How to find network security key on my Android phone

What is a network security key?

A network security key is the password that protects your network. If you have a Wi-Fi router in your home, you'll need a code to connect your device to it. That Wi-Fi password is your network security key.

There are three types of network encryption that are locked using network security keys. One of these will almost certainly be used to protect your home router:

• WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy)

WEP is an outdated wireless security protocol, which can still be used within older systems. It’s easy to break and hard to configure, so we don’t recommend using WEP and putting yourself at risk.

• WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access)

WPA is a successor of WEP. While it’s definitely a more advanced protocol with additional features, WPA is still not very secure and susceptible to cyber attacks.

• WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2)

WPA2 uses AES encryption — the main reason that it’s the most secure wireless network protocol. It encrypts your internet data in order to prevent unauthorized access.

When your network is installed, it will be protected by a complex string of randomized numbers and letters. Like most strong passwords, it can be easy to forget.

If you want to find out what your network security key is or change it, here’s what you need to know.

Where can you find your network security key?

If you have it on hand, you can look at your router itself. The password should be somewhere on its exterior, often printed on a small sticker. If the password isn’t visible on the router itself, check the box it came in or the manual that accompanied it.

To give the password to someone else, you can direct them to do the same, but it’s quite common to store your router somewhere out of the way where you won’t notice it. You don’t really want your visitor having to crawl behind the couch to find it.

There’s a better way. If your computer is already on the wireless network, it will have the network key saved. That allows it to connect automatically as soon as it’s in range, and it also means you can find the information through your device.

Finding a network security key on your router/modem

The first thing that might trip you up is the terminology. Is a network security key the same as a password? Yes – they essentially perform the same function. Each ISP and manufacturer will use slightly different phrasing, so even if you find the sticker on your router, you might not know what you’re looking at.

Here are some other names for network security keys:

• Password
• Network Key
• Wireless password
• WPA key

Once you’ve found the router and identified the network security key on the hardware, you can connect yourself and others right away.

Finding a network security key on a smartphone: Android and iPhone

It takes only a few moments to find your network key on an Android phone. However, keep in mind that these steps might slightly vary depending on a brand you’re using.

1. Go to Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi.
2. Tap on your current network.
3. Scan the QR code to see your Wi-Fi password.

Here’s how to find a network security key on iPhone:

1. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
2. Tap the “i” icon next to your network.
3. Copy your router’s IP address and paste it in your browser.
4. Enter your router’s login credentials to see the password.

Finding a network security key on a Windows 10 device

If you’re unable to find the wireless network key for any reason, but you have a computer connected to the Wi-Fi already, it’s a simple process to access the saved login data. For Windows 10 users, there are seven easy steps.

1. Click the Start Menu.
2. Click Network Connections.
3. Click Network and Sharing Center.
4. Click on the Wireless network icon.
5. Click Wireless Properties.
6. Open the Security Tab.
7. Check Show characters to make the network security key visible.

Finding a network security key through Mac

For anyone using a Mac, it’s a similar process. As long as you know the name of your Wi-Fi network, this should take less than a minute.

1. Open the search function.
2. Search keychain access.
3. In the Keychain Access screen, search for your Wi-Fi network.
4. Click on your network.
5. Check Show Password to make the network security key visible.
6. Enter your Mac password to confirm your access rights.

Enhance your online security and privacy with a VPN.

How do I find my network security key without an internet connection?

If you want to find your network security key on your computer, whether it’s Windows or iOS, you only need to be connected to the network. Even if there’s no actual internet connection, you will still be able to find the network security key by following the instructions listed above. If your computer is not connecting, you will just have to get under the couch, find your router, and look for the key there.

Change your Wi-Fi password

When your router is switched on, the default password will likely be a random collection of characters. It won’t be easy to remember, but you can actually change your Wi-Fi password yourself. It’s a relatively simple procedure, but one that will be essential if you think your network key might be compromised. Keeping your home Wi-Fi protected can prevent Wi-Fi eavesdropping and other hacks, so regularly changing your password will always improve safety.

Network security key mismatch

A mismatch error is a common problem when connecting with your network security key for the first time. It can even occur after you’ve connected. There are three likely reasons for this problem.

• Your device is incompatible

  If you’re logging on to a wireless network for the first time and you're getting a mismatch error, it may be because your phone or laptop is out of date. Routers update and evolve like any other technology, and in the world of smart hardware and connected devices, it’s not uncommon for incompatibility issues to arise. Hopefully, this issue can be resolved by updating your device, or at least its network drivers. If not, you may have to contact your router's or devices' manufacturer tech support.

