How to Find WIFI Password using a MacBook Pro

Are you in a situation where you need to find the Wi-Fi password on your MacBook Pro? Whether you want to connect a new device to your network or share the password with a friend, it’s essential to know how to retrieve this information. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through various methods to find the Wi-Fi password on your MacBook Pro. From using Keychain Access and Terminal to sharing the password with others, we’ve got you covered.

As a MacBook Pro user, you may find yourself in situations where you need to find your Wi-Fi password. Whether it’s because your friends want to connect to your network or you have new devices that require the password, knowing how to retrieve it is essential. Thankfully, Apple has made it easy to access your saved Wi-Fi passwords on your MacBook Pro. In the following sections, we will guide you through the process step by step.

How to Find Wi-Fi Password Using Keychain Access

One of the easiest ways to find your Wi-Fi password on a MacBook Pro is by using the Keychain Access utility. Keychain Access automatically saves your Wi-Fi passwords, allowing you to retrieve them whenever needed. Here’s how you can find your Wi-Fi password using Keychain Access:

Step 1: Open Keychain Access

To open Keychain Access on your MacBook Pro, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Launchpad icon in your dock.
2. In the search bar, type Keychain Access and press Enter.

Step 2: Locate the Wi-Fi Network

Once you have opened Keychain Access, you need to locate the Wi-Fi network for which you want to find the password. Follow these steps:

1. In the sidebar, click on Passwords under the Categories section.
2. Scroll through the list of passwords to find the name of the Wi-Fi network you want to access.

Step 3: Show the Password

After locating the Wi-Fi network in Keychain Access, you can reveal the password by following these steps:

1. Double-click on the name of the Wi-Fi network.
2. In the window that appears, check the box next to Show password.
3. Authenticate by entering your Mac’s administrator username and password.
4. The Wi-Fi password will be displayed in the box next to the Show password button.

Step 4: Update the Wi-Fi Password

If you find that your Wi-Fi password is too difficult to remember or you want to change it, you can update it using Keychain Access. Follow these steps:

1. Delete the current Wi-Fi password shown in the password box.
2. Type in your new Wi-Fi password.
3. Click Save Changes to update the Wi-Fi password.

Note: If you have enabled iCloud Keychain, the new Wi-Fi password will automatically sync across all your macOS and iOS devices.

How to Find Wi-Fi Password Using Terminal

In case you are unable to retrieve the saved Wi-Fi password using Keychain Access, you can try using the Terminal utility on your MacBook Pro. Terminal provides a command-line interface that allows you to access various system functions, including retrieving Wi-Fi passwords. Follow these steps to find your Wi-Fi password using Terminal:

Step 1: Open Terminal

To open Terminal on your MacBook Pro, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Launchpad icon in your dock.
2. In the search bar, type Terminal and press Enter.

Step 2: Enter the Terminal Command

Once you have opened Terminal, you need to enter a specific command to retrieve the Wi-Fi password. Follow these steps:

1. In the Terminal window, type the following command, replacing “Wi-Fi NAME” with the actual name of the network you want the password for:
   security find-generic-password -ga "Wi-Fi NAME" | grep "password:"


Step 3: Authenticate and Retrieve the Password

After entering the command in Terminal, you will be prompted to enter your username and password. Follow these steps:

1. Enter your Mac’s administrator username and press Enter.
2. Enter your password and press Enter.
3. Terminal will display the password for the Wi-Fi network you specified.

Bonus: Sharing a Wi-Fi Password on MacBook Pro

If you need to share your Wi-Fi password with someone using an Apple device, you can take advantage of the password sharing feature available on macOS Monterey and macOS Big Sur. This feature allows you to share the Wi-Fi password with a nearby and trusted Apple device without manually entering it. Here’s how you can share a Wi-Fi password on your MacBook Pro:

Step 1: Ensure Mac Accessibility and Apple ID Sign-In

Before sharing a Wi-Fi password, make sure your MacBook Pro is unlocked, connected to the Wi-Fi network, and signed in to your Apple ID.

Step 2: Add Your Friend’s Apple ID to Contacts

To share the Wi-Fi password with your friend’s Apple device, you need to have their Apple ID listed in your Contacts app. Make sure you have their Apple ID saved in your contacts before proceeding.

Step 3: Enable Your Friend’s Device to Connect

To allow your friend’s Apple device to connect to your Wi-Fi network without manually entering the password, follow these steps:

1. Move your friend’s Apple device close to your MacBook Pro.
2. On your friend’s device, select the Wi-Fi network you want to share.
3. On your MacBook Pro, wait for the Wi-Fi Password notification to display.
4. Click on Share to share the Wi-Fi password with your friend’s device.

Conclusion

In conclusion, finding the Wi-Fi password on your MacBook Pro is a straightforward process. By using either Keychain Access or Terminal, you can quickly retrieve your saved Wi-Fi passwords. Additionally, the password sharing feature on macOS Monterey and macOS Big Sur allows you to share Wi-Fi passwords with nearby Apple devices effortlessly. Remember to keep your Wi-Fi passwords secure and consider using a password manager to manage and store your passwords effectively. With these tools and methods at your disposal, you can easily manage and share Wi-Fi passwords on your MacBook Pro. Stay connected and enjoy a seamless networking experience!