That said, did you just forget your WiFi password and want to find it out without resetting your router? Well, do not worry, we’ve got your back. Here’s a detailed guide on how to recover Wi-Fi passwords on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
First things first
Firstly try to remember if you have used the router’s stock password while setting it up in the beginning. If yes, then look for the same on the router’s box- you’ll generally find the SSID and Key sticker either on the back or at the bottom of the packaging. However, if you’ve changed the credentials, then the stock password won’t work, and you need to proceed with the steps mentioned below. Note that in order to recover your Wi-Fi password, at least one of your devices should be connected to the network. In case you don’t have any device connected to the network, then you can try using the WPS push button given on the router or the Ethernet cable to connect and gain access to the router’s settings page. Both methods are detailed in the end.
1] Recover Wi-Fi Password On Windows
To Find passwords of networks connected previously-
On Windows 7 & Earlier On Windows 8 & Windows 10
2] Recover Wi-Fi Password On Mac
Just like Windows, you can easily find out keys of the connected Wi-Fi networks on macOS using the steps below.
3] Recover Wi-Fi Password On Android (Needs Root)
Now recovering passwords for the WiFi network is not very easy on Android, and you need to have root permissions for the same. Once you’ve rooted your device, install a root-based file manager and grant it SuperUser access. Using the file manager, visit the root folder of your device and navigate to data/misc/wifi directory. There, you’ll find a configuration file dubbed as wpa_supplicant.conf. Simply open the file using the file explorer’s text viewer/ Chrome HTML viewer. And scroll down or search for the SSID to find the corresponding password given against the term “psk.”
4] Recover Wi-Fi Password On iPhone/ iPad (Requires Jailbreak)
On a jailbroken iPhone or iPad, open the Cydia store and search for the WiFi Passwords tweak. Install the same, and you’ll be able to see the list of all Wi-Fi networks alongside their passwords. You can also manually search for the specific network you’re looking for. Note that the tweak is only compatible with iOS 6 to iOS 9.
5] Using WPS Push Button or Ethernet Cable
As mentioned above, if the network hasn’t been connected to any of your devices up till now, you can recover it using the WPS push method or Ethernet cable.
Using WPS Push Button
Using the WPS Push button on the back of your router, you can connect to the network on your mobile, PC, or even a TV set without the need to use the password.
Now, this method won’t directly tell you the password, but once connected, you can use other methods to gain the key. Also, note that this feature is not available on all routers. So make sure to check your model’s box documentation for details on the same.
Using Ethernet Cable
Through Ethernet, you can have a direct connection with your router and can view or change its SSID and password. To do the same:
Wrapping Up
So these were some methods on how to find or recover Wi-Fi passwords on Windows, Mac, and more. Anyways, if nothing works, you can proceed with a complete reset of your router using the provided user guide. However, you need to reconfigure the network to restore your Internet connection, so better contact the service provider to do it for you. Note that this is not a hacking guide, and the methods only work for networks owned by you. Anyways, which method worked the best for you? Let us know in the comments below. Moreover, feel free to reach us in case of any doubts or queries. Also, read How to find out WiFi passwords on Android phones using WiFi Key Recovery.
