Quick answer: To get the WiFi password from a QR code:
- Take a screenshot or photo of the WiFi QR code.
- Open it in a WiFi QR code decoder, which reads it in your browser without joining the network.
- Read the text after
P:. That is the password; the text afterS:is the network name.
Already connected on your phone? Android and iPhone can also show the password on the WiFi share screen after you unlock, as covered below.
Wi-Fi QR codes allow phones to join wireless networks instantly without typing complicated passphrases. However, most camera apps automatically join the network and never display the actual password on your screen. If you need to connect a laptop, share credentials with a guest, or configure a smart home device, you must reveal the plaintext password stored inside the code.
This guide explains how to find, view, and decode the WiFi password from a QR code across Android, iPhone, Windows, and Mac, with or without an active connection.
How to Find WiFi Password from QR Code on Android
Android devices running Android 10 or later store saved Wi-Fi credentials in plain text. If your phone is currently connected to the network, you can view the password directly through system settings:
- Google Pixel and Stock Android (Motorola, Nokia): Go to Settings > Network & internet > Internet. Tap the gear icon next to your active network, then tap Share. Confirm with your fingerprint, face scan, or PIN. The Wi-Fi password appears in plain text directly below the generated QR code.
- Samsung Galaxy (One UI): Go to Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi. Tap the gear icon next to your connected network, then tap QR code at the bottom of the screen. Some One UI versions display the password below the code. If your model displays only the QR image, tap Save as image and upload the screenshot to our WiFi QR code decoder to view the password instantly.
- Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO (MIUI / HyperOS): Open Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the connected network to display the sharing QR code, take a screenshot, and scan it with the built-in Scanner app or upload it to our decoder.
How to See WiFi Password on iPhone and iPad
Apple devices automatically authenticate Wi-Fi networks when scanning a QR code with the Camera app, but they do not show the password during the scan. Once connected, you can reveal it using built-in iOS tools:
- iOS 16 and later: Open Settings > Wi-Fi. Tap the blue (i) info icon next to your connected network name. Tap the hidden Password field and authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode. The plaintext password will appear with a one-tap Copy option.
- iOS 18 and later: Open the Passwords app, tap the Wi-Fi category, and select your network. You can view saved passphrases, copy credentials, or generate a sharing QR code for nearby devices.
- Scanning a QR Code Image on iPhone: If someone sends you a photo of a Wi-Fi QR code, open the image in Apple Photos, tap the Live Text icon in the bottom right corner, and long-press the QR code to view network details.
How to Get WiFi Password from a QR Code on Laptop, PC, or Mac
Laptops and desktop computers rarely have built-in camera software designed to parse matrix barcodes. If a QR code is displayed on a screen, printed on a flyer, or saved in a document, you can extract the password in seconds without a camera:
- Take a Screenshot: On Windows, press
Win + Shift + Sand drag a box around the QR code. On Mac, pressCmd + Shift + 4. On Chromebook, pressCtrl + Shift + Switch Window. - Open the Decoder: Navigate to the WiFi QR code decoder.
- Paste Directly: Click on the page and press
Ctrl + V(orCmd + Von Mac). The tool parses the image client-side and separates the network SSID, security type, and password into distinct copyable fields.
How to Show a Saved Wi-Fi Password on Windows 11 and Mac
If the computer has joined the network before, you do not need the QR code at all: the password is stored on the machine and you can show it. You need to be signed in as an administrator on Windows, or know the Mac login password.
- Windows 11 Settings: Open Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi and select the properties of the network you are connected to. Next to View Wi-Fi security key, select View.
- Windows 10 and 11 Control Panel: Open Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center, select your Wi-Fi connection, then Wireless Properties > Security and tick Show characters.
- Any network this PC has saved: Open Terminal or Command Prompt and run
netsh wlan show profilesto list saved networks, thennetsh wlan show profile name="NetworkName" key=clear. The password is the line labelled Key Content. This works for networks you are not connected to right now. - Mac (macOS Ventura and later): Open System Settings > Wi-Fi, click Advanced, click the More button (three dots) next to the network and choose Copy Password. On older macOS, open Keychain Access, search for the network name and tick Show password.
Once you have the password, you can turn it into a code guests can scan with the WiFi QR code generator, so nobody has to read it out again.
How to Read the Password Directly from the Raw QR String
All standard Wi-Fi QR codes follow a common text format first used by the open source ZXing barcode project. When decoded into plain text, the raw string uses the following format:
WIFI:T:WPA;S:OfficeNetwork;P:SuperSecretPass123;H:false;;
You can identify each component by its prefix tag:
| Parameter Tag | Component Name | Description & Example Values |
|---|---|---|
| WIFI: | Header Prefix | Identifies the payload as wireless network configuration data. |
| T: | Authentication Type | Security protocol: WPA (WPA/WPA2/WPA3), WEP (legacy), or nopass (open network). |
| S: | Network SSID | The exact name of the wireless network (case-sensitive). |
| P: | Network Password | The plaintext passphrase required to join the network. |
| H: | Hidden Network Flag | true if the router does not broadcast its SSID; false for normal networks. |
| ;; | Termination Suffix | Marks the conclusion of the Wi-Fi configuration string. |
For an in-depth breakdown of field structures and hexadecimal WEP formats, consult our complete WiFi QR code format guide.
