security find-generic-password -wa "Network Name"Print the saved password for a Wi-Fi network (asks for your admin credentials).
When to use it
Use this when you need to give a guest your Wi-Fi password, set up a new device, or move to a new router with the same network name.
Steps
macOS 15: the Passwords app
Open Passwords (in Applications), unlock it, choose the Wi-Fi section, select the network and hover over the password to reveal it.From Wi-Fi settings (macOS 13 and later)
System Settings › Wi-Fi › scroll to Known Networks (or Advanced…), click ⋯ next to the network, choose Copy Password, then paste it somewhere.Keychain Access (older macOS)
Open Keychain Access, search for the network name, double-click the entry and tick Show password.Terminal
Replace Network Name with the exact network name (case-sensitive). macOS asks for an administrator name and password before printing it.security find-generic-password -wa "Network Name"
Output explained
The security command prints only the password on one line. If the name doesn't match exactly, you get:
security: SecKeychainSearchCopyNext: The specified item could not be found in the keychain.
Check the network name's spelling, spaces and capitalisation.
Options and variations
| Flag | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -w | Print only the password | security find-generic-password -wa "Home" |
| -a NAME | Match the account (the network name for Wi-Fi) | security find-generic-password -a "Home" |
| -D "AirPort network password" | Limit to Wi-Fi password items | security find-generic-password -D "AirPort network password" -wa "Home" |
Common errors
| Error | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| The specified item could not be found | Name doesn't match the saved network | Check the exact name in Wi-Fi settings. |
| No password shown for a network | The network has no password, or it uses enterprise (802.1X) login | Enterprise networks use your account credentials instead. |
Do it in the app
LightAtom doesn't touch your passwords. Once a new device is on your Wi-Fi, its connections view shows the traffic between your Mac and it.
Frequently asked questions
How do I see my Wi-Fi password on a Mac?
On macOS 15, open the Passwords app › Wi-Fi. On macOS 13 and 14, use System Settings › Wi-Fi › ⋯ › Copy Password. Keychain Access works on every version.
Can I find the Wi-Fi password without admin rights?
You need to authenticate: the Passwords app asks for your login password or Touch ID, and Keychain Access asks for an admin password for system-stored Wi-Fi passwords.
Can I share Wi-Fi with an iPhone without typing the password?
Yes. If your contact info is in each other's contacts, bring the iPhone near your unlocked Mac while it tries to join; the Mac offers to share the password.