How to View Saved WiFi Passwords on Linux

Linux is a free and open-source operating system that is based on the Unix operating system.

It was created by Linus Torvalds in 1991 and has since become one of the most widely used operating systems in the world. Unlike proprietary operating systems like Microsoft Windows or MacOS, Linux is completely customizable and can be modified by anyone to suit their needs.

It is used in a wide variety of applications, from servers to desktop computers, and is favored by developers and programmers due to its flexibility and powerful command-line interface. Linux is also known for its stability, security, and efficiency, making it a popular choice for enterprise-level applications.

If you have connected to a Wi-Fi network on your Linux machine and can’t remember the password, there are a few ways to view saved Wi-Fi passwords. Here’s how:

Method 1: Using the Network Manager Applet

1. Click on the network icon on your desktop’s system tray.
2. Select “Edit Connections”.
3. Find the Wi-Fi connection you want to view the password for and click “Edit”.
4. Go to the “Wi-Fi Security” tab.
5. Check the box that says “Show Password”.
6. The password for the selected Wi-Fi network will be displayed in the password field.

Method 2: Using the Terminal

1. Open a terminal window.
2. Type “sudo cat /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/[Wi-Fi SSID Name]” (without the quotes) and press enter.
3. Replace [Wi-Fi SSID Name] with the name of the Wi-Fi network you want to view the password for.
4. The password for the selected Wi-Fi network will be displayed in the output.

Method 3: Using the Network Manager Configuration File

1. Open a terminal window.
2. Type “sudo nano /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/[Wi-Fi SSID Name]” (without the quotes) and press enter.
3. Replace [Wi-Fi SSID Name] with the name of the Wi-Fi network you want to view the password for.
4. In the file that opens, you will find the Wi-Fi password listed under “psk=”.

Note: In all of these methods, you will need administrative privileges to view the Wi-Fi password. If you don’t have administrative privileges, you will need to ask your system administrator to view the password for you.

Some FAQs on how to view saved WiFi passwords on Linux:

Q: Can I view saved WiFi passwords on Linux without using the terminal? A: Yes, you can use graphical user interface (GUI) tools like the “Network Manager” or “Wicd” to view saved WiFi passwords on Linux without using the terminal.

Q: How do I view saved WiFi passwords on Linux using the terminal? A: You can view saved WiFi passwords on Linux using the terminal by following these steps:

1. Open the terminal.
2. Type “sudo cat /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/[WiFi network name]” and press Enter.
3. Type your password when prompted.
4. Look for the “psk” line in the output, which contains the saved WiFi password.

Q: Is it possible to view saved WiFi passwords on Linux if I don’t have root access? A: No, you need root access to view saved WiFi passwords on Linux, as the password is stored in a system file that is only accessible to the root user.

Q: Can I edit or delete saved WiFi passwords on Linux? A: Yes, you can edit or delete saved WiFi passwords on Linux by modifying the system file where they are stored. However, it’s recommended that you only do this if you know what you’re doing, as making changes to system files can potentially harm your system.

Q: Are there any GUI tools that allow me to view saved WiFi passwords on Linux? A: Yes, there are several GUI tools that allow you to view saved WiFi passwords on Linux, such as the “Network Manager” and “Wicd”. These tools provide a user-friendly interface for managing your network connections and viewing saved passwords.