How to find your Wi-Fi password on Mac

Complete guide with multiple methods and troubleshooting

7-10 min read
Expert Verified
Last Updated: August 2025

Quick Answer

To find your Wi-Fi password on a Mac, you can use the Keychain Access application or the Terminal. Both methods allow you to view saved passwords for your Wi-Fi networks, provided you have the necessary permissions.

Easy⏱ 7-10 min read

Prerequisites & Requirements

Before you begin, ensure you meet the following requirements:
  • •A Mac running macOS (version-specific instructions are included below).
  • •Administrator access to the Mac to view saved passwords.
  • •Basic understanding of navigating macOS applications.
  • •No important data needs to be backed up specifically for this task.

Method 1: Using Keychain Access

This method is the most straightforward for retrieving your Wi-Fi password if you have previously connected to the network.
  • •Step 1: Open 'Finder' and navigate to 'Applications'.
  • •Step 2: Open the 'Utilities' folder and double-click on 'Keychain Access'.
  • •Step 3: In the Keychain Access window, ensure 'login' is selected in the left sidebar under 'Keychains'.
  • •Step 4: In the search bar at the top right, type the name of your Wi-Fi network.
  • •Step 5: Double-click on the network name from the search results.
  • •Step 6: In the new window, check the box next to 'Show password'.
  • •Step 7: Enter your Mac's administrator username and password when prompted.
  • •Step 8: Your Wi-Fi password will now be displayed in the 'Show password' field.
  • •Step 9: If it doesn't work, ensure you have the correct permissions and try again.

For macOS Ventura and later

The steps remain largely the same, but the interface may have slight visual changes.
  • •Step 1: Open 'Finder' and navigate to 'Applications'.
  • •Step 2: Open 'Utilities' and select 'Keychain Access'.
  • •Step 3: Use the search bar to find your Wi-Fi network as described above.

For macOS Monterey and earlier

The steps are identical, but the layout may differ slightly in terms of button placements.
  • •Step 1: Open 'Finder' and navigate to 'Applications'.
  • •Step 2: Open 'Utilities' and select 'Keychain Access'.
  • •Step 3: Search for your Wi-Fi network and follow the same steps.

Method 2: Using Terminal

This method is useful for users comfortable with command-line interfaces.
  • •Step 1: Open 'Finder' and navigate to 'Applications'.
  • •Step 2: Open the 'Utilities' folder and double-click on 'Terminal'.
  • •Step 3: Type the following command, replacing 'YourNetworkName' with your actual Wi-Fi network name: `security find-generic-password -ga 'YourNetworkName' | grep 'password'`.
  • •Step 4: Press 'Enter'.
  • •Step 5: If prompted, enter your Mac's administrator username and password.
  • •Step 6: The Wi-Fi password will be displayed after 'password:'.
  • •Step 7: Verify that the command executed correctly by checking for any error messages.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter issues while trying to find your Wi-Fi password, consider the following solutions:
  • •Error: 'Access denied' - Solution: Ensure you are logged in as an administrator.
  • •Issue: 'Network not found' - Fix: Check if you are connected to the correct Wi-Fi network.
  • •Problem: 'Command not found' in Terminal - Workaround: Ensure you typed the command correctly and check for typos.

Advanced Tips & Shortcuts

Enhance your experience with these power user tips:
  • •Keyboard shortcut: Command + Space - Opens Spotlight Search for quick access to applications.
  • •Command line: `security list-keychains` - Lists all keychains available on your Mac.
  • •Hidden feature: Use the Keychain Access app to manage all saved passwords, not just Wi-Fi.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common pitfalls:

Expert Tips

Using Keychain Access is the most user-friendly approach for most users, especially for those unfamiliar with Terminal.