Helping someone connect to a new WiFi network is a regular occurrence. It’s likely you’ve done it many times at home or work. In this article, we’re going to examine the easiest ways to share WiFi passwords between devices, the risks associated with insecurely sharing your WiFi password, and the safest way to do it.
How to share a WiFi password
Depending on your device, there are different ways of sharing your WiFi password and helping someone connect to your network. Apple and Microsoft allow you to share access to your WiFi network without sharing a password, which is secure between devices but not always possible cross-platform.
Where to find your WiFi password
First, you’ll need to have the password itself. You’ll likely be able to find your default WiFi password somewhere on your router (together with its default SSID(new window)). Check on the underside for a label displaying basic information about the device, and if there are any detachable covers or flaps, check those too. You may have also received the password on a piece of paper when you opened and installed the router, so check the box if you still have it.
Share WiFi password on iPhone or iOS
Apple devices let you share access to WiFi networks between iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Both devices (your device and the device of the person you’re WiFi sharing with) will need the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS High Sierra or later to use this function. You also need to be signed into your iCloud account with your Apple ID and make sure that you both have each other’s email addresses saved in your Contacts.
- Make sure you’re connected to the WiFi network you’d like to share access to and switch on Bluetooth on your device.
- The person you’d like to share your password with will need to go to Settings → Wi-Fi and then select your WiFi network
You’ll receive a pop-up notification on your device asking if you’d like to share your password. Select Share password and access will be granted to your WiFi network.
Share WiFi password on Android
If you’re using an Android device, you can use its WiFi password-sharing function to share with someone using a smartphone.
- Head to your device’s Settings menu — you can swipe down on your home screen to find it in the top right corner of the screen. It may be located in a few different places depending on your Android device, but look for the ⚙ icon.
- Tap Connections. This will take you to your WiFi settings. Make sure you’re connected to the network that you’d like to share access to.
- A settings ⚙ icon will appear on the WiFi network you’re connected to. Tap this, and select the QR code icon.
- Your device will generate a QR code that can be scanned to grant access to your network.
Share WiFi password between platforms and devices
It’s more difficult to share your WiFi password when you need to share it cross-platform (meaning between two different devices, such as a mobile device and a laptop). Both the methods listed above require specific types of devices as well as physical proximity.
If you need to share your WiFi password ahead of a guest’s arrival, or your guest can’t scan a QR code to join your network, these methods won’t work. In this case, it might seem obvious to send the password via text or email, or write it down for them but this puts your WiFi network’s security at risk.
The risks of sharing your WiFi password
Sharing your WiFi password might not feel like a risk, but it is. Your WiFi network contains a lot of sensitive information. Your computers, laptops, phones, game consoles, and data-collecting smart devices, such as camera doorbells and thermostats, are all connected to your network. Every time you share your WiFi password in an insecure way, you risk giving bad actors access to your network and enabling them to compromise any connected devices.
Hackers can either attack the connection between your router and your WiFi provider, or your router itself. They can do this by using software to successfully guess your WiFi password(new window), or exploiting security gaps in your router(new window).
If a bad actor gains access to your WiFi network, they can wreak havoc. This includes taking over your security cameras to spy on you(new window), and using ransomware software to blackmail you(new window) into sharing personal information. If you share your WiFi password via text or email and the wrong person sees it, the consequences could be severe.
There’s evidence that access to your WiFi network is tempting for hackers — Microsoft has had its attention drawn to a bug in its WiFi drivers(new window), which could have allowed hackers to install malware on devices via their home networks. There will always be risks associated with connecting to the internet due to bad actors seeking to exploit your personal information, but it’s within your control to protect yourself and your home network.
Use secure links to share your WiFi password
Secure links are the safest method to grant access to your WiFi network, no matter what device you’re using or how close you are to the person you’d like to grant access to. You can control how many times the link is opened and when it expires.
Here’s how you create secure links using Proton Pass:
- Create a secure note with your wifi name and password
- Share the secure note via secure link. Choose how many times it can be viewed and an expiration date.
- Send the link to your chosen recipient.
It’s incredibly easy and secure, allowing you to share information in just a few clicks. Using a secure link, you can share your WiFi password, or an entire vault full of passwords with anyone you trust. Limiting the amount of risk you expose yourself to means using the appropriate tools. Proton operates using battle-tested end-to-end encryption, and our software is open-source so that anyone can verify our security credentials. If you’re looking to share your Wi-Fi password securely, Proton Pass can help you do it in just a few clicks.
