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

• 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." 

2. Click to open Keychain Access. Here, you'll be able to find saved passwords to applications as well as internet forms.

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.

5. Double-click on your network when it appears in the main section of the window - this will prompt another window to open.

6. Tick the box next to "Show Password" and, if necessary, enter your administrator password when prompted. 

7. Your Wi-Fi password will then appear in the box next to "Show Password."

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:

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:"

3. An administrator login window will pop up. Enter your username and password.

4. Your password should appear below the command you previously entered.

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. 

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