How to Find Your Network Security Key on Any Device (2026)

By George Mutune   Published: 06/03/21   Updated: 09/25/26   9 min read
Cybersecurity

Updated September 2026. We added current steps for Windows 11, macOS, iPhone and Android, explained WPA3, corrected outdated details about WEP and WPA2, and added answers to common questions.

A network security key is the password for a Wi-Fi network. You need it to connect a new device, and it’s what keeps strangers off your network. If you’ve forgotten it, you can almost always find it on your router or on a device that’s already connected. Here’s how to do that on each platform.

Quick answer: where to find your network security key

What is a network security key?

A network security key is the shared secret that devices use to join a protected wireless network. Depending on the device or router, it may be called a Wi-Fi password, WPA key, WPA2/WPA3 passphrase or security key. With WPA2 and WPA3 Personal, it’s a passphrase of 8 to 63 characters that you set on the router.

The key controls who can join your network, and the Wi-Fi security protocol uses it to set up encryption between devices and the router. Anyone who has the key can join the network and may be able to reach other devices on it, so treat it like any other important password. For the basics of protecting a network, see our network security entry.

Types of network security keys: WEP, WPA, WPA2 and WPA3

ProtocolIntroducedStatusWhat to do
WEP1997Broken; can be cracked in minutesDon’t use it. Replace any device that only supports WEP.
WPA (TKIP)2003Obsolete stopgapDon’t use it.
WPA2 (AES/CCMP)2004Still widely used and acceptable with a strong passphraseUse WPA2-AES if WPA3 isn’t available. Avoid TKIP.
WPA32018Current standardUse WPA3, or WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode for older devices.

WEP

Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) was the original Wi-Fi security standard. WEP keys are 10 or 26 hexadecimal characters (for 64-bit and 128-bit WEP). Serious weaknesses in how WEP uses encryption mean attackers can recover the key quickly, so it shouldn’t be used on any network today.

WPA and WPA2

Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) replaced WEP as a temporary fix, and WPA2 followed with stronger AES-based encryption. WPA2-Personal uses a pre-shared key (PSK), the passphrase you type in. Its main weakness is that an attacker who captures a connection handshake can try to guess the passphrase offline, so short or common passphrases can be cracked. A long, random passphrase keeps WPA2 reasonably safe.

WPA3

WPA3 is the current standard, and the Wi-Fi Alliance says it is mandatory for Wi-Fi CERTIFIED devices (Wi-Fi Alliance). WPA3-Personal replaces the pre-shared key exchange with Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE), which protects against offline password guessing: an attacker can’t capture a handshake and test millions of guesses later. It also adds forward secrecy, so a key learned later can’t decrypt traffic recorded earlier. From the user’s point of view, you still type in a passphrase the same way.

If your router supports it, choose WPA3-Personal, or WPA2/WPA3 transition mode if some older devices can’t connect.

How to find a network security key on your router

  1. Check the sticker on the bottom or back of the router or gateway for the Wi-Fi name (SSID) and password. Some ISPs also print it on a card in the box.
  2. If the sticker password doesn’t work, someone changed it. Sign in to the router’s admin page instead: type the router’s IP address (often 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1, also listed on the sticker) into a browser, or use your ISP’s or router maker’s app.
  3. Open the wireless or Wi-Fi security settings to see or change the passphrase. Choose WPA3 (or WPA2/WPA3) while you’re there.
  4. If you can’t sign in at all, a factory reset restores the default Wi-Fi password and admin login from the sticker, but it also erases your settings.

Also change the router’s admin password from its default. It’s separate from the Wi-Fi key and controls the router’s settings.

How to find a network security key in Windows 11

For the network you’re connected to now (Microsoft):

  1. Open Settings and select Network & internet.
  2. Select Properties (under the Wi-Fi connection).
  3. Next to Wi-Fi network password, select Show. Windows displays the password and a QR code that phones can scan to join.

