How to Share Wi-Fi Passwords on iPhone, Android, and More

Updated 8 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Sharing a Wi-Fi password lets someone join your network without having to type a long or complicated password. The easiest method depends on the devices involved: iPhones and many Android phones can share access directly, while other devices can use a QR code or the router’s password. Before you begin, connect your own device to the network and confirm you have permission to share it.

What You’ll Need

A phone, tablet, or computer already connected to the Wi-Fi network, or the correct network name and password.
The recipient’s device, with Wi-Fi turned on. Keep it nearby during the process.
For Apple’s automatic sharing, both devices should have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, be signed in to Apple accounts, and have each other’s contact details saved. Keep the devices unlocked and close together.

Step-by-Step

Choose a sharing method. If both people have compatible Apple devices, try the built-in prompt. On Android, look for the network’s Share or QR code option. If the devices do not support a direct method, show the password or display a QR code.
Use Apple’s nearby sharing prompt. On the recipient’s iPhone, iPad, or Mac, open Wi-Fi settings and select the network. Make sure the device that is already connected is unlocked and nearby, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled. A prompt should appear on the connected Apple device. Tap Share Password, then tap Done. The recipient’s device should join automatically. This generally works between compatible Apple devices; it is not a universal way to share with Android or Windows.
Share from an Android phone. On the connected phone, open Settings and go to Network & internet or the equivalent network settings. Tap Internet or Wi-Fi, select the connected network, then choose Share. Confirm your identity if asked. The phone will display a QR code; the recipient can open the camera or QR scanner on their phone and scan it. Menu names vary by manufacturer and Android version.
Connect the recipient by scanning. Ask them to open the camera or a QR-code scanner and point it at the code on your screen. Tap the prompt to join the network if one appears. Keep the code visible and do not post or send it somewhere others can access.
Use a Wi-Fi QR code when direct sharing is unavailable. Some routers, phones, and Wi-Fi settings can create a code containing the network name and password. If your device offers this option, display the code for the recipient to scan. Otherwise, use a reputable QR-code generator that creates a Wi-Fi connection code, and enter the exact network name, security type, and password. Avoid uploading your credentials to an unfamiliar website; creating the code locally is safer.
Enter the password manually if needed. On the recipient’s device, open Wi-Fi settings, select the correct network name, and type the password exactly as shown. Passwords are case-sensitive. Check for easily confused characters such as 0 and O or 1 and l. If you use a written password, share it privately rather than in a public place or group.
Confirm the connection. Wait for the device to show that it is connected, then open a webpage or app to check internet access. If it connects to Wi-Fi but cannot reach the internet, troubleshoot the network rather than repeatedly sharing the password.

Common Mistakes

Selecting the wrong network: Similar names may refer to a guest network, a main network, or a neighbor’s router. Check the exact network name before sharing.
Using an outdated password: A saved connection may still work on your phone after the router password has changed. Verify the current password in the router’s settings or with its administrator.
Expecting every phone to share in the same way: Apple’s password prompt, Android’s QR option, and other device menus differ. Use manual entry if the available devices cannot share directly.
Forgetting the case-sensitive details: A single incorrect capital letter, space, or symbol can prevent a password from working. Check the network name and password carefully.
Sharing credentials too broadly: A QR code contains the network credentials, just as a written password does. Anyone who can scan or photograph it may be able to use it.

Tips

Use a guest Wi-Fi network for visitors if your router provides one. It can keep guests separate from devices on your main network; check the router settings for how to enable it.
Share the password in person or through a private, trusted channel. Avoid putting it in a public post, shared document, or group chat with people who do not need access.
Keep the connected device unlocked and nearby when using automatic sharing. For Apple’s prompt, check that the relevant contact details are saved on both devices if the prompt does not appear.
After a guest no longer needs access, you can change the Wi-Fi password in the router settings. Remember that you will also need to reconnect your own devices using the new password.

Troubleshooting

No Apple sharing prompt appears: Unlock both devices, turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, bring them close together, and confirm both are signed in to Apple accounts and have each other’s contact details saved. On the recipient’s device, select the network again. If it still does not appear, use a QR code or enter the password manually.
The Android Share option is missing: Check that the phone is connected to the network, then open that network’s details in Settings. Menu labels and features vary, and some networks may not allow sharing. Try the phone’s search bar in Settings, update the device if an update is available, or share the password another way.
The QR code will not scan: Increase screen brightness, hold the camera steady, and move the recipient’s phone a little closer or farther away. Make sure the entire code is visible and use the device’s built-in QR scanner if its camera does not recognize it.
The password is rejected: Confirm the recipient selected the right network and that the password is current. Re-enter it slowly, checking capitalization and symbols. If the router password was recently changed, remove or forget the saved network on the recipient’s device, then reconnect with the current password.
The device connects but has no internet: Check whether other devices can access the internet. If none can, restart the router using its normal power procedure and check for an outage or service issue. If only the recipient’s device is affected, turn its Wi-Fi off and on, then reconnect. Contact the network administrator if access controls may be blocking the device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share a Wi-Fi password from an iPhone to an Android phone?
Apple’s automatic nearby sharing prompt is intended for compatible Apple devices. To connect Android, display a Wi-Fi QR code if available or provide the password privately.

Can an Android phone share Wi-Fi with an iPhone?
Often, yes. The Android phone can display a QR code, and the iPhone camera may recognize it as a Wi-Fi connection. If scanning does not work, enter the password manually.

Does sharing a Wi-Fi password reveal it?
Some methods connect the recipient without showing the password as text. A QR code, however, contains the connection details and should be treated like the password itself.

Can I share a password for a network my phone is not connected to?
Usually, you need the current password or access to a device or router that can display it. A saved password may be outdated, so confirm it before sharing.

Is it safe to share Wi-Fi with visitors?
Share only with people you trust. If available, a guest network is a practical option because it can separate visitor access from your main network.

How do I stop someone from using my Wi-Fi later?
Ask them to forget the network, or change the Wi-Fi password in the router settings. Changing it disconnects devices that still use the old password, so you will need to update your own devices too.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.