How to Find and Share Wi-Fi Passwords on Mac

Need to share the Wi-Fi password you’re currently connected to on your Mac, or perhaps retrieve the password of a network you’ve previously used? macOS makes it surprisingly easy to find and share these credentials. This guide will walk you through the simple steps to locate and share Wi-Fi passwords directly from your Mac’s settings.

Step-By-Step Guide

Accessing Wi-Fi Settings

The first step is to open your Mac’s System Settings and navigate to the Wi-Fi section.

1. Open System Settings: Click on the Apple icon located in the top-left corner of your screen.
2. Select “System Settings”: From the dropdown menu, click on “System Settings”.
3. Navigate to Wi-Fi: In the System Settings window, look for “Wi-Fi” in the sidebar (it might be listed under “Network”). Click on “Wi-Fi”.

Method 1: Sharing the Password of Your Current Wi-Fi Network

If you’re currently connected to the Wi-Fi network whose password you want to share, here’s how to find it:

1. Locate Your Connected Network: In the Wi-Fi settings, you’ll see the name of the network you are currently connected to listed under “Known Networks” with a green checkmark.
2. Click the Three Dots: To the right of your connected network’s name, click on the three horizontal dots (often referred to as the “More Options” menu).
3. Select “Copy Password”: From the dropdown menu that appears, click on “Copy Password”.

The Wi-Fi password for your current network is now copied to your clipboard. You can paste it into a message, email, or any other application to share it.

Method 2: Finding Passwords of Previously Connected Wi-Fi Networks

If you need to retrieve the password of a Wi-Fi network you’ve connected to in the past (but aren’t currently connected to), follow these steps:

1. Click “Advanced…”: In the Wi-Fi settings window, look for and click the “Advanced…” button in the bottom-right corner.
2. View Known Networks: The “Advanced” Wi-Fi settings window will display a list of “Known Networks” that your Mac has previously connected to.
3. Select the Network: Click on the name of the Wi-Fi network whose password you want to find.
4. Click the Three Dots: To the right of the selected network’s name, click on the three horizontal dots.
5. Select “Copy Password”: From the dropdown menu, click on “Copy Password”.

The password for that previously connected Wi-Fi network is now copied to your clipboard and ready to be shared.

Sharing the Password

Once you have copied the Wi-Fi password to your clipboard, you can share it in various ways:

• Text Message: Open your Messages app and paste the password into a text message to the person you want to share it with (Command + V).
• Email: Compose an email and paste the password into the body of the email (Command + V).
• In Person: If the person is with you, you can simply read the password aloud. Be mindful of your surroundings when doing so.

Security Considerations

• Share with Caution: Only share your Wi-Fi password with people you trust.
• Consider Guest Networks: If you frequently have guests who need Wi-Fi access, consider setting up a separate guest network on your router. This provides internet access without giving them the password to your primary network.
• Change Passwords Regularly: For enhanced security, it’s a good practice to change your Wi-Fi password periodically.

Conclusion

Finding and sharing Wi-Fi passwords on your Mac is a straightforward process thanks to the built-in features in macOS. Whether you need to share your current network’s password or retrieve one from the past, these simple steps will help you get others connected quickly and easily. Remember to always share your password responsibly and consider using guest networks for visitors.