How to Share Wi-Fi Passwords

Sharing Wi-Fi passwords gives you the power to hand out internet access to anyone you choose. But not everyone knows how to take advantage of this handy option. Fortunately, it’s a relatively simple and hassle-free process.

If you want to know how to share your Wi-Fi password, read on to learn everything you need to know.

How to Share Wi-Fi Passwords on an Android Device

Wi-Fi is essential for pretty much every modern hi-tech device. Hence, the ability to share Wi-Fi with your friends or family can be extremely helpful. However, depending on what device you’re using, the technique to share your Wi-Fi password varies dramatically.

The latest versions of the Android operating system have a unique method for sharing your Wi-Fi password. It’s done by generating a QR code on your phone that’s scanned by the person you want to share with.

Here are the steps for sharing your Wi-Fi password on an Android device using a QR Code:

1. Go to the “Settings” app on your phone.
   
2. Scroll down and select “Wi-Fi and Network.”
3. Select “Wi-Fi” from the menu options.
   
4. Tap on the gear icon that is located beside the Wi-Fi Network you want to share to prompt the next screen.
   
5. Select the “Share” icon that appears at the center top of your screen to open the QR code.
   
6. Display the QR code so that the person you want to share it with can scan it with their phone.
   

Note: The QR code option for sharing Wi-Fi is only accessible for Android 10 and above.

How to Share Wi-Fi Passwords on an iPhone to Other Apple Devices

Apple is always at the forefront of tech developments and this extends to how you share Wi-Fi passwords between Apple devices. Essentially, it works similarly to AirDrop. Hence, you can seamlessly hand out your Wi-Fi password securely using this impressive Apple feature.

1. Ensure that Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are turned on for both devices.
   
2. Make sure that both devices have the other’s Apple ID saved in their contacts list and that both devices are signed in to the Apple ID.
3. Bring both devices into Bluetooth range.
4. On your iPhone, go to the “Settings” app.
   
5. Tap on the Wi-Fi network you wish to share to prompt a pop-up that will ask if you want to share the password.
   
6. Select “Share Password” to finalize.

Note: Unfortunately, only iOS 11 and higher are compatible with this method of Wi-Fi sharing. Additionally, this method will not work if you are attempting to share your Wi-Fi password with a non-Apple device.

How to Find Your Wi-Fi Password on Windows

Unfortunately, Windows has yet to introduce a sharing feature for devices that run Windows as their operating system. Therefore, to pass out an internet connection to your friends via Windows, you need to locate your Wi-Fi password and pass it on the old-fashioned way. However, the technique changes slightly depending on what version of Windows is installed on your device.

This is how you find your Wi-Fi password on Windows 11:

1. Click on the “Start” button on your Windows device.
   
2. Navigate to “Settings” from the options.
   
3. In settings, select “Network & Internet.”
   
4. Click the “View” button next to the “View Wi-Fi Security Key” to display your Wi-Fi password.
   
5. Show or tell the person you’re sharing with to finalize.
   

This is how you find your Wi-Fi password on Windows 10:

1. On your Windows device, click the “Start” button.
   
2. Go to “Settings.”
   
3. Click on “Network & Internet” from the menu options.
   
4.  Navigate to and click on “Status.”
   
5. Select “Network and Sharing Center” to proceed.
   
6. Click on the Wi-Fi network you want to share.
   
7. In the “Wi-Fi Status” menu, click on “Wireless Properties.”
   
8. Click on the “Security” tab.
   
9. On the screen that appears, select the “Show Characters” check box to display the Wi-Fi password.
   
10. Pass it on to the person you want to share it with to finish.

This is how you find your Wi-Fi password on Windows 7 and 8:

1. Select the “Start’ button.
   
2. Type “Network” into the search box and select.
   
3. Click on “Network and Sharing Center” from the Network menu options.
   
4. Locate and select the Wi-Fi network you wish to share.
   
5. Click on “Wireless Properties” in “Wi-Fi Status.”
   
6. From there, select the “Security” tab.
   
7. Click on “Show Characters” in the check box that appears to display the Wi-Fi password.
   
8. Share it with the person you want to access the network.

How to Share Wi-Fi Passwords on Mac

You can also share Wi-Fi passwords on Mac computers using Apple’s unique sharing system. This system allows you to completely bypass either yourself or anyone else from seeing the actual Wi-Fi password. Therefore, this method protects your password from being exposed to anyone who may be listening.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Make sure that Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are switched on for both devices.
   
   
2. Ensure that both devices have the other’s Apple ID saved in their contacts list and that both devices are signed in to the Apple ID.
3. Come into Bluetooth range with both devices.
   
4. Select the Wi-Fi network you want to join on the iPhone or Apple device that wants to connect to your Wi-Fi.
   
5. On your Mac, wait for a notification to appear and select “Share” to finalize.
   

Note: This password-sharing feature may be unavailable on older versions of MacOS. Additionally, this method will only work if you’re sharing the password with another Apple device.

How to Find Your Wi-Fi Password on a Mac

If you can’t share the Wi-Fi on your Mac device then you can simply find and pass on the password. This method will show you how to locate your Wi-Fi password if you’ve stored it in Apple’s password manager – Keychain. Sharing your password this way is just as effective but less secure given that you have to either show or say your Wi-Fi password.

Here are the steps to find your Wi-Fi password on Mac:

1. On the toolbar menu at the top right of your screen, click on the “Magnifying Glass” icon.
   
2. Enter “Keychain” in the search box to open your password manager.
   
3. Locate the Wi-Fi network you want to share or search the network name in the search box.
   
4. Double-click on the Wi-Fi network.
   
5. Click on “Show Password” to display your Wi-Fi password.
6. Give the password to the person you want to share it with.

Wi-Fi for All

In recent decades, fast, reliable Wi-Fi has gone from being a luxury to an essential part of your everyday life. Thus, sharing your Wi-Fi password is a useful trick when you want to help out someone by supplying them with internet access.

Have you shared your Wi-Fi password with friends? If so, did you use any of the methods covered in this article? Let us know in the comments section below.