How to Share Your WiFi Password on iPhone, Android, and Mac

Sharing your WiFi password used to mean digging through router settings or reading out a 20-character random string. Today, every major platform has a built-in way to share your WiFi credentials in seconds—often with just a tap. Here’s exactly how to do it on iPhone, Android, and Mac.

Share WiFi Password on iPhone

Apple’s proximity-based WiFi sharing is one of the most underused features in iOS. When two Apple devices are near each other, one can hand the password to the other automatically—no typing required.

Requirements

• Both devices must run iOS 11 or later (or iPadOS / macOS)
• Both Apple IDs must be saved in each other’s Contacts
• Bluetooth and WiFi must both be enabled on both devices
• Your iPhone must be unlocked during the handoff
• Neither device can be using Personal Hotspot

Step-by-Step

1. Make sure your iPhone is unlocked and connected to the WiFi network you want to share.
2. On the other person’s iPhone or iPad, go to Settings → Wi-Fi and tap the network name.
3. A popup appears on your iPhone asking “Share Wi-Fi Password?”
4. Tap Share Password, then tap Done.
5. The other device connects automatically—no password entry needed.

Share to Android from iPhone (iOS 18+)

Apple’s proximity sharing only works between Apple devices. For Android guests, the easiest method starting with iOS 18 is to generate a QR code:

1. Open the Passwords app on your iPhone (added in iOS 18).
2. Tap Wi-Fi in the sidebar and select your network.
3. Tap Show Network QR Code.
4. The Android user opens their Camera app and scans the code—they’ll be prompted to join automatically.

On older iOS versions, the simplest option is to reveal and read out the password: go to Settings → Wi-Fi, tap the (i) button next to your network, and tap the password field to reveal it (Face ID or passcode required).

Share WiFi Password on Android

Android has offered QR code WiFi sharing since Android 10, making it easy to share with any device that has a camera—including iPhones.

QR Code Method (Android 10+)

1. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi (or Network & Internet → Wi-Fi on stock Android).
2. Tap the gear icon or (i) next to your connected network name.
3. Tap Share or QR Code. Authenticate with your fingerprint or PIN if prompted.
4. A QR code appears on screen. The network SSID and password are also displayed in plain text below it.
5. The other person opens their Camera app and scans the code to connect instantly.

Note: The menu label varies by manufacturer. On Samsung One UI look for “QR code”; on Google Pixel look for “Share”; on OnePlus look for the QR icon at the top of the WiFi details screen.

Nearby Share (Android 12+)

On Android 12 and later, you can also use Nearby Share to push the WiFi credentials to another Android device wirelessly:

1. In the WiFi details screen, tap Nearby Share (if available on your device).
2. The nearby Android device receives a notification to join the network—no QR scan needed.

Share WiFi Password on Mac

Mac gives you two ways to share a WiFi password: the modern Passwords app (macOS Sequoia and later) and the classic Keychain Access utility that works on every version of macOS.

Using the Passwords App (macOS Sequoia 15+)

1. Open the Passwords app (search for it in Spotlight with ⌘+Space).
2. Click Wi-Fi in the left sidebar.
3. Select your network from the list.
4. Hover over the dots next to “Password” to reveal it, or click the field to copy it.
5. To generate a QR code, click Show Network QR Code—anyone with a phone camera can scan it to join.

Using Keychain Access (All macOS Versions)

1. Open Finder → Applications → Utilities → Keychain Access, or search for it in Spotlight.
2. In the left sidebar, select System under Keychains, then Passwords under Category.
3. Type your WiFi network name in the search box at the top right.
4. Double-click the network entry in the results.
5. Check the box labeled Show password.
6. Enter your Mac login password when prompted. The WiFi password appears in the field.

You can now read out the password, copy it, or use it to create a QR code with any QR generator app.

Sharing Directly to a Nearby iPhone or iPad

If the visitor also has an Apple device and your Apple ID is in their Contacts (and vice versa), the same proximity-sharing magic that works between iPhones also works from a Mac. The moment they try to join your network, your Mac should show a “Share Wi-Fi Password” prompt—click Share Password and they’re in.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• The “Share Password” popup never appears on iPhone: Confirm both Apple IDs are saved in each other’s Contacts, both devices have Bluetooth and WiFi enabled, and your screen is unlocked. Even a slight mismatch in how the email address is saved can prevent the popup.
• QR code won’t scan on Android: Make sure there’s adequate lighting. Try opening the Camera app directly instead of a third-party scanner. Hold steady 6–12 inches from the screen.
• Keychain Access shows no results on Mac: Make sure you’re searching under the System keychain. If you recently changed your router’s password, the old entry might be stored instead.
• Password field is greyed out on iPhone: This was fixed in iOS 16.4+. If you’re on an older version, use Keychain Access on a Mac or the router’s admin panel to retrieve the password.

The Fastest Method for Each Situation

Here’s the quick decision guide:

• iPhone to iPhone/iPad/Mac: Use the built-in proximity share—it’s instant and requires no steps from the guest.
• Android to any phone: Generate a QR code from WiFi settings—works with both Android and iPhone cameras.
• iPhone to Android: Use the QR code from the Passwords app (iOS 18+) or read out the password from Settings.
• Mac to any device: Use the Passwords app QR code (Sequoia) or Keychain Access to retrieve and share the password manually.

If you’re hosting guests regularly, consider setting up a dedicated guest network so visitors get internet access without touching your main network’s devices. You can even set the guest password to something simple and memorable while keeping your main network secure.