How to Share Your WiFi Password Using a QR Code: iPhone, Android, and Router-Generated QR Codes Explained

Sharing your WiFi password used to mean reading it off a sticker, dictating it letter by letter, or texting it across. All of that goes away with a QR code: your guest opens their camera app, points it at the screen for one second, and taps “Join Network.” No typing, no misread characters, no texting passwords in plaintext. Every major operating system and many modern routers support WiFi QR codes natively — here’s how to generate one on each platform.

How WiFi QR Codes Work

A WiFi QR code encodes your network’s SSID (network name), password, and security type (WPA2 or WPA3) into the WIFI: URI format — for example, WIFI:T:WPA;S:MyNetwork;P:MyPassword;;. Any modern camera app that understands this format will recognize it and offer to join the network automatically. No app installation required on the scanning device, and it works across iPhone, Android, Windows, and macOS.

One important note: the password is embedded in the QR code and can be decoded by any QR reader. Keep that in mind if you print and post it somewhere permanent — anyone who photographs the code has your password. For guests, displaying it temporarily on a screen is safer than printing it.

Generate a WiFi QR Code on iPhone (iOS 17 and Later)

Apple added native WiFi QR code generation in iOS 17 and expanded it with the dedicated Passwords app in iOS 18. The steps differ slightly depending on your iOS version.

iOS 18 — Passwords App (Easiest Method)

1. Open the Passwords app (it ships with iOS 18 and later).
2. Tap the Wi-Fi card near the top of the screen.
3. Select the network you want to share.
4. Tap Show Network QR Code.
5. Display the QR code on screen for your guest to scan, or tap the share icon to AirDrop or print it.

iOS 17 — Settings Method

1. Go to Settings › Wi-Fi.
2. Tap the (i) icon next to your connected network.
3. Tap Share Password if the other device is nearby (uses Bluetooth proximity), or look for a QR code icon to generate a scannable code.

If your iPhone is running iOS 16 or earlier, you’ll need the third-party method described in the QR generator section below. Consider updating to iOS 18 for the most streamlined experience. After your guest connects, run a speed test to confirm they’re getting good speeds on your network.

Generate a WiFi QR Code on Android

Android has supported WiFi QR code sharing natively since Android 10. The exact menu path varies slightly by manufacturer (Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus all differ), but the steps are similar.

Stock Android (Pixel, Android 10+)

1. Open Settings › Network & internet › Wi-Fi.
2. Tap the name of your currently connected network.
3. Tap the Share button or the QR code icon.
4. Authenticate with your PIN, fingerprint, or face unlock.
5. A QR code appears — your guest scans it to join instantly.

Samsung Galaxy (One UI 6 and Later)

1. Open Settings › Connections › Wi-Fi.
2. Tap the gear icon next to your connected network.
3. Tap QR Code at the bottom of the network details screen.
4. Show the code to your guest or tap Save as image to export it.

Android’s native camera app can scan these codes on Android 10 and later. On older Android versions, Google Lens (built into the camera app on Pixel devices) handles the scanning. If your guest is on an older device, any QR reader app from the Play Store works just as well.

Generate a WiFi QR Code on Windows 11

Windows 11 added a built-in WiFi QR code generator that many users don’t know exists. It requires no third-party app and works with any Windows 11 PC connected to the target network.

1. Open Settings › Network & internet › Wi-Fi.
2. Click Manage known networks and select your network, or click Properties under the currently connected network.
3. Scroll down to Wi-Fi security key and click View.
4. A dialog appears showing the password in plain text and a QR code beneath it — have your guest scan it to connect.

macOS does not have a native WiFi QR code generator as of 2026, but you can retrieve the password from Keychain Access › System › search your network name › Show Password and paste it into a third-party generator.

Router-Generated QR Codes

Many modern routers can generate a guest WiFi QR code directly from their admin interface or companion app, so you don’t need a computer or phone to do it. This is particularly useful for printing a permanent code for a guest room or Airbnb listing.

• ASUS routers (ASUS Router app): Open the app, tap Wi-Fi, select your guest network, and tap the QR code icon. You can share or download the image for printing.
• TP-Link (Tether app): In the Tether app, tap Tools › Wi-Fi, choose the network, and tap Share Wi-Fi to generate a QR code.
• Eero (eero app): Tap Network › Guest Access and enable the guest network. A QR code appears on the guest network page that you can screenshot and share.
• Netgear Orbi and Nighthawk (Nighthawk app): Navigate to WiFi › WiFi Details, then tap the share icon to generate and export a QR code.

If you’re setting up a guest network for sharing, see our guide on how to set up a guest WiFi network to isolate guest traffic from your main devices. And if you want tighter control over who can connect, our guide on how to block devices from your WiFi covers MAC filtering and access control options.

Third-Party QR Code Generators

If your device doesn’t support native generation (older iPhone, older Android, or macOS), a browser-based QR code generator is the fastest workaround. Sites like qr-code-generator.com and qrforever.com have dedicated WiFi QR templates — enter your SSID, password, and security type (WPA2 or WPA3), and the site generates a downloadable QR image instantly. No account required.

Security note: you’re entering your WiFi password into a third-party website. Use a reputable site (not an unknown page from a search ad), and if privacy is a concern, consider temporarily changing your password before generating the code and reverting it afterward — or use the native OS method instead.

Quick Security Reminder

A WiFi QR code is as sensitive as the password itself. Anyone who scans it or photographs a printed version has your full network credentials. For permanent guest displays, use your router’s guest network QR code rather than your main network’s code — that way guests are isolated from your personal devices and you can rotate the guest password without affecting your own equipment. See our guide on WPA2 vs WPA3 security for a broader look at securing your home network.