Apple’s nearby password-sharing prompt is handy when a guest wants to join the same network. It depends on both devices being ready, not just your phone knowing the password. Check the setup first; repeatedly opening Wi-Fi settings without changing anything usually leaves the same problem in place.
Keep your unlocked iPhone connected to Wi-Fi. Have the other person select that network on their Apple device, then approve Share Password on yours.
Go straight to the stepsBefore you begin
Share access only to a network you are allowed to share. A guest network may be a better choice for visitors if your router offers one.
What you’ll need
- Two compatible, updated Apple devices
- Permission to share the network
- Each person’s Apple Account contact details
Let’s do this
Step by step
- 01
Check the shared prerequisites
Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices and turn off Personal Hotspot. Each person should be signed into their own Apple Account and have the other’s account email address or phone number in Contacts.
- 02
Get your phone ready
Unlock your iPhone, connect it to the intended Wi-Fi network, and keep the devices near each other.
- 03
Start from the guest’s device
Ask the guest to open Wi-Fi settings and choose the exact network name. Similar names, such as a main network and its guest version, can make this step confusing.
- 04
Approve the request
On your phone, choose Share Password when prompted, then Done. Ask the guest to open a normal webpage to confirm the connection works.
- 05
Troubleshoot once, then use a fallback
If the prompt is missing, recheck the prerequisites and restart both devices. If sharing still does not appear, enter the correct network password manually.
Keep the two phones’ jobs separate
One phone already has the connection; the other is asking to join. If both people keep changing networks, it becomes difficult to tell which side is waiting. Leave the sharing phone connected and unlocked while the guest makes the network selection.
For a family gathering, write down the exact guest-network name before people arrive. That avoids accidentally connecting a visitor to a similarly named printer, extender, or neighbor’s network. Do not post your main password in a public screenshot just to make this easier.
A quick final check
- Both people recognize the intended network.
- The recipient can load a webpage.
- No password was exposed in a public message.
Common questions & sticking points
How do I share Wi-Fi with an Android phone?
The nearby Apple-device prompt described here is not the Android method. Use your router’s guest-sharing option or provide the network name and password directly.
Does this change my Wi-Fi password?
No. It helps another device join the existing network; changing the password is a separate router task.
Sources & further reading Optional
References used to check this guide. Follow your product’s own safety instructions where its design differs.
Last source check: September 21, 2026