How to Find WiFi Password on Mac (Saved Networks)

This guide shows you how to recover a saved Wi-Fi password on your Mac using the built-in Keychain Access utility. You’ll need your Mac’s login password (the one you use to unlock the computer) and the name of the Wi-Fi network whose password you want to reveal. The steps work on macOS Ventura, Sonoma, and Sequoia.

What You’ll Need

• Your Mac’s admin username and login password
• The exact name of the Wi-Fi network (SSID) you want the password for
• Access to the Keychain Access app (pre-installed on all Macs)

Step-by-Step

1. Open Keychain Access. Click the Spotlight search icon (magnifying glass) in the top-right corner of your screen, type Keychain Access, and press Return. Alternatively, go to Applications → Utilities → Keychain Access.
2. Select the login keychain. In the left sidebar of the Keychain Access window, click login under “Keychains.” This is where your personal saved Wi-Fi passwords are stored.
3. Filter for Wi-Fi entries. In the search box at the top-right of the window, type the name of the Wi-Fi network you need the password for. If you don’t remember the exact name, type “AirPort” or “Wi-Fi” to see all saved network entries.
4. Locate the network entry. Look through the list for an item whose Name matches your Wi-Fi network’s SSID and whose Kind is “AirPort network password.” Double-click that entry to open its details window.
5. Check the “Show password” box. In the pop-up window, tick the checkbox next to Show password. A dialog will appear asking for your Mac’s login credentials.
6. Authenticate. Enter your Mac’s username (if not pre-filled) and your login password, then click Allow or Always Allow. The password field will now display the Wi-Fi password in plain text.
7. Copy or note it down. Select the revealed password, copy it with Command+C, and paste it where you need it. Close the window when done.

Common Mistakes

• Looking in the wrong keychain. If you select “System” instead of “login,” you may not see your personal saved networks. Always start with the login keychain.
• Typing the wrong network name. Wi-Fi names are case-sensitive. If you mistype the SSID in the search box, you won’t find the entry. Try searching for just a few letters of the name.
• Forgetting the login password. You cannot reveal a saved Wi-Fi password without your Mac’s admin login password. If you’ve forgotten it, you’ll need to reset it via Apple ID or Recovery Mode first.
• Assuming the password is the same as the router’s default. The saved password is whatever was entered when you first joined the network — it may have been changed since the router’s factory default.
• Clicking “Deny” accidentally. If you click Deny on the authentication prompt, the password stays hidden. Just repeat step 6 and click Allow.

Tips

• Use Spotlight for speed. Press Command+Space, type “Keychain Access,” and hit Return — it’s faster than navigating through Applications.
• Sort the list. Click the “Kind” column header in Keychain Access to group all AirPort entries together, making it easier to scan for your network.
• Check if you’re already connected. If your Mac is currently connected to the network, you can also see the password via System Settings → Wi-Fi → Details → Password (macOS Ventura and later), but that only works for the network you’re on right now.
• Export the entry. If you need to share the password with multiple devices, you can right-click the entry in Keychain Access and choose “Export” to save it as a .keychain file — but this requires an admin password and is less convenient than just copying the text.
• Remember the keychain can hold more than Wi-Fi. The same method works for saved website passwords, app passwords, and other credentials stored in your login keychain.

Troubleshooting

The network isn’t in the list. This means your Mac has never connected to that network with this user account, or the entry was deleted. You can’t recover a password that isn’t stored locally. Connect to the network again (entering the password manually) and it will be saved for future retrieval.

Keychain Access says “Keychain is locked.” Click the lock icon at the top-left of the Keychain Access window and enter your login password to unlock it. If it still won’t unlock, restart your Mac and try again.

The password field shows dots but no text after authenticating. This can happen if the entry is corrupted. Delete the entry (right-click → Delete), reconnect to the Wi-Fi network by entering the password again, and the new entry should display correctly.

You get “The item is damaged” or “Keychain is corrupted.” Open Keychain Access, go to Keychain Access → Keychain First Aid, enter your password, and click Start. This repairs common issues. If that fails, you may need to create a new login keychain (which will lose all saved passwords).

You’re on a managed or work Mac. If your Mac is enrolled in an organization’s MDM (mobile device management), the admin may have restricted Keychain Access. In that case, you won’t be able to reveal passwords — contact your IT department instead.

macOS asks for a keychain password instead of your login password. This happens when the keychain has a separate password set. Try your login password first; if that fails, think of any older passwords you may have used for this Mac. If you can’t recall it, you may need to reset the keychain (which deletes all saved passwords).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see the Wi-Fi password without admin rights? No. Revealing a saved Wi-Fi password requires your Mac’s login password, which is an admin credential. Standard (non-admin) accounts cannot view these entries.

Will this work for a network I’m not currently connected to? Yes, as long as your Mac has connected to that network at least once in the past and the entry hasn’t been manually deleted, it will be in Keychain Access regardless of your current connection status.

Does this work on Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) Macs? Yes, the Keychain Access method is identical on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs. No special steps are needed.

Can I use Terminal instead of the GUI? Yes. Open Terminal and type security find-generic-password -wa "YourNetworkName" (replace with the actual SSID). You’ll be prompted for your login password, then the Wi-Fi password prints to the terminal. This is faster for advanced users.

What if I never connected to the network on this Mac? Then the password isn’t stored anywhere on this Mac. You’ll need to get it from the router’s admin page (if you have access) or from whoever set up the network.

Is it legal to recover a Wi-Fi password this way? Yes, for networks you own or have permission to use. Using this method to gain access to someone else’s network without authorization is not legal. Only use this for your own networks or those you’re allowed to join.

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