• Your password is wrong

  The most likely answer is that you’ve typed in the wrong password; we’ve all done it. Network keys are usually quite dense collections of numbers and letters, so it’s easy to miss one digit or character.

  Most login details will be case-sensitive, so make sure you’re getting all upper- and lowercase letters in the right places. A strong password might look something like this: kri5YY@3kjdu5489OiL1%. It can also be useful to type out your password in a note or word processing app so that you can see the text more clearly.

• The router has crashed

  Even if your device is up-to-date and your password is correct, you can still get an error of network security key mismatch if the router has crashed. This happens more than you’d think and will usually be flagged up by a flashing or unusual light on the router itself.

  The best way to fix this is also the simplest. It’s a cliché for a reason: turning your router off and on again will probably resolve the issue.

Take network security to the next level

A network security key isn't the only way to protect your router, of course. You can also use a VPN, or virtual private network. VPNs encrypt traffic so that hackers and data thieves can't see what you're doing online.

By configuring your router to use NordVPN, you can ensure that every device connected to it is encrypted. A standard NordVPN account covers six devices, but your router only counts as one, allowing any number of phones, laptops, and smart TVs to be protected in your home.

While a strong wireless network password is important, encrypting traffic through your router will take your network security to next level.

A network security key is a code or passphrase you enter to connect your computer or mobile device to a private network. For example, if your home Wi-Fi network is secured (as it should be), you enter a network security key to join it. The purpose of a network security key is to prevent unauthorized access to a network and keep your Wi-Fi network secure.

The fastest, easiest way to find your network security key is through your router directly.

1. Log into your home router as an administrator. Menu systems vary among router brands, but most show your network SSID and network security key on the main page.

   Visit the website of your router's manufacturer to learn how to access your router's dashboard.

2. If your network security key doesn't show on the main screen, find Connection, Wi-Fi, or similar in the navigation menu to locate the Wi-Fi connection settings screen. You'll likely see the network security key there.

You also can view the stored network security key on your Android or iPhone. Here's how.

On an Android, the best option if you don't have root access is to install and connect Minimal ADB and Fastboot on your PC. Then, you can access and view the contents of the wpa_supplicant.conf file to see your stored Wi-Fi password.

If you do have root access, try one of these methods:

1. Install ES File Explorer and access Root Explorer. Tap Local > Device to see your device's root folder.

2. Access the root folder, and navigate to misc > wifi to see the Wi-Fi security key in the wpa_supplicant.conf file.

3. Alternatively, install an Android terminal emulator and issue the cat /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf command to view the file contents and see the network security key.

Finding your stored network security key on an iPhone is much easier and doesn't require root access.

1. Tap Settings > iCloud > Keychain. Make sure the Keychain toggle is in the On position.

2. Go back to Settings and turn on Personal Hotspot.

   On your Mac, connect to your iPhone's Personal Hotpot.

3. Press the CMD and Space keys on your Mac to open the Searchlight utility. In the search field, type keychain access and press Enter.

4. Type the name of your Wi-Fi network (the SSID), then double-click the SSID.

5. Select the Show Password checkbox. You might need to type your Mac's admin password to display the password.

The easiest way to find your Wi-Fi password is if you've already connected to the network with your Windows 10 PC.

1. Click the Start menu, and type Network Status. Select the Network status system settings utility.

2. In the Network Status window, select Change adapter options.

3. In the Network Connections window, right-click the active Wi-Fi network adapter and select Status.

4. In the Wi-Fi Status window, select Wireless Properties to open the Wireless Network Properties window.

5. Select Security. Then, under Network security key, select Show characters.

   This will reveal the network security key for your wireless network.

On a Mac, you'll find the network key (password) in Keychain Access.

1. Open Finder and select Go > Utilities. Click Keychain Access.

2. Select login, and scroll through the list of network connections to find your active network. If you don't see the active network, select System and find the active network there.

   On Mac OS X systems older than version 10.6.x, in the Keychains window, select All Items. Scroll through the list of network connections to find your active network.

3. Under Name, select your active network. Under the Attributes tab, check Show password.

4. Enter your Mac Administrator or Keychain password and select OK.
   

5. Find the network password in the Show password field. 

Every secured network has a network security key, but not every network uses the same mode of security. Types of network security include:

• WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy): Encrypts data between clients using a static encryption code.
• WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access): Uses a unique packet-mixing function and integrity checks.
• WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2): Uses a security protocol with pre-shared key (PSK) authentication. In the case of enterprise users, WPA2 uses an enterprise authentication server. 

You can check which security method is enabled by accessing your router.

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