You can find it on your device if you forget a Wi-Fi password or need to share it. Here’s how to check it on a Chromebook.
Chrome OS does not make this easy. Most devices show saved Wi-Fi passwords, but Chromebooks do not—unless you enable Developer Mode.
Developer Mode gives access to more features, but it is risky. Enabling it erases everything. Google does not provide support, so help may not be available. If issues happen, most users should not use it.
If you want to enable Developer Mode, we have a detailed guide. Once it is on, follow these steps to find Wi-Fi passwords.
Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open the Crosh command prompt.
Follow these steps and press Enter after each command:
- Type shell and press Enter.
- Type sudo su and press Enter.
- Type cd home/root and press Enter.
- Type ls and press Enter.
A code string will appear. Copy it.
- Type cd, paste the copied code, and press Enter.
- Type more shill/shill.profile and press Enter.
You will see a list of network information. Find the line with “Passphrase=rot47:” and copy the random text next to it. That is the encrypted WiFi password.
Type:
echo yourtext | tr ‘!-~’ ‘P-~!-O’
Press Enter. Change “yourtext” to the copied text.
The Wi-Fi password will appear in plain text. This method is complicated for just viewing a Wi-Fi password. Other devices, like Android phones, offer more straightforward ways to check saved Wi-Fi passwords.
