Tired of narrating random sequences whenever someone asks for your WiFi? Unsure about how to share your WiFi password? Fret not, we’ve got the ultimate guide to turn you into a WiFi-sharing maestro.
In this article, we’ll show you how to share your password on various devices, security measures you must consider and discuss common troubleshooting to help you unlock the secret to effortless password-sharing. Are you ready to up your game?
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How To Share Your WiFi Password
Today, a secure WiFi password is not a word or a phrase but a sequence that looks like a mouse ran over your keyboard. Writing it on sticky notes and pasting them on a wall is one way to share passwords. But you’ll often have to answer whether it’s an O or a 0. Not to mention the security concerns that come from having your home network password written on a refrigerator.
Thankfully, now we have the technology to truly automate the sharing process without you having to memorize or write gibberish. Here’s how you do it on different operating systems:
iOS
Apple allows you to share WiFi passwords using Bluetooth across all its devices. Here are things you need to do before you begin:
- Update your systems to the latest iPadOS and macOS High Sierra. Phones can have iOS 11 or later versions.
- Turn on Bluetooth and WiFi on both devices. Turn off personal hotspots.
Turn on Bluetooth and WiFi.
- Log into iCloud on both devices. Make sure to have each device’s Apple ID/email ID saved in each others’ contacts.
- Bring both devices within the Bluetooth and WiFi range.
Now perform the following on your guest’s iPhone:
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to the WiFi option.
- Select the network you want to connect to and wait.
Select the network and wait.
On your phone, open the Settings app and do the following:
- Go to your WiFi option.
- Select the network you want to share.
- You’ll get a pop-up asking if you want to share your network’s password with your guest’s Apple ID.
- Click Share Password.
Tap on Share Password on the following pop-up. Source
Android
Android lets you generate QR codes that your guests can scan to connect to your home network. Here’s how you do it.
- Go to your Settings App.
- Open WiFi.
- Connect to your network.
Open WiFi and connect to your network.
- Tap on the connected WiFi to open the Settings module.
The WiFi settings page.
- Select the QR Code or Share Password option depending on your device model and brand to generate a QR code.
Scan the QR code to connect to WiFi.
You can then ask your guests to scan the QR code using their phone’s camera. They’ll get a pop-up to confirm their connection to your WiFi.
Windows
The first Windows 10 package had WiFi Sense, which allowed you to share passwords to known devices. But due to security concerns, they disabled it in Windows 10 v1803 and later versions. Here’s how you can check if you have WiFi Sense:
- Press the Windows key and go to Settings.
- Click on System in the left column.
- Scroll down to About.
Windows Settings page.
- Check your Windows Edition and Version.
Windows About page.
If it’s a version of Windows 10 1803 or higher, then you won’t have the service. On Windows 11, there aren’t straightforward ways to share WiFi passwords other than telling or typing them yourself.
To avoid the struggle, you can consider creating a mobile hotspot to offer your guests internet access. Here’s how you can do it:
- Open the Windows Start column and go to Settings.
- Find the Network & Internet option in the right-hand column.
- Click on Mobile Hotspot to open its settings module.
Windows Network & Internet page.
- Select the Edit Properties option to set a name and password for your device’s hotspot.
- Turn on the Mobile Hotspot.
Windows mobile hotspot settings page.
Now, your guests can find your hotspot while searching for WiFi and connect to the network using the password you set.
FAQs
If you’re in an Apple ecosystem, sharing WiFi passwords is a breeze. Just bring your devices close together. If both are running the latest iOS versions, your iPhone or Mac can securely share the password with another Apple device over Bluetooth. No more pesky manual entries!
For Android users, the process isn’t as seamless, but fear not! While Android devices don’t directly allow WiFi password sharing, you can still make life easier for your guests. Simply generate a QR code for your WiFi network and let guests scan the code with their smartphone camera to connect to your network.
Sharing your iPhone’s internet connection with others is a cinch with the mobile hotspot feature. Simply navigate to your iPhone’s settings, tap on “Personal Hotspot,” and toggle the switch to turn it on. Once activated, others can connect to your WiFi network, using its cellular data to access the Internet. Easy peasy, sharing the Internet on the go!
Sharing your WiFi password can be safe if you take a few precautions. Here are some quick tips to ensure your home network’s security:
- Change default credentials: Update your WiFi name, password and router admin credentials.
- Upgrade encryption: Ensure your router uses modern WPA2 or WPA3 encryption.
- Verify identities: Double-check who you’re sharing with, especially with outsiders like technicians.
- Centralize and secure: Position your router centrally and secure it physically to prevent tampering.
- Set up guest networks: Segregate guest access from your main network to limit exposure.
- Monitor connected devices: Regularly check and manage devices connected to your WiFi for any anomalies.
Wrap Up
Are you ready to ditch the confusion and frustration? Armed with the knowledge of how to share your WiFi password, essential security measures and troubleshooting tips, you’re now ready to become a true maestro.
How’re you planning to implement these newfound skills? Any additional tips or tricks you’d like to share with fellow readers? Share your experiences below!