 Settings → Wi-Fi → Properties → Show; or Control Panel → Security tab Yes
macOS Keychain Access → System/login → Passwords → Show password Yes
Linux nmcli --show-secrets for a known connection Often

Copy-Paste Commands You Can Run

Windows (Command Prompt Or Windows Terminal)

# list all saved Wi-Fi profiles
netsh wlan show profiles

# reveal the password for one network
netsh wlan show profile name="YOUR_SSID" key=clear

macOS (Terminal)

# print the Wi-Fi password stored in Keychain
security find-generic-password -wa "YOUR_SSID"

Linux (NetworkManager)

# list saved connections
nmcli -t -f NAME,UUID,TYPE con show

# show SSID and passphrase for one connection by name
nmcli --show-secrets --fields 802-11-wireless.ssid,802-11-wireless-security.psk con show "YOUR_SSID"

Smart Workflows For Common Scenarios

  • New phone needs Wi-Fi: On Windows, open the network’s Properties page, scan the QR code on the phone, and you’re done.
  • Mac can’t find the key: Open Keychain Access, search the SSID, check the box to reveal it, authenticate, and copy.
  • Linux desktop already joined last month: Use the two nmcli commands above to print the PSK and paste it to another device.
  • Chromebook won’t show it: Log in to the router page from the Chromebook and read the wireless settings, or reveal the key on a Windows/Mac machine and share by QR.

FAQ-Free Clarifications

  • Do I need internet to view it? No. You only need local access and the device’s stored profile.
  • Why do some screens show dots instead of letters? That’s the mask; the Show button reveals the real text after you authenticate.
  • Are QR codes safe? They encode the same string you’d type. Keep the image private.