We’ve all been there—friends or family come over and the first question after “Hi” is, “Hey, what’s your Wi-Fi password?” You fumble through settings or try to recall the complex combination of random letters and numbers printed on the back of your router. Or worse, you’ve changed it and now you can’t remember where you saved it.
Thankfully, if you’re using an iPhone running iOS 11 or later, there’s a much easier way. Apple has made it incredibly simple to instantly share your Wi-Fi password from one iPhone to another—or even to iPads, Macs, and other Apple devices.
In this article, you’ll learn step-by-step how to share your Wi-Fi password from an iPhone with ease, explore advanced options, troubleshoot common issues, and discover a few extra Wi-Fi tips to simplify your life.
1. Can You Really Share Wi-Fi Passwords on iPhone?
Yes, and it’s completely seamless.
Since iOS 11, Apple introduced a feature that allows one Apple device (iPhone, iPad, or Mac) to automatically share the connected Wi-Fi password with another nearby Apple device.
The process is entirely secure and encrypted—no typing required. All you need is Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled on both devices and the Apple ID emails saved in each other’s contacts.
2. When Should You Share Your Wi-Fi Password via iPhone?
This method is perfect for:
- Helping friends or family connect quickly when visiting.
- Connecting your own Apple devices to the same network without typing.
- Sharing Wi-Fi at public events or shared workspaces.
- Letting kids connect their devices under your supervision.
No more shouting passwords across the room or handing your phone over just to copy the settings.
3. What You Need Before You Start
To make this magic happen, make sure the following are in place:
✅ Devices Requirements:
- Both devices must run iOS 11 or later (for iPhones or iPads).
- Macs must be running macOS High Sierra or later.
✅ Pre-check Settings:
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth must be turned on for both devices.
- Personal Hotspot must be off.
- Both devices should be physically near each other.
- The Apple ID of the person requesting the password should be saved in the Contacts of the device that’s already connected to Wi-Fi.
This last point is often overlooked but essential. For example, if you’re sharing Wi-Fi with a friend, make sure you have their Apple ID email saved in your Contacts.
4. Step-by-Step: How to Share Wi-Fi Password on iPhone
Here’s how to do it from start to finish:
📲 Step 1: Unlock Both iPhones
- The iPhone already connected to Wi-Fi must be unlocked and nearby.
- The iPhone requesting Wi-Fi should also be unlocked and open to the Wi-Fi settings screen (Settings > Wi-Fi).
📲 Step 2: Try to Join the Network on the New Device
- On the iPhone that needs access, go to Settings > Wi-Fi and tap the desired network.
📲 Step 3: Wait for a Pop-Up on the Sharing iPhone
- On the connected iPhone, you’ll see a pop-up message:
“Do you want to share the Wi-Fi password for [Network Name] with [Contact Name]?”
📲 Step 4: Tap Share Password
- Once you tap Share Password, the receiving iPhone will automatically fill in the correct Wi-Fi credentials and connect to the network.
📲 Step 5: Tap Done
- After the password is sent, tap Done on the host iPhone.
That’s it—no typing, no QR codes, no copy-paste chaos.
5. How to Share Wi-Fi Password to a Mac or from a Mac
This feature isn’t just for iPhones. It also works between iPhone and Mac, and Mac to Mac as long as both are signed in to iCloud with saved contacts.
💻 To Share from iPhone to Mac:
- On the Mac, go to System Settings > Wi-Fi, and select the network.
- A prompt will appear on the iPhone already connected.
- Tap Share Password to connect the Mac.
💻 To Share from Mac to iPhone:
- On the iPhone, go to Wi-Fi settings and select the same network.
- A message will appear on the Mac asking if you’d like to share.
- Click Share Password.
6. Can You Share Wi-Fi Password with Non-Apple Devices?
Unfortunately, this feature only works between Apple devices.
To share Wi-Fi with an Android phone or Windows PC:
- Open Settings > Wi-Fi on your iPhone.
- Tap the “i” icon next to the connected network.
- Copy the password manually and send it to your friend.
Alternatively, you can create a QR code containing your Wi-Fi info, which we’ll cover later in this guide.
7. Troubleshooting: What to Do If It Doesn’t Work
Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. If the password won’t share, try the following:
🔄 Restart Both Devices
A simple reboot can fix most temporary glitches.
📶 Check Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
Make sure both are enabled. Both devices should be unlocked and nearby.
📱 Update iOS and macOS
Ensure all devices are running the latest software versions.
📇 Check Contact Information
Confirm that the requester’s Apple ID email is saved in the contact list of the device sharing the password.
🔌 Turn Off Personal Hotspot
This feature can interfere with normal Wi-Fi operations.
📤 Move Closer
The devices must be physically close—within a few feet.
8. Extra Tip: How to Share Wi-Fi with a QR Code on iPhone
Apple doesn’t offer this natively, but you can use apps or shortcuts to generate a QR code for Wi-Fi access.
Here’s how to do it using the Shortcuts app (built into iPhone):
- Open Shortcuts and tap +.
- Add action: Ask for Input (for Wi-Fi name).
- Add action: Ask for Input (for password).
- Add action: Text combining SSID and password.
- Add action: Generate QR Code.
- Add action: Quick Look or Share.
This creates a scannable QR code that even Android users can use.
9. Security: Is Sharing Wi-Fi via iPhone Safe?
Yes. Apple uses end-to-end encryption to transmit the password from one device to another.
No password is shown on-screen, so the recipient cannot copy or see it unless you manually provide it.
For added security:
- Only share with people you trust.
- Don’t share if you don’t recognize the device name or Apple ID.
- Change your password periodically to keep your network secure.
10. Alternatives: Other Ways to Share Wi-Fi Password
If you’re not using an iPhone or want alternative sharing methods:
🔑 Use a Note App
- Save your password in the Notes app and lock it with Face ID.
📷 Take a Screenshot
- Capture the password from your router and store it in Photos.
📲 Use Apple’s Password Sharing
- If you’ve saved your Wi-Fi password in iCloud Keychain, it can sync to other devices logged in with your Apple ID.
11. Can You Share Wi-Fi Without Internet?
Yes. The device sharing the password doesn’t need active internet access, only a Wi-Fi signal. But of course, the goal is to help the other person connect to the actual internet.
If your iPhone is in Personal Hotspot mode, others can join via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or USB—but this doesn’t use the same Share Password feature.
Conclusion
Sharing your Wi-Fi password on iPhone doesn’t have to be a hassle. With just a few taps and the right settings in place, Apple lets you instantly and securely share your Wi-Fi network with other iPhones, iPads, and Macs—no typing, guessing, or sticker-hunting required.
From family visits to team meetings, this built-in feature saves time, reduces frustration, and keeps everyone connected without sacrificing your security. And with options like QR code generation and iCloud Keychain, you have all the tools you need to manage Wi-Fi sharing smartly.
So the next time someone asks, “Hey, what’s your Wi-Fi password?”—you can just smile, tap, and share.
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