In most cases, people can find out their Wi-Fi network's password quite easily, especially in the case of home routers which allow for the password to be changed through a software interface, or for some routers from Internet providers, printed on the side of the networking device. There are two main useful methods introduced to you here to find and recover WiFi password on your Mac. One is to retrieve WiFi password directly on your Mac device. Another is to recover the WiFi password with the help of powerful third-party software. Read the following steps of those methods and choose the suitable one for yourself to find. Video learning. This video will show you how to find Wifi password on Mac. Please like and subscribe my video. Here is how to find any Wi-Fi password on Mac. Open Keychain access app. You will find it in the Utilities folder in the Applications. Now select system keychain which is present in the left menu bar.
Did you know that you can easily find your wireless internet password on your Mac computer? It’s very simple. You do not need to download third-party software or perform any tedious tasks, all you need is your administrator name and password for Mac OS X.
Mac Operating Systems have a utility application called “Keychain Access” (pictured above) that allows users to perform a wide variety of tasks and modify network and privacy settings. From the Mac OS X Keychain Access utility app users can view their wireless password.
To find your wifi password on your Mac computer please follow the comprehensive guide below to open the Mac OS X Keychain Access utility application.
1. Open Finder, click Applications on the left panel, and open the Utilities folder.
2. In the Utilities folder locate the Keychain Access application represented by a key-chain icon and click it to open it.
3. The Keychain Access application will now appear. In the list (Keychains > System), locate your wireless internet name and double click it to open the next window.
4. A new window will appear that contains information about your wireless network such as the name, kind, account, location, and comments. At the bottom of this window there is a radio box that says Show password:.
5. Check the radio box next to Show password:. A small widow will now appear that says Keychain Access wants to make changes and will ask for your username and password. Please enter your name and password and click OK.
6. Another window asking for your username and password may appear that says “OS X wants to make changes” (pictured above step 5). Enter your username and password again, and click Allow. *If this window does not appear you may be able to view your password on the previous window where you checked the “Show password:” radio box.
6. You are now able to view your wifi password on the previous window where you checked the “Show password:” radio button. *This will be found under the Attributes section, not the Access Control Section, and your wireless password be located at the bottom (circled in the picture above). Please note, you do not need to click the Save Changes button, you may simply close each window.
“Hey, can I have your Wifi password?”
“Yea sure, it’s… umm…”
Sound familiar?
Well, if you are like me and often invite your friends over, you know that the very first thing they’ll ask isn’t where the bathroom is, but for the Wifi password. Sometimes, you just have so many passwords to remember that there is simply no more space in your mind for your Wifi password. Usually, the password can be found on the router, but that often requires digging into that dusty hidden corner to find the device.
Well, guess what? Today, I am going to show you two ways to find the Wifi password on your Mac without crawling under your desk to look for the router.
Note: this guide is for Mac users. If you are on a PC, see how to view saved Wi-Fi password on Windows 10. Some screenshots below are blurred for the purposes of privacy and information protection.
Method 1: Keychain Access on Mac
Keychain Access is a macOS app that stores all your passwords so that you don’t have to remember them. If you know your Mac’s administrator password, then you can view your Wifi password, which is automatically stored in Keychain.
Step 1: Launch Keychain.
First, open the Keychain app. You can launch it through SpotlightSearch.
Step 2: Go to Passwords.
Click on System, and then click on Passwords under Categories.
Locate the name of the network you want to access and open it.
Step 3: Click Show Password.
Step 4: Authenticate.
You’ll be prompted for authentication. Simply fill in your Username and Password.
If you’re not sure what your Username is, you can locate it by clicking on the Apple icon on the top-left of your screen.
Step 5: View and Show Password.
Your password can be viewed in the box beside the “Show Password” button.
Method 2: Terminal on Mac
Terminal is a built-in app on your Mac that allows you to control your Mac using command prompts. This method is for those of you who prefer a direct solution and know the exact name of the Wifi network in question.
Step 1: Launch Terminal.
First, launch Terminal using Spotlight Search.
Step 2: Type Command.
Key in the following command:
security find-generic-password -ga WIFI NAME | grep “password:”
Replace the WIFI NAME section with the exact name of the network you want the password for.
Step 3: Authenticate.
Once you have entered the command correctly, you will be prompted to key in your Username and Password.
As mentioned before, if you are not sure what your Username is, simply click on the Apple icon on the top-left corner of your screen.
Step 4: Password is shown.
After you have authenticated, your password will be shown just below the command you have previously entered.
Now, you no longer have to take that long walk to the router.
Hint: Use a Password Manager
If you find yourself forgetting your Wifi password all the time, and even the above two methods are a hassle, here’s a recommendation:
Use a third-party password management app!
Third party password management software remembers your passwords for you so that you don’t have to. It’s like Keychain, but some password applications offer additional features you won’t find in Keychain. One such app is 1Password.
With 1Password, you literally just need one master password. All other passwords are stored within it.
Find Wifi Password On Mac
1Password has multiple features that are very useful including Sidebar, 1Password mini, Vaults, and more. Descriptions for each of these features are shown in the images below.
That’s all! I hope you’ve found this article helpful.
Tell Me My Wifi Password
Now you no longer have to crawl to that dusty corner where your Internet router is located every time your friends come over. Simply locate the password manually on your Mac computer or outsource it and get third-party software to do it for you.