How to Share Wi‑Fi Password from iPhone to iPhone: Complete Guide

You’ve probably been there—standing next to a friend, both with iPhones out, trying to get them onto your Wi‑Fi without awkwardly reading a 20-character password aloud. Apple’s been refining that moment for years, but the feature behaves differently than most people assume — here’s exactly how it works, what iOS version you need, and what to do when the prompt doesn’t pop up.

Minimum iOS version for built‑in sharing: iOS 11 ·
Prerequisite for recipient: Must be in your Contacts ·
Required hardware settings on both devices: Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi enabled ·
QR code sharing introduced in: iOS 16 ·
Number of sharing methods covered: 5 (built‑in, QR code, manual, iCloud Keychain, third‑party)

The table below summarizes the key technical requirements and limitations for sharing Wi‑Fi passwords on iPhone.

How do I share my Wi‑Fi password between iPhones?

Prerequisites: Contacts, Bluetooth, Wi‑Fi

• Both iPhones must be running iOS 11 or later (Apple Support)
• The recipient must be saved in the sharer’s Contacts (Apple Support)
• Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi must be enabled on both devices (Apple Support)
• The sharing iPhone must already be connected to the target Wi‑Fi network (Apple Support)

Step‑by‑step process for sharing password

1. Ensure both phones are unlocked and have Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi enabled (Apple Support)
2. On the receiving iPhone, open Settings > Wi‑Fi and tap the network name of the Wi‑Fi the sharer is already connected to (Apple Support)
3. A pop‑up appears on the sharer’s iPhone: “Share Your Wi‑Fi Password” — tap Share Password (Apple Support)
4. The receiving iPhone automatically joins the network. The sharer sees “Password Shared” (T-Mobile)

Troubleshooting common issues

• No prompt appears: Verify Contacts entry exists, both Bluetooth/Wi‑Fi toggles are green, and both phones are within a few feet of each other (Apple Support)
• Prompt appears but disappears: Lock the receiving phone and bring it close again, keeping both hands near each device (T-Mobile)
• Passwords keep failing: Restart both phones and verify network connection on the sharing device (Apple Support)
• Fallback plan: Turn to QR code (iOS 16+) or manually copy the password (Apple Support)

iOS 11 or later supports proximity-based Wi‑Fi password sharing, with QR code sharing available on iOS 17+.

T-Mobile Support

The implication: this convenience relies on a pre‑existing contact relationship, which isn’t always available.

How do I share a Wi‑Fi password from my iPhone to an Android device?

Using QR code to share password

• From iOS 16, go to Settings > Wi‑Fi, tap the info icon (i) next to your connected network, then tap the QR code icon (Apple Support)
• The Android user opens their camera app and points it at your iPhone screen to scan the code and join automatically (T-Mobile)
• Password text is never shown—only the QR code (Apple Support)

Make sure your own device (the one sharing the password) is unlocked and connected to Wi‑Fi. When prompted on your device, tap Share Password.

Apple Support (official documentation)

Third‑party apps for password sharing

• Apps like QRazy or Share Wi‑Fi can generate scannable codes but require full Wi‑Fi password access (T-Mobile)
• Reliability varies—some apps may not work with newer iOS versions
• Security risk: granting app access to saved passwords carries privacy implications

Why this matters: Android users are excluded from Apple’s contact handshake. The QR code method (iOS 16+) at least gives a native workaround without third-party software.

How do I share a Wi‑Fi password from my iPhone to an iPad or Mac?

Sharing to iPad using same Apple ID

• If both devices are signed into the same Apple ID with iCloud Keychain enabled, passwords sync automatically (Apple Support)
• The iPad can join the network from Settings > Wi‑Fi without any sharing prompt
• No proximity required—the password travels through iCloud

Sharing to Mac via iCloud Keychain

• Macs on macOS Ventura or later with same iCloud account inherit Wi‑Fi passwords (T-Mobile)
• Alternatively, use the standard nearby sharing method if the Mac user is in your Contacts (Apple Support)
• Mac must have Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi turned on

The trade‑off: iCloud Keychain is the most seamless path for the same-iCloud household. But if you’re sharing with a friend’s iPad, you need the contact‑based handshake or a manual copy.

How do I show a Wi‑Fi QR code on my iPhone without a password?

How to find the QR code in Wi‑Fi settings

• Open Settings > Wi‑Fi, tap the blue info icon (i) next to your connected network (Apple Support)
• A QR code appears below the password field—tap it to enlarge (Apple Support)
• Let the other person scan it with their camera

What to do if QR code is not visible

• QR codes only appear on iOS 16 or later (T-Mobile)
• If your iPhone is on iOS 15 or earlier, update via Settings > General > Software Update
• Alternative: copy password text and share it manually (Apple Support)

The pattern: QR sharing solves the most common problem—non-Contact recipients—but only if the sharing device has updated to iOS 16. That’s roughly 85% of active iPhones as of 2025.

How do I request a Wi‑Fi password on my iPhone?

How to initiate the connection request

1. Open Settings > Wi‑Fi and tap the network name of the Wi‑Fi the other person is already on (Apple Support)
2. Wait for the password field to appear—then, if conditions are met, the sharer’s phone shows a “Share Password” prompt (Apple Support)
3. If the sharer taps Share Password, your iPhone connects automatically

What to do if the share prompt doesn’t appear

• Confirm both devices have Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi on (Apple Support)
• Verify the sharer has you in their Contacts (Apple Support)
• Bring the phones closer—within arm’s reach—and try again (T-Mobile)
• Fallback: ask for the password manually or use QR code method if available

The pattern for the recipient: the flow works when it works, but it’s passive. You don’t control the prompt—the sharer does. That asymmetry means you should be ready with a manual backup.

For a detailed walkthrough of the built-in method, check out this guide on sharing Wi‑Fi passwords between iPhones.

Frequently asked questions

For anyone managing a household or office of iPhones, the takeaway is practical: the Contact-based handshake handles the most common scenario (guest with saved number), but the QR code is the universal fallback that crosses Android, Windows, and non-Contact gaps. The few minutes to confirm you’re on iOS 16—and that your guest is in your Contacts—saves the awkward 20-character password readout every single time.

Looking to explore more about iPhone capabilities? Check out our review of the iPhone SE 3rd Generation for hardware details, or browse our Outlook setup guide for more productivity tips.