How to Share a Wi-Fi Password on iPhone, Mac, and Android

• Apple devices make Wi-Fi password sharing easy using the Internet Sharing settings associated with these devices.
• Android users can share Wi-Fi passwords by generating QR codes, which requires you to access your network details, generate a QR code, and scan it to connect.
• Generating a QR code is a necessary step for sharing passwords across iOS and Android devices.

Whether at the office or at home, someone will most likely ask you to share your Wi-Fi password so they don’t have to use their mobile data. If you follow best security practices when connecting to or sharing a Wi-Fi network, you should have a password that includes symbols, numbers, and capital letters. Sharing complex passwords verbally can be inconvenient, and giving out your password isn’t secure. The easiest and safest way to share a Wi-Fi password is via your device. Read on to learn how to share Wi-Fi passwords through an iPhone, Mac, and Android.

Set up Devices Before You Start

Follow these steps to ensure the device is properly set up for Wi-Fi:

• Turn off personal hotspots on both devices.
• Turn on both devices’ Wi-Fi and Bluetooth — the one you’re sharing from and the one you’re sharing to. If you run into issues with your Wi-Fi network, troubleshooting Wi-Fi should be easy. In some cases, restarting the devices and reconnecting to the network can solve the problem.
• Make sure both devices are within Wi-Fi and Bluetooth range.

Mac to iPhone

Apple makes sharing Wi-Fi passwords between its devices quick and straightforward as long as they have the latest iOS, iPadOS, and macOS versions.

Step 1: Open System Settings > General > Sharing.

Step 2: Click on the “i” icon next to Internet Sharing. If you’re not signed in to your Apple ID, you need to authenticate by entering a password or using Touch ID.

Step 3: You will see an option to share a password using Wi-Fi. Select Wi-Fi > OK.

Step 4: You will get a prompt asking if you want to turn on internet sharing. Click on Start.

iPhone to iPhone

iPhone-to-iPhone sharing is simple, but it does require a few steps:

Step 1: The person requesting to connect to your Wi-Fi should be listed in your Contacts using their Apple ID email address. If they’re not in your Contacts, you need to add them.

Step 2: Both iPhones must be unlocked and connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Step 3: Select the Wi-Fi network on the device you want to connect.

Step 4: The device that’s sharing the password will get a Wi-Fi password prompt asking for permission to share the password. Tap on Share Password.

Android to Android

Sharing a Wi-Fi password from an Android device is slightly more involved, but it’s not difficult. First, you’ll need to generate a QR code, which you can do using the built-in or third-party QR code scanner.

Step 1: Click on Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi, then tap on the gear icon next to your connected Wi-Fi network. It’ll be on the top of the list if you’re already connected to the Wi-Fi network.

Step 2: You can share on the Network Details display by clicking on the QR Code above. Tap on this and a QR code will appear on the screen.

Step 3: If prompted to verify your identity, use your fingerprint or enter your QR code.

Step 4: Scan the QR using the camera on the phone that’s trying to connect.

iPhone to Android

If you have to share a password between iPhone and Android, you’ll need a QR code-generating app such as Qrafer or Visual Codes, which are free to download and use. The apps will require you to enter a service set identifier (SSID), security type, and network password to generate a QR code, which Android users can scan to connect to the Wi-Fi network. The SSID is the public name of the network found in the Wi-Fi settings.

Risks of Sharing Passwords

Although sharing Wi-Fi is unavoidable at times, you should be aware of the security and data privacy risks:

• If someone commits illegal activities on your network, which has a unique IP address, you could get into trouble with authorities.
• A device with a strain of malware can spread the malware to other devices on the network.
• If you use the same password for other accounts, you can have a case of unauthorized access to those accounts.
• If a malicious actor gets on your network, they can hack into your device to steal data, including your identity.

It’s best to proceed with caution when you share your password and secure your home Wi-Fi network to minimize security threats. If a malicious actor is able to infiltrate the network, they can use your Wi-Fi to perform illegal downloads. If you have an internet cap, they can use up that data, leading to additional charges. In some cases, a hacker can gain unauthorized access to your network or device to steal personal data or spread malware on your devices.