Share WiFi Password iPhone to iPhone: Easy Steps

What You Need Before You Start

Apple’s password‑sharing feature works between iPhones (and iPads and Macs) running iOS 11 or later. Before you try it, check these basics:

• Both devices must have Wi‑Fi turned on (the feature uses Wi‑Fi for the transfer).
• Bluetooth must also be enabled on both iPhones — it helps the devices discover each other.
• Both iPhones must be signed in to iCloud with an Apple ID. They don’t have to be on the same Apple ID, but each needs an active iCloud account.
• Keep the two phones physically close — within a few feet — and unlocked.
• The person receiving the password must be on the Wi‑Fi selection screen (Settings → Wi‑Fi, or the Control Center Wi‑Fi button).

If any of these conditions is missing, the share prompt may not appear. For example, if Bluetooth is off, the two phones may not see each other, and the feature silently fails.

How the Sharing Feature Works

Apple’s password sharing is built into iOS and uses a combination of Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi to create a short‑range, encrypted handshake. When the receiving iPhone tries to join a network that the sending iPhone already knows, iOS checks that both devices are in the same room (via Bluetooth signal strength) and that both are signed into iCloud. Then it displays a card on the sending iPhone: “Share Password?” with the network name and a “Share” button.

The actual password is never shown on the sending phone — it’s transmitted directly to the receiving device and automatically filled into the password field. This means the person receiving the password doesn’t see it either; they just get connected. If you need to see the password later, you can find it in the Wi‑Fi settings (tap the i icon next to the network and use Face ID or Touch ID to reveal it).

This method works only for Wi‑Fi networks that the sending iPhone is currently connected to or has previously joined. You can’t share a password for a network you’ve never connected to.

Step‑by‑Step: Share a Wi‑Fi Password

1. Unlock both iPhones — Make sure both are awake and unlocked. If a phone is locked, the share prompt won’t appear.
2. Turn on Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth — On both devices, open Control Center and confirm that both icons are blue. (Settings → Wi‑Fi and Settings → Bluetooth also work.)
3. Open the Wi‑Fi settings on the receiving phone — Go to Settings → Wi‑Fi and tap the network you want to join. A password field will appear.
4. Bring the phones close — Hold the sending iPhone near the receiving one. The sending phone will show a pop‑up: “Share Password?” with the network name.
5. Tap “Share Password” — On the sending iPhone, tap the blue Share button. The password is sent instantly.
6. Wait for the connection — The receiving iPhone will join the network automatically. You’ll see a checkmark next to the network name.

If the prompt doesn’t appear, try moving the phones closer, or lock and unlock the sending phone. Sometimes toggling Wi‑Fi off and on on both devices helps.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Even with everything set up, things can go wrong. Here are the most frequent issues and what to do:

• No share prompt appears — Check that both phones have Bluetooth on, are within a few feet, and are both signed into iCloud. Restart Wi‑Fi on both devices and try again.
• Prompt appears but tapping Share does nothing — This can happen if the receiving phone’s Wi‑Fi screen is not active. Make sure the password field is visible on the receiving phone.
• “Unable to Share Password” message — Usually means the sending phone isn’t connected to that network right now, or the receiving phone has already joined a different network. Disconnect the receiving phone from any other Wi‑Fi.
• Both phones are on the same Apple ID — If both devices use the same Apple ID, the password might already be synced via iCloud Keychain, and the share prompt may not appear. In that case, just enter the password manually or use Keychain.

If you’re still stuck, a quick restart of both phones often clears the glitch. Also make sure neither phone is in Low Power Mode — that can interfere with background Bluetooth.

When You Can’t Use the Share Feature

There are a few situations where Apple’s share button simply won’t work:

• The receiving phone is not an Apple device (Android, Windows, etc.) — the feature is iOS‑only.
• The sending phone is not connected to the Wi‑Fi network and has never joined it before.
• One of the devices has Wi‑Fi or Bluetooth turned off.
• Both devices are not signed into iCloud (or are signed into different iCloud accounts without the other’s permission).
• The network is a public or enterprise network that requires a username/password, not just a passphrase.

In those cases, you’ll need to share the password manually. You can read it from the sending iPhone’s Wi‑Fi settings (tap the i icon, then the password field, and authenticate with Face ID/Touch ID) and type it into the other phone.

Alternatives: Sharing the Password Another Way

If the automatic sharing fails or you’re with an Android user, you have other options:

• QR code — Some routers and third‑party apps can generate a QR code that, when scanned with the iPhone’s camera, instantly joins the Wi‑Fi. This works for any phone.
• Read the password aloud — On your iPhone, go to Settings → Wi‑Fi, tap the i icon next to the network, tap the password field, and authenticate. The password will appear in plain text. Then you can type it into the other device.
• iCloud Keychain — If both devices are signed into the same Apple ID, the password may already be saved on the other device. Check Settings → Wi‑Fi and see if the network appears with a checkmark.

For Android users, the QR code method is the easiest — they can scan it with their camera app (on most Android phones) and connect without typing.

Is Sharing a Wi‑Fi Password Safe?

Sharing a password via Apple’s feature is generally safe because it’s encrypted and only works between devices that are physically close and signed into iCloud. The password is never displayed on the sending phone, and the receiving phone doesn’t store it in a readable format (though it does save it to the Keychain).

However, be aware that once you share a password, the recipient can join that network anytime in the future and can also share it with others. If you’re sharing a password to a sensitive network (like your home router), consider whether you trust the person. You can always change the Wi‑Fi password later if needed.

Also, never share your Wi‑Fi password with someone you don’t know, and avoid sending it via text message or email — those are not secure. The built‑in sharing method is much safer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn’t the share password prompt appear on my iPhone?

The most common reasons are: Bluetooth is off, the phones are too far apart, one phone isn’t signed into iCloud, or the receiving phone isn’t on the Wi‑Fi selection screen. Check all these and try again.

Can I share a Wi‑Fi password from iPhone to Android?

No, Apple’s share feature is only between Apple devices. For Android, you can use a QR code generated by a third‑party app or read the password aloud from your iPhone’s Wi‑Fi settings.

Does the receiving iPhone need to have the sending iPhone in their contacts?

No, that’s a common myth. Apple’s feature doesn’t require a contact relationship. Both phones just need to be near each other and have the prerequisites met.

Will sharing a password work if both iPhones are on the same Apple ID?

Yes, but it may not show the share prompt because the password is already synced via iCloud Keychain. In that case, just go to Wi‑Fi settings on the other phone and tap the network — it should connect automatically.

Can I share a Wi‑Fi password with an iPad or Mac?

Yes, the feature works with any Apple device running iOS 11, iPadOS, or macOS High Sierra or later, as long as the other device has Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth on and is signed into iCloud.

What if I’m trying to share a password for a network that requires a username and password (like a hotel)?

Apple’s share feature only works for networks that use a simple password. For enterprise or captive‑portal networks, you’ll need to enter the credentials manually.

Sources: Apple Support. Menus and buttons can differ slightly by version. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.