Jazmin Li
If you're an Apple user, you may have noticed your device storing your Wi-Fi network credentials as AirPort network passwords. This is because Apple devices have the ability to remember previously connected Wi-Fi networks, which can be both a blessing and a curse. While it's convenient to not have to search for or remember login credentials when connecting to a known network on a different device, it can also lead to a buildup of old networks in your keychain, potentially causing you to unknowingly connect to an insecure network.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is an airport network password? | It is the password you use to log into a Wi-Fi network. |
| Where are airport network passwords stored? | They are stored in the Keychain Access app, in the Utilities folder in your Applications folder. |
| How can I view airport network passwords? | To view airport network passwords, open the Keychain Access app, search for "AirPort", and double-click an entry. Then, select "Show Password" and enter your login password. |
| How can I remove airport network passwords? | To remove airport network passwords, you can either use the Network settings on your Mac or use the nuclear option to delete all Wi-Fi networks, passwords, and network settings on your iOS device. |
| Why should I remove airport network passwords? | Removing old airport network passwords can help prevent your device from automatically connecting to insecure or illegitimate networks. |
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What You'll Learn
How to find an airport network password on a Mac
An airport network password is the password you use to log into a Wi-Fi network, which could be at an airport, train station, hotel, restaurant, or any other public place. Your Apple device will remember these networks and sync them via iCloud, so your other Apple products can access them too. While this is convenient, it can also lead to a build-up of Wi-Fi networks stored in your keychain, and potentially allow you to connect to an insecure network.
To find an airport network password on a Mac, you can use the Keychain Access app. This is located in the Utilities folder in your Applications folder. Once you've opened the app, click the search box at the top right and type "AirPort". You will then see a number of items, including the AirPort base station password, AirPort Disk password, and AirPort network password. Double-click on an entry, then select "Show Password" and enter your login password to view the airport network password.
Another way to find an airport network password on a Mac is by using the AirPort Utility app. This can be found in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder. Once you've opened the app, you will see a list of your devices at the bottom. Click on one to select it. If your Mac already knows the base station password, you can access its info. If not, you will need to search for the base station password in Keychain Access. Once you're in, click the "Edit" button on the device’s info pop-up, and then use the “Base Station” menu at the top to choose “Show Passwords”.
You can also use the AirPort Utility to change your Wi-Fi network's name and password. To do this, open the AirPort Utility app and select the base station you want to configure. Click "Edit" and then "Wireless". Here, you can enter a new name in the "Wireless Network Name" field and a new password in the "Wireless Password" and "Verify Password" fields. Remember to click "Update" to save your changes.
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How to find an airport network password on iOS
The Airport's password is distinct from your wireless network's password. This password is only used to access the Airport's settings. If you want to find your Airport network password on iOS, you can do so by following these steps:
- Find Keychain Access: This app is located in the Utilities folder in your Applications folder. It stores passwords, certificates, encryption/decryption keys, and secure notes, among other things.
- Search for "AirPort": In the search field at the upper right, type "AirPort." All the Keychain entries for your base station will appear, along with other entries.
- Look at the "Kind" column: The entry you want to select will be labeled "AirPort network password" (not "AirPort base station password" or anything else).
- Double-click the entry: After you've found the correct "AirPort network password" entry, double-click on it.
- Select "Show Password": In the window that appears, check the box for "Show Password."
- Enter your login password: In the Password field, type your Mac's Administrator password (the same one you use to log in to that Mac).
- View your password: Click "Allow," and your wireless network password will appear in the "Show Password" field. Make a note of it, then close the window and quit Keychain Access.
Additionally, if you want to remove all saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords on your iOS device, you can do so by going to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings (for iOS 14 or older) or Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings (for iOS 15 or later).
It is a good idea to review and delete old Wi-Fi networks from time to time, especially if you travel frequently and connect to public networks. This will help ensure your device does not connect to insecure networks and protect your personal information.
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How to remove saved airport network passwords on a Mac
When you connect to a Wi-Fi network on your Mac, your device will remember the network and its password. This means that you don't have to search for or manually enter login credentials when connecting to the same network on a different Apple device. However, this can lead to a build-up of saved networks in your Keychain, and you may end up connecting to a network that isn't secure.
To remove saved airport network passwords on a Mac, you can use the Keychain Access app. This app is located in the Utilities folder within your Applications folder. It stores passwords, certificates, encryption/decryption keys, and secure notes. The credentials you use to log into Wi-Fi networks are stored as "AirPort network passwords".
