If you have recently changed your wifi password or simply forgot it, do not worry. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps of checking your wifi password on a Mac computer. Whether you’re using macOS Sierra, High Sierra, Mojave, or newer versions, these steps will work for you. With just a few clicks, you’ll be able to access your wifi password and connect all your devices.
Steps
Step 1 – Launch Keychain Access
To check your wifi password, you’ll need to open the Keychain Access app on your Mac. You can find this app by opening the Finder, selecting Applications, then Utilities, and finally selecting Keychain Access.
Step 2 – Search for Your Network
Once you’ve launched the Keychain Access app, use the search bar to find your wifi network. Type in the exact name of your network and hit enter.
Step 3 – Select Your Network
Double-click on your wifi network to open the Network Password window.
Step 4 – Authenticate Your Access
Click on the Show Password checkbox and enter your administrator username and password when prompted.
Step 5 – View Your wifi password
Your wifi password will be displayed in the Password field within the Network Password window.
Step 6 – Copy Your wifi password
To copy your password, select the password and press Command+C or right-click and select Copy from the drop-down menu.
Step 7 – Paste Your wifi password
Paste your wifi password into a secure location such as a password manager, a secure note app or anywhere else safe you can remember for future reference.
Step 8 – Hide Your wifi password
After copying and pasting your wifi password, click on the Hide Password checkbox to keep it secure.
Step 9 – Close Network Password Window
Click on the Cancel button to close the Network Password window and continue using your Mac.
Step 10 – Restart Your Device
To ensure that your Mac retains all changes made, restart your device.
Step 11 – Connect Your Devices
Now that you have your wifi password, you can easily connect all your devices including smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and more.
Step 12 – Update Your wifi Password
If for any reason you want to change your wifi password, follow these same steps to update your password.
Explanation
The reason why you need to authenticate your access before accessing your wifi password is for security purposes. If someone unauthorized were to get a hold of your device, they would need to go through the same process to access your password.
Furthermore, hiding your password after viewing it prevents anyone from seeing it when they glance over your shoulder, for example. It’s important to keep your wifi password secure to keep your personal data safe.
Tips and Tricks
Tip 1 – Change Your wifi Password Often
It’s a good practice to change your wifi password every few months to keep your network secure.
Tip 2 – Use a Password Manager
Using a password manager can help you keep track of all your passwords in a secure location.
Tip 3 – Create Strong Passwords
Your wifi password should be at least 8-12 characters long and include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
Tip 4 – Avoid Using Common Words and Phrases
Avoid using common words and phrases as your wifi password such as “password123” or “123456”. These are easy for hackers to crack and can leave your personal data vulnerable.
Tip 5 – Only Share Your Password with Trusted Individuals
Make sure to only share your wifi password with individuals you trust and who are allowed to use your network.
Tip 6 – Use Guest Networks
Consider setting up a guest network for visitors to use so they do not have access to your personal data.
Tip 7 – Disable SSID Broadcast
Disabling SSID broadcast hides your network name from potential hackers, making it harder for them to access your network.
Tip 8 – Enable Network Encryption
Enabling network encryption adds an extra layer of security to your wifi network and can further protect your personal data.
Tip 9 – Keep Your Software Up-To-Date
Keep your Mac’s software up-to-date to ensure that you have the latest security updates and patches.
Tip 10 – Use a VPN
Consider using a VPN when connecting to public networks to ensure that your personal data remains secure and private.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Checking WiFi Password on Mac
Advantages
1. Convenience: By checking the WiFi password on your Mac, you save yourself the time and hassle of having to contact your internet service provider or reset the password altogether.
2. Increased Security: Knowing your WiFi password on Mac can help you make sure that your network is secure from unauthorized users, and keep your personal information safe.
3. Quick Access: Checking the WiFi password on Mac allows you to quickly access the internet without having to search for or remember passwords on other devices, such as your phone or tablet.
4. Easy Troubleshooting: If there is any problem with your internet connectivity, being able to check the password on your Mac can help with troubleshooting and resolving the issue quickly.
5. Sharing with Guests: Knowing your WiFi password can make it easier for you to share it with guests who are visiting, without having it retype the long and complex password repeatedly.
6. Streamlined Set-Up: When setting up new devices that require access to your WiFi network, being able to refer to your Mac for the information can make the process faster and more efficient.
7. Avoid Changing Defaults: If you change your WiFi password for security reasons, being able to check the new password on your Mac can ensure that all your devices are using the same password without requiring you to change all of them manually.
8. Enhanced Productivity: With easy and quick access to your WiFi network, you can focus on important tasks without being distracted by the inconvenience of searching for password information.
9. Improved User Experience: Knowing your WiFi password on Mac can enhance your overall user experience, as you can connect and disconnect devices easily as needed.
10. Peace of Mind: Checking your WiFi password on your Mac can provide you with peace of mind, knowing that your internet connection is secure and that you always have access to your network information whenever you need it.
Disadvantages
1. Security Risks: If someone else gains access to your Mac, they may be able to view sensitive information such as your WiFi password and gain unauthorized access to your network.
