Extract Wireless Password KB ID 0001945
Problem
I got a new mobile phone last week. I use my phone as a wireless hotspot for my camper van, and so my granddaughter can get online with her tablet, etc. So imagine my frowny face when, despite using the Samsung migration software, the hotspot ID and password had changed to “Pete’s S26 Ultra”. I’m too lazy to change all the devices in my camper to the new details, so I thought I’d simply change the hotspot back to the old SSID and password. That’s fine, except I didn’t have the old password.
Ive covered this for Windows client many times, but my primary machine is my macbook, so that what I needed to extract it from.
Solution
MacOS: Extract Wireless Password
the fist challenge is to see what you mac is calling you wireless network card, in most cases its en0 (including mine) but to see yours listed and find the right one use the following command;
networksetup -listallhardwareports
Then list the ‘remembered‘ SSIDs using the following command;
networksetup -listpreferredwirelessnetworks en0
With any luck you will see the SSID in question on the list, in my case its ‘TELLmyWIFIloveHER‘ (hilarious eh!) Use that to define the password.like so.
security find-generic-password -ga "TELLmyWIFIloveHER"
You will be asked to enter you username and password (for obvious reasons).The password will be displayed as shown.
Related Articles, References, Credits, or External Links
Windows – Backing up, Transferring, and Restoring Wireless Network Settings
Windows – Export / Recover WEP and WPA Wireless Keys
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