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How do I see a saved Wi-Fi password on my Android phone?

By the AndroidAnswers Editorial Team · Updated

About 4 minutes · Wi‑Fi & mobile data

Illustration of a phone showing a Wi-Fi symbol, with a key on one side and a padlock on the other

Steps to check

  1. Connect to the network first

    Your phone can share the details of the Wi-Fi network it is connected to right now. If you are at home, make sure the phone is on your home Wi-Fi. Swipe down from the top of the screen and check that Wi-Fi is on and shows your network name.

  2. Open the network's Share option

    Open the Settings app, tap Network & internet, then Internet. Next to the network you are connected to, tap the gear (Settings), then tap Share. If the phone asks, confirm it is you with your PIN, pattern, password, or fingerprint. You can also get there from Quick Settings: swipe down, tap Internet, and tap Share Wi-Fi. On Motorola phones, swipe down, touch and hold the Wi-Fi icon, tap the network you are connected to, then tap the share icon.

    Samsung Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi. Tap the gear next to the network you are connected to, then tap QR code at the bottom of the screen.Pixel Settings → Network & internet → Internet → the gear next to your network → Share. Or swipe down, tap Internet, then Share Wi-Fi.

  3. Read the password under the QR code

    A square QR code appears on the screen. On many phones, the password is written in plain text under the code, so you can read it out or type it into another device. Motorola's help page says you can show the person either the code to scan or the Wi-Fi password to type. If your phone shows only the code, the next step still gets your visitor connected.

    Samsung Samsung's help pages describe the QR code for sharing and do not promise a written password. If you see only the code, let the other device scan it.

  4. Or let the other device scan the code

    Often you do not need the password at all. On the other phone or tablet, open the Camera app and point it at the QR code for a few seconds. When a pop-up appears, tap it, and the device joins your Wi-Fi without anyone typing a password. Samsung notes this works on devices with a camera that can read QR codes.

  5. Not at home? Check the router label

    If you are away from the network, your phone cannot show its code. For your home Wi-Fi, the password is usually printed on a sticker on the router itself. If you changed it from the one on the sticker, whoever set up the router or your internet provider can help you find it.

  6. See which networks your phone has saved

    Your phone keeps a list of every Wi-Fi network it has joined, so it can reconnect on its own. You can open that list to check a network's settings or forget ones you no longer use. On Motorola phones, swipe down, touch and hold the Wi-Fi icon, and tap Saved networks.

    Samsung Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi → More options (three dots) → Advanced settings → Manage networks.Pixel Settings → Network & internet → Internet. Saved networks nearby are listed; touch and hold one to forget it.

Normal vs. not

Usually normal

The phone asks for your PIN or fingerprint before it shows the code, and the Share option appears only for the network you are connected to.

Worth a closer look

There is no Share or QR code option at all, even while connected. Check for a system update, and remember that a work or school phone may have sharing turned off by its manager.

What people are saying

Common questions

Can I see the password for a network I am not connected to?

Google's and Samsung's help pages describe sharing only the network you are connected to. For a network you are away from, use the router label or ask the person who runs the network.

Is it safe to show someone the QR code?

Treat the code like the password itself. Samsung notes, about its hotspot QR code, that anyone who gets the code can work out the password. Only share it with people you would give the password to.

Why does my phone ask for my PIN before it shows the password?

It is a safety check so someone who picks up your phone cannot read your Wi-Fi password. Google's help notes you may need to verify your identity first.

Sources we checked

Menu names can differ by phone brand and Android version. See our editorial policy for how we check steps.