Which iOS version added the native Show WiFi Password feature?

iOS 16, released September 2022. On iOS 15 and earlier there is no UI to reveal the saved password directly. The usual workaround is iCloud Keychain sync to a Mac, then Keychain Access on macOS.

Why is the WiFi password grayed out on my iPhone?

The password row only becomes tappable when iOS has the full credential stored. It grays out when the profile was installed by an MDM, pushed by a configuration profile, or inherited through AirDrop from a device that did not share the full key.

Can I see WiFi passwords on iPhone without a Mac?

Yes on iOS 16 and newer. The native Wi-Fi settings screen reveals the password after Face ID authentication. No Mac or computer is required.

Does this work on iPad?

Yes. iPadOS 16 and newer ship the same Wi-Fi password reveal feature. The path is identical: Settings, Wi-Fi, info icon, Password, Face ID or Touch ID.

Is the password sent to Apple when I view it?

No. The credential is read from the device keychain locally. iCloud Keychain sync is separate and encrypts entries end-to-end before they leave the device.

iOS 16, 17, 18 (iPhone + iPad)

How to See a Saved WiFi Password on iPhone

Since iOS 16, the iPhone has a native way to reveal any saved WiFi password in under a minute, protected by Face ID or Touch ID. No Mac, no jailbreak, no shady shortcuts. On iOS 15 and older there is no direct UI, but iCloud Keychain sync lets you pull the same credential from a Mac. This guide covers both paths and the most common reasons the password row is grayed out.

Native method (iOS 16, 17, 18 on iPhone and iPad)

Apple added the feature in iOS 16 and it has been unchanged through iOS 18. It works for the network you are currently on and for every network listed under My Networks on the Wi-Fi settings screen.

1
Open Settings → Wi-Fi.
The currently connected network appears at the top. Previously joined networks are grouped below under My Networks. Both are eligible.
2
Tap the blue (i) info icon next to the network name.
If you do not see the target network under My Networks, scroll down. iOS only lists networks you have successfully joined in the past.
3
Tap the Password row.
The row displays the password as dots. Tapping it triggers the reveal flow.
4
Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or device passcode.
This step is enforced by iOS. The password cannot be revealed without a fresh biometric or passcode check, which is why a thief who grabs an unlocked phone still cannot pull passwords silently.
5
Read or tap Copy.
The password appears in plain text. Tap Copy to send it to the clipboard, useful when you want to paste it into a password manager or share it with a household member.

iOS 15 and older: iCloud Keychain to Mac

There is no setting on iOS 15, 14, or earlier that reveals a saved WiFi password. The credentials are stored in the iOS keychain but the UI never exposes them. The official workaround is to sync them to a Mac via iCloud Keychain and open Keychain Access there.

1
Confirm iCloud Keychain is on, on the iPhone.
Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → Passwords and Keychain → toggle on.
2
On the Mac, sign in with the same Apple ID and enable iCloud Keychain.
System Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → Passwords and Keychain.
3
Wait for the keychain to sync.
Give it 5 to 15 minutes on a fast connection. Items appear in the login keychain after the first full sync.
4
Open Keychain Access on the Mac.
Spotlight search Keychain Access. Select the login keychain, category Passwords. Search for the WiFi SSID.
5
Reveal the password.
Double-click the entry, tick Show password, and enter the Mac user password to reveal. The string is the same WPA key that the iPhone uses.

Fast terminal alternative on the Mac

Open Terminal and run the following to pull a WiFi password straight from the keychain without the GUI:

security find-generic-password -ga "YourSSID" | grep "password:"

macOS prompts for your login password once, then prints the WiFi key. Works on every macOS version since 10.14 Mojave.

Why the password is grayed out or missing

A handful of scenarios prevent iOS from showing the password even on iOS 16+. Each has a specific cause and a different workaround.

MDM or Configuration Profile

Enterprise-managed devices often receive WiFi profiles through Mobile Device Management. The credential is installed encrypted to the device identity, not stored as a reusable key. iOS deliberately grays out the password to prevent leaking corporate secrets.

AirDrop-shared network

When a friend AirDrops their WiFi to your iPhone, iOS stores only an opaque association blob, not the raw password. You can connect, but there is nothing to reveal. Ask the original owner to share the password by other means.

Network never fully joined

If you tapped Join but the handshake failed, iOS may have kept the SSID without a valid key. Forget the network, rejoin, and the password will then be readable.

Device upgraded from older iOS

Networks inherited from iOS 14 backups sometimes retain a legacy keychain format that does not round-trip. Forgetting and rejoining regenerates the credential in the new format.

iOS version matrix

iOS version	Native reveal in Settings	iCloud Keychain sync	Best path
iOS 18	Yes	Yes	Settings, Wi-Fi, (i), Password
iOS 17	Yes	Yes	Settings, Wi-Fi, (i), Password
iOS 16	Yes	Yes	Settings, Wi-Fi, (i), Password
iOS 15	No	Yes	iCloud Keychain → Mac
iOS 14 and older	No	Yes (since iOS 7)	iCloud Keychain → Mac

Sharing a WiFi password the Apple way

If the goal is to get a guest onto your WiFi, you may not need to reveal the password at all. iOS and macOS support a proximity prompt: hold both devices near each other, make sure both have the other's Apple ID in Contacts, and the host gets a Share Password button. The guest joins without ever seeing the key.

For Android or Windows guests, the built-in proximity share does not apply. Reveal the password with the native method above and type it in, or generate a QR code from your Mac or router app.

Frequently asked questions

I see the network under My Networks but no (i) icon. Why?

You are looking at a nearby network that your iPhone has not joined yet. Only networks the device has successfully joined in the past show the info button with revealable credentials.

Does resetting Network Settings erase saved WiFi passwords?

Yes. Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, Reset, Reset Network Settings wipes every stored WiFi credential. Reveal passwords first if you need them.

Can I export all iPhone WiFi passwords at once?

Not from iOS directly. The Mac's Keychain Access app can export one entry at a time after iCloud Keychain sync. There is no bulk export feature.

Do iOS 16 Shortcuts let me automate WiFi password reveals?

No. The reveal action is gated by Face ID or Touch ID inside Settings and is not exposed to the Shortcuts app for security reasons.

My iPhone and Mac are on the same Apple ID but the WiFi is not in Keychain Access. Why?

iCloud Keychain sync needs Passwords and Keychain enabled on both devices and the Mac must trust the Apple ID (new device prompt). Sync can take up to 20 minutes after first enabling.

No Apple device has the password either?

If the network is yours but every iPhone, iPad, and Mac on the account was wiped, check the router admin panel and sticker, or submit a capture on the authorized handshake recovery form.

Owner-authorized use only

Only reveal WiFi passwords on devices you own or are expressly authorized to use.