To find these, click the search box at the top right of your Keychain Access window and type "AirPort". You will see a number of items, and the Kind column will show them as AirPort base station password, AirPort Disk password, and AirPort network password. The latter are your Wi-Fi network credentials.
Another way to remove saved Wi-Fi networks on a Mac is through the Mac's Network settings. To do this, open System Settings, then click Network. Click Wi-Fi in the sidebar, then scroll down and click Advanced at the bottom of the settings pane. In the Known Networks section, you will see a list of networks.
It is worth noting that if you use iCloud Keychain, you will need to perform the deletion on a Mac to fully remove the saved networks.
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How to remove saved airport network passwords on iOS
When you connect to a Wi-Fi network on your iOS device, your device will remember the network and sync it via iCloud. This means that your other Apple products can access the network too, if you use iCloud Keychain. This can be both a good and a bad thing. On the one hand, it means you don't have to search for or remember login credentials when connecting to a known Wi-Fi network on a different device. On the other hand, it can lead to a surfeit of Wi-Fi networks stored in your keychain and potentially allow you to unknowingly connect to a network that might not be secure.
If you want to remove all saved Wi-Fi networks on your iOS device, there is a "nuclear option". If you follow these steps, your iOS device will delete all your Wi-Fi networks and passwords, along with other network settings. However, this does not carry over to iCloud Keychain if you are using it, and the only way to fully delete these saved networks is on a Mac. Here are the steps:
- On iOS 15 or later: Settings > General > (scroll down) Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings
- On iOS 14 or older: Settings > General > (scroll down) Reset > Reset Network Settings
Another way to remove saved networks is via Keychain Access. This app is located in the Utilities folder in your Applications folder, and it stores passwords, certificates, encryption/decryption keys, secure notes and more. One of the items it stores as “passwords” is the credentials you use to log into Wi-Fi networks; specifically, they are recorded as “AirPort network password.” To find these, click the search box at the top right of your Keychain Access window and type “AirPort.” You’ll see a number of items, and the Kind column shows them as AirPort base station password, AirPort Disk password, and AirPort network password. (You may not have items in all three categories.) The latter are your Wi-Fi network credentials.
Since iOS doesn't have a keychain utility to go in and surgically remove the stored password, you can also either change the password on the base station to effectively lock out all clients with the old password, or erase the iOS device and refrain from restoring a backup that contained saved passwords onto the device. Encrypted backups of the device typically store keychain items, non-encrypted backups don't save those passwords, so you might try an unencrypted backup, restore the backup and then test if the password was saved in the application bundle.
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How to prevent Apple devices from connecting to insecure airport networks
When you connect to a Wi-Fi network on your Apple device, it will be saved and synced across all your other Apple devices via iCloud. This can be both good and bad. While it means you don't have to search for or remember login credentials when connecting to a known Wi-Fi network on a different device, it can also lead to a build-up of Wi-Fi networks stored in your keychain and potentially allow you to unknowingly connect to a network that might not be secure.
To prevent this from happening, it's a good idea to go through your list of Wi-Fi networks from time to time and delete the ones you no longer need. This will also prevent your device from automatically connecting to networks masquerading as legitimate ones, as the only identifying information for a Wi-Fi network is its SSID (name).
For iOS 15 or later:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap on General.
- Scroll down and tap on Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap on Reset.
- Tap on Reset Network Settings.
For iOS 14 or older:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap on General.
- Scroll down and tap on Reset.
- Tap on Reset Network Settings.
You can also remove individual networks on a Mac by following these steps:
- Open System Settings.
- Click on Network.
- Click on Wi-Fi in the sidebar.
- Scroll down and click on Advanced at the bottom of the settings pane.
- In the Known Networks section, you will see a list of all the networks your device has connected to.
- To remove a network, click on its name and then click the "-" button.
Additionally, you can use the Keychain Access app to view and manage your saved passwords for Wi-Fi networks. This app is located in the Utilities folder within your Applications folder. To find your Wi-Fi passwords, simply search for "AirPort" in the search box, and you will see a list of all the networks your device has connected to.
By following these steps, you can help ensure that your Apple devices do not connect to insecure airport networks.
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Frequently asked questions
An airport network password is the password you use to log into a Wi-Fi network.
You can find your airport network password by opening the Keychain Access app on your Mac and searching for "AirPort".
The Keychain Access app is located in the Utilities folder in your Applications folder.
On iOS 15 or later, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. On iOS 14 or older, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
Removing saved Wi-Fi networks can help to prevent your device from automatically connecting to insecure networks.
