Sharing passwords used to be a pain.
Apple smoothed over the rough edges in iOS 18. Before that, the system pinged other iOS devices when a connection was needed. One tap, done.
But that only worked for Apple gadgets. If your friend was rocking an Android, you were stuck digging for the actual characters. It was messy. Now it is cleaner.
Here is how to see, copy, and dump that credential on your iPhone or iPad.
Inside Settings
First thing: you need to be connected. Or at least, have been connected. And stay near the router so it actually shows up in the list.
Launch Settings. Go to Wi-Fi.
- Find the network you want to share.
- Tap the blue (i) icon next to the name.
- Tap Password. Your face, fingerprint, or passcode gets the green light to reveal the secret.
- Hit Copy.
It’s in your clipboard now. Paste it in an email, text, or Slack channel. Or just say it out loud. Your choice.
The key is proximity. Be near the network or forget about it.
The Passwords App
iOS 18 brought something new: a dedicated Passwords app. It keeps Wi-Fi keys safe in a digital vault.
If you are on iOS 17 or older? You won’t see this app. Stick to Settings. But if you are on a newer version, you have two ways to look. Maybe one is easier to remember than the other.
- Open Passwords. Authentication is mandatory.
- Select your Wi-Fi network from the list.
- Tap the password field itself.
The hidden dots vanish. A copy option appears right away. Grab it. Send it. Move on.
Why did Apple change the UI just to add a layer?
Nobody really knows. But now the code is where it always should have been. Just a few taps away. No hunting.
The ball is in your court to actually send it to someone.
