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Sharing Wi-Fi passwords gives you the power to hand out internet access to anyone you choose. But not everyone knows how to take advantage of this handy option. Fortunately, it’s a relatively simple and hassle-free process.
If you want to know how to share your Wi-Fi password, read on to learn everything you need to know.
Wi-Fi is essential for pretty much every modern hi-tech device. Hence, the ability to share Wi-Fi with your friends or family can be extremely helpful. However, depending on what device you’re using, the technique to share your Wi-Fi password varies dramatically.
The latest versions of the Android operating system have a unique method for sharing your Wi-Fi password. It’s done by generating a QR code on your phone that’s scanned by the person you want to share with.
Here are the steps for sharing your Wi-Fi password on an Android device using a QR Code:
- Go to the “Settings” app on your phone.
- Scroll down and select “Wi-Fi and Network.”
- Select “Wi-Fi” from the menu options.
- Tap on the gear icon that is located beside the Wi-Fi Network you want to share to prompt the next screen.
- Select the “Share” icon that appears at the center top of your screen to open the QR code.
- Display the QR code so that the person you want to share it with can scan it with their phone.
Note: The QR code option for sharing Wi-Fi is only accessible for Android 10 and above.
Apple is always at the forefront of tech developments and this extends to how you share Wi-Fi passwords between Apple devices. Essentially, it works similarly to AirDrop. Hence, you can seamlessly hand out your Wi-Fi password securely using this impressive Apple feature.
- Ensure that Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are turned on for both devices.
- Make sure that both devices have the other’s Apple ID saved in their contacts list and that both devices are signed in to the Apple ID.
- Bring both devices into Bluetooth range.
- On your iPhone, go to the “Settings” app.
- Tap on the Wi-Fi network you wish to share to prompt a pop-up that will ask if you want to share the password.
- Select “Share Password” to finalize.
Note: Unfortunately, only iOS 11 and higher are compatible with this method of Wi-Fi sharing. Additionally, this method will not work if you are attempting to share your Wi-Fi password with a non-Apple device.
How to Find Your Wi-Fi Password on Windows
Unfortunately, Windows has yet to introduce a sharing feature for devices that run Windows as their operating system. Therefore, to pass out an internet connection to your friends via Windows, you need to locate your Wi-Fi password and pass it on the old-fashioned way. However, the technique changes slightly depending on what version of Windows is installed on your device.
This is how you find your Wi-Fi password on Windows 11:
- Click on the “Start” button on your Windows device.
- Navigate to “Settings” from the options.
- In settings, select “Network & Internet.”
- Click the “View” button next to the “View Wi-Fi Security Key” to display your Wi-Fi password.
- Show or tell the person you’re sharing with to finalize.
This is how you find your Wi-Fi password on Windows 10:
- On your Windows device, click the “Start” button.
- Go to “Settings.”
- Click on “Network & Internet” from the menu options.
- Navigate to and click on “Status.”
- Select “Network and Sharing Center” to proceed.
- Click on the Wi-Fi network you want to share.
- In the “Wi-Fi Status” menu, click on “Wireless Properties.”
- Click on the “Security” tab.
- On the screen that appears, select the “Show Characters” check box to display the Wi-Fi password.
- Pass it on to the person you want to share it with to finish.
This is how you find your Wi-Fi password on Windows 7 and 8:
- Select the “Start’ button.
- Type “Network” into the search box and select.
- Click on “Network and Sharing Center” from the Network menu options.
- Locate and select the Wi-Fi network you wish to share.
- Click on “Wireless Properties” in “Wi-Fi Status.”
- From there, select the “Security” tab.
- Click on “Show Characters” in the check box that appears to display the Wi-Fi password.
- Share it with the person you want to access the network.
You can also share Wi-Fi passwords on Mac computers using Apple’s unique sharing system. This system allows you to completely bypass either yourself or anyone else from seeing the actual Wi-Fi password. Therefore, this method protects your password from being exposed to anyone who may be listening.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Make sure that Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are switched on for both devices.
- Ensure that both devices have the other’s Apple ID saved in their contacts list and that both devices are signed in to the Apple ID.
- Come into Bluetooth range with both devices.
- Select the Wi-Fi network you want to join on the iPhone or Apple device that wants to connect to your Wi-Fi.
- On your Mac, wait for a notification to appear and select “Share” to finalize.
Note: This password-sharing feature may be unavailable on older versions of MacOS. Additionally, this method will only work if you’re sharing the password with another Apple device.
How to Find Your Wi-Fi Password on a Mac
If you can’t share the Wi-Fi on your Mac device then you can simply find and pass on the password. This method will show you how to locate your Wi-Fi password if you’ve stored it in Apple’s password manager – Keychain. Sharing your password this way is just as effective but less secure given that you have to either show or say your Wi-Fi password.
Here are the steps to find your Wi-Fi password on Mac:
- On the toolbar menu at the top right of your screen, click on the “Magnifying Glass” icon.
- Enter “Keychain” in the search box to open your password manager.
- Locate the Wi-Fi network you want to share or search the network name in the search box.
- Double-click on the Wi-Fi network.
- Click on “Show Password” to display your Wi-Fi password.
- Give the password to the person you want to share it with.
Wi-Fi for All
In recent decades, fast, reliable Wi-Fi has gone from being a luxury to an essential part of your everyday life. Thus, sharing your Wi-Fi password is a useful trick when you want to help out someone by supplying them with internet access.
Have you shared your Wi-Fi password with friends? If so, did you use any of the methods covered in this article? Let us know in the comments section below.
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