For a network you’ve used before, go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks, select the network, and select Show next to Wi-Fi network password. The exact labels vary slightly between Windows 11 versions.

Windows 10

  1. Open Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center (or search for “View network connections”).
  2. Select your Wi-Fi connection, then Wireless Properties.
  3. Open the Security tab and check Show characters.

Command line (Windows 10 and 11)

Open Command Prompt or Terminal and run:

netsh wlan show profiles
netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetworkName" key=clear

The password appears next to Key Content. Viewing it may require an administrator account, depending on your setup.

How to find a network security key on a Mac

On macOS Sequoia (15) and later, including macOS Tahoe, saved Wi-Fi passwords are in the Passwords app (Apple):

  1. Open the Passwords app and unlock it with your Mac password or Touch ID.
  2. Click Wi-Fi in the sidebar.
  3. Select the network, then click the password field to reveal it. You can also share it as a QR code.

On older versions of macOS, open Keychain Access, search for the network name, double-click it, check Show password and enter your Mac administrator credentials.

How to find a network security key on an iPhone or iPad

On iOS 16, iPadOS 16.1 and later (Apple):

  1. Open Settings and tap Wi-Fi.
  2. Tap the Info button (i) next to your current network.
  3. Tap the Password field and unlock with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode.

For networks you joined in the past, tap Edit in the top-right corner of the Wi-Fi screen. On iOS 18 and later, you can also open the Passwords app and tap Wi-Fi.

How to find a network security key on Android

Steps vary a little by phone maker, but on most recent Android phones (Google):

  1. Open Settings and tap Network & internet > Internet (on Samsung phones: Connections > Wi-Fi).
  2. Tap your Wi-Fi network (or the gear icon next to it).
  3. Tap Share and confirm with your fingerprint, face or PIN.
  4. Your phone shows a QR code that another device can scan. Many phones also show the password in text below the code.

Using a phone as a hotspot? That uses a separate password, which our guide to the network security key for a hotspot explains.

How to keep your network security key secure

For small businesses, Wi-Fi security is one item in a larger list. Our cybersecurity checklist covers the rest.

Want short updates on router vulnerabilities and other threats that affect home and office networks? Sign up for the CyberExperts Daily Brief.

Frequently asked questions

What is a network security key?

It’s the password for a Wi-Fi network. You enter it on a device to join the network, and the router uses it to control access and set up encryption. It may also be labeled a WPA key, passphrase or security key.

Where is the network security key on my router?

The default key is usually printed on a sticker on the bottom or back of the router, labeled Wi-Fi password, WPA key or network key. If it has been changed, sign in to the router’s admin page or app to see the current one.

How do I find my network security key on Windows 11?

Go to Settings > Network & internet > Properties and select Show next to Wi-Fi network password. For saved networks, go to Wi-Fi > Manage known networks. You can also run netsh wlan show profile name="NetworkName" key=clear.

How do I see my Wi-Fi password on an iPhone?

On iOS 16 or later, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the Info button next to the network, then tap Password and authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode.

Is the network security key the same as the Wi-Fi password?

Yes, for home networks. The router’s admin password is different: it controls the router’s settings, not who can join the Wi-Fi.

Should I use WPA2 or WPA3?

Use WPA3 if your router and devices support it, since it protects against offline password guessing. If some older devices can’t connect, use WPA2/WPA3 transition mode. Avoid WEP and WPA-TKIP entirely.

What does ‘network security key mismatch’ mean?

It usually means the password was typed wrong or the router’s password has changed since the device last connected. Forget the network on your device, reconnect and enter the current key. If it still fails, check that the router isn’t set to a security mode your device doesn’t support.

Sources

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George Mutune

I am a cyber security professional with a passion for delivering proactive strategies for day to day operational challenges. I am excited to be working with leading cyber security teams and professionals on projects that involve machine learning & AI solutions to solve the cyberspace menace and cut through inefficiency that plague today's business environments.