Why Your Phone Camera Connects Without Showing the Password
Mobile operating systems prioritize frictionless user experience and security over credential inspection. When the native camera detects a WIFI: prefix, it passes the SSID and password directly to the operating system network daemon via private APIs.
This design prevents casual observers from reading passwords over your shoulder in public spaces. However, because the QR code itself is not encrypted, any generic barcode reader or browser-based decoder can display the full string.
Is Sharing WiFi with a QR Code Safe and Private?
Sharing Wi-Fi credentials via QR code is completely unencrypted. The passphrase is encoded into black and white modules as clear text. Anyone who takes a photo of the QR code can decode it and retrieve your exact network password.
To keep your private network secure, follow these best practices:
- Use a Guest Network: Create a dedicated guest SSID on your router for visitors, and generate QR codes exclusively for that isolated network.
- Avoid Public Uploads: Do not post photos of router labels or Wi-Fi QR codes on social media or public forums.
- Rotate Passwords Periodically: If a QR code has been shared widely, update the Wi-Fi password in your router admin panel and create a fresh code using our WiFi QR code generator.
- Inspect Suspicious Codes: Before connecting to unknown public QR codes, verify the destination using our safe QR code scanner.
Troubleshooting Special Characters and Hidden Networks
If a decoded QR code fails to connect when you type the password manually, check for character escaping rules:
- Escaped Semicolons and Colons: Because the Wi-Fi QR standard uses semicolons (
;) and colons (:) as field delimiters, special characters inside the actual password are preceded by a backslash. For example, if the QR string readsP:Pass\;word123\;, the actual password isPass;word123;. Remove the leading backslashes when entering the password manually. - Escaped Backslashes: A backslash in the original password is written as
\\in the QR code. - Hidden Networks: If the code contains
H:true;, your device will not detect the network in standard Wi-Fi scan lists. You must manually select "Add Network" in your device settings and enter the SSID and password exactly as shown. - Connection Failures: If your device refuses to connect after scanning, follow our step-by-step checklist in WiFi QR code connection fixes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to find WiFi password from a QR code in mobile
On a phone the camera app is the wrong tool, because it joins the network and never shows you the characters. Take a screenshot of the code instead, then open it in a decoder. Our WiFi QR decoder works in a mobile browser and prints the network name and password as text, with nothing uploaded. The Android and iPhone sections above cover the route through your own saved networks if the code came from your phone in the first place.
Can I see the WiFi password from a QR code without joining the network?
Yes. The password is stored in clear text within the QR code payload after the P: parameter. You can upload a photo or screenshot of the QR code to an online WiFi QR decoder to view the password without connecting to the network.
How do I find the WiFi password from a QR code on Android?
On Android 10 and above, go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi, tap your connected network, and select Share. On Google Pixel and several stock Android devices, the password is displayed in plain text below the QR code. On Samsung devices, take a screenshot of the QR code and upload it to a decoder.
Can an iPhone show the WiFi password from a QR code?
An iPhone will not show the password during the camera scan, but once connected, you can view it. On iOS 16 and later, open Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the (i) icon next to the connected network, and tap the hidden Password field to reveal it using Face ID or Touch ID.
How do I show a saved Wi-Fi password on Windows 11?
Open Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi, open the properties of the connected network and select View next to View Wi-Fi security key. For a network you are not connected to, run netsh wlan show profile name="NetworkName" key=clear in Command Prompt and read the Key Content line.
Is the password inside a WiFi QR code encrypted?
No. Standard Wi-Fi QR codes store credentials as unencrypted plain text. Anyone who scans the code with a generic barcode reader can view the SSID and password.
Why does my phone connect to WiFi but not show the password?
Mobile camera scanners are programmed to automate network connections for user convenience and privacy in public settings. They pass the credentials directly to the Wi-Fi settings without displaying the plaintext password on screen.
What if the WiFi password contains semicolons or colons?
The Wi-Fi QR standard escapes special characters by placing a backslash (\) before semicolons, colons, commas, and backslashes. When entering the password manually, remove the escape backslash (for example, \; becomes ;).
By Toolsque Team. Steps checked against Apple Support: Find your saved Wi-Fi passwords on iPhone or iPad and Android Help: Connect to Wi-Fi networks and Microsoft Support: Connect to a Wi-Fi network in Windows, October 2026.