2. Limited Network Information: The WiFi password is just one piece of network information that you need to know, and other network settings may require different access points or logins.
3. Risk of Losing or Forgetting Passwords: If you rely solely on your Mac to store WiFi passwords, you may be at risk of losing access to your network if you lose or forget your password.
4. Limited Compatibility: If you switch to a device that doesn’t support your WiFi network, such as an older device with a different encryption standard, you may need to reset your password.
5. Vulnerability to Malware: If your Mac is infected with malware, your WiFi connection could be in danger, and it may not be safe to enter your password into your Mac.
6. Inability to Reset Password: Depending on your internet service provider, you may need to reset your password through a different device or account, in which case you may not be able to check the password on your Mac.
7. Limited Control Over Network: Checking your WiFi password on your Mac may not give you control over all aspects of your network, which may require advanced network management skills.
8. Complexity: If you use a complex password on your WiFi network, checking it on your Mac may not be easy, especially if you have multiple WiFi networks or passwords.
9. Risk of Misconfiguration: If you enter the wrong password into your Mac, you may experience network misconfiguration, making it difficult to access your network.
10. Technical Knowledge Required: Depending on your level of technical experience, checking your WiFi password on your Mac may require some technical knowledge, which may not be accessible to everyone.
FAQ
1. Can I check my wifi password on my Mac?
Yes, you can easily check your wifi password on your Mac.
2. How do I check my wifi password on my Mac?
You can check your wifi password on your Mac by following these steps:
- Click on the Wi-Fi icon on the top right corner of your screen.
- Select “Open Network Preferences”.
- Click on “Advanced” at the bottom of the window.
- Select the “Wi-Fi” tab at the top.
- Click on the network name you’re currently connected to.
- Click on “Show Password” and enter your admin password if prompted.
3. I forgot my wifi password, how can I retrieve it on my Mac?
If you’ve forgotten your wifi password, you can retrieve it on your Mac by following the steps above to access the network preferences window. From there, click on the “Advanced” button and select the “Wi-Fi” tab. Next, click on the “Remove” button next to your network name to delete the network settings. Once you’ve done this, connect to the network again and your Mac will prompt you to enter the password. You can then select “Remember this network” to avoid having to re-enter the password in the future.
4. Does my Mac store wifi passwords?
Yes, your Mac stores wifi passwords for all networks that you’ve connected to.
5. Can I view saved wifi passwords on my Mac?
Yes, you can view saved wifi passwords on your Mac by following the steps outlined above.
6. What if I can’t remember my admin password?
If you can’t remember your admin password, you’ll need to reset it using your Apple ID. To do this, click on the Apple menu and select “System Preferences”. Click on “Users & Groups” and select your user account from the left-hand column. Click on “Reset Password” and follow the prompts to reset your password using your Apple ID.
7. I don’t see the “Show Password” option, what should I do?
If you don’t see the “Show Password” option, it’s likely that your Mac is using a newer version of macOS where the option is hidden by default. To reveal the password, press and hold the Option key on your keyboard while clicking on the network name.
8. Can I view wifi passwords for networks that I’m not currently connected to?
No, you can only view wifi passwords for networks that you’re currently connected to or have previously connected to.
9. How do I delete saved wifi passwords on my Mac?
You can delete saved wifi passwords on your Mac by following the steps outlined above to access the network preferences window. From there, click on the “Advanced” button and select the “Wi-Fi” tab. Next, select the network name you want to delete and click on the “Minus” button at the bottom of the list.
10. Will deleting a wifi network on my Mac also delete it on my other devices?
No, deleting a wifi network on your Mac will only delete it from your Mac. Your other devices will still have the network saved.
11. Can I see wifi passwords on my iPhone or iPad?
Yes, you can view wifi passwords on your iPhone or iPad if you have the Keychain app installed and enabled on your device. Go to “Settings” > “Passwords & Accounts” > “Website & App Passwords” and you should be able to see your saved wifi passwords.
12. Can I view wifi passwords on my Windows PC?
Yes, you can view wifi passwords on your Windows PC by following these steps:
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type “cmd” and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
- Type “netsh wlan show profile” and press Enter to see a list of saved wifi networks.
- For the network you want to view the password for, type “netsh wlan show profile [network name] key=clear” and press Enter.
- The password will be listed next to “Key Content”.
13. Is it safe to share wifi passwords with others?
Sharing wifi passwords with others is generally safe as long as you trust the person you’re sharing it with. However, it’s always a good idea to use a strong password that’s difficult to guess and to change your password regularly.
How to Check WiFi Password on Mac
If you are someone who has forgotten their WiFi password, do not worry because there is a way to retrieve it on your Mac computer. There are two ways to check WiFi password on Mac, which are the Keychain Access and Terminal.
Conclusion and Closing
In conclusion, retrieving your forgotten WiFi password on Mac is a simple process that can be done through Keychain Access or Terminal. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can be assured that you will be able to view your WiFi password without any hassle. Remember to always keep your passwords in a secure location and never share them with anyone who is not authorized to access your network. We hope this article has been helpful and informative for you. Thank you for reading!