How to see a Wi-Fi password on Mac using Keychain Access or the Mac Terminal

Macbook Air — It's easy to find your Wi-Fi password on a Mac computer if it's saved to your Mac through Keychain Access.
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The easiest way to see a Wi-Fi password on a Mac computer is through the Keychain Access app.
Alternatively, saved Wi-Fi passwords can be viewed through the Terminal on Mac.
Seeing saved Wi-Fi passwords only work when you've connected to the network in the past.
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Maybe you just got a new Apple device, or maybe you have that one house guest who routinely asks for your Wi-Fi password before saying hello. Whatever the situation, Apple makes it easy to find saved Wi-Fi passwords.

Being able to look up Wi-Fi passwords is useful if you're connected to a specific Wi-Fi network, but need the password to log into another device. On the other hand, it can help you log into previously connected networks a lot quicker. That coffee shop down the street? You won't have to ask the barista for the Wi-Fi password again.

There are two ways you can find your Wi-Fi password on Mac. The first - through the Keychain Access app - is the easier route. The second way - by opening up the Terminal on Mac - is a little more advanced.

Either way, if you previously connected to Wi-Fi - your home network included - the process is simple and straightforward. Here's how to get it done.

How to find a Wi-Fi password with Keychain Access

Keychain Access is a macOS app that stores your passwords, and it's the easiest way to see a Wi-Fi password on Mac:

1. Press Command + Spacebar to open the Spotlight search bar, where you can type in "Keychain Access."

wifi password mac 1 — Open Keychain Access on your Mac computer.
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2. Click to open Keychain Access. Here, you'll be able to find saved passwords to applications as well as internet forms.

wifi password mac 2 — You can see your saved passwords with Keychain Access.
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3. In the left toolbar, toggle down to the "Passwords" section.

4. In the search bar (located in the upper right corner of the window), type in your home Wi-Fi network name, or whatever Wi-Fi network you're looking for.

wifi password mac 3 — Use the search bar to find the network you're looking for.
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5. Double-click on your network when it appears in the main section of the window - this will prompt another window to open.

wifi password mac 4 — Click on "Show Password."
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6. Tick the box next to "Show Password" and, if necessary, enter your administrator password when prompted.

wifi password mac 5 — Be sure to have your administrator credentials handy.
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7. Your Wi-Fi password will then appear in the box next to "Show Password."

wifi password mac 6 — For security reasons, administrator credentials are required.
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How to find a Wi-Fi password with Terminal on Mac

The Mac Terminal is a command line system that gives you greater control of the operating system. It's also the more advanced way to find a saved Wi-Fi password:

wifi password terminal 1 — Open the Terminal by using the Spotlight search bar.
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1. There are several ways to open the Terminal on Mac, but the easiest is through the Spotlight search bar. Press Command + Spacebar and type in "Terminal." Click through to enter your Mac's Terminal.

2. Once you enter the Terminal, type the command as outlined below, replacing "Wi-Fi name" with the exact name of your network:

security find-generic-password -ga "Wi-Fi name" | grep "password:"

terminal step 2 — Include the quotes around the Wi-Fi network name.
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3. An administrator login window will pop up. Enter your username and password.

terminal step 3 — For security reasons, administrator credentials are required.
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4. Your password should appear below the command you previously entered.

terminal steo 4 — Upon successful authentication, the Wi-Fi password will appear.
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We should also note that beyond Keychain Access and your Mac's Terminal, Apple also makes it easy to share a Wi-Fi password with other Apple devices - as long as both devices are in range with each other.