Finding WiFi ESSID

A Service Set Identifier (SSID) is the name of a WiFi network.

In this article, we’ll show you how to find the SSID of local networks on a range of popular devices.

If its your own network you wish to connect to, the SSID you’re looking for will probably be printed on a sticker attached to your router (unless you’ve changed it).

If you’re connecting to a public WiFi network (for example, at a cafe or airport), it will probably be clearly labeled.

In this article, we look at how to find nearby network SSIDs on: Windows 10 Windows 11 macOS Linux using the command line Linux using NetworkManger Android iOS and iPadOS Chrome OS (Chromebook)

To connect a device to a WiFi network for the first time, you’ll need to know the network’s SSID.

If you’re setting up your home WiFi router, you can usually find a label with “SSID” or “Network Name” and a default WiFi password on the bottom or side of your router.

If your device is already connected to a wireless network, you can find the SSID of the network you’re using as follows:

How to find your SSID on Windows 10 1. Go to your  System Tray → WiFi icon (by default, this is at the bottom right of your screen). 2. A list of available networks (SSIDs) will appear. Your SSID is at the top, with the message Connected, secured.

How to find your SSID on Windows 11 Go to your  System Tray → WiFi icon (by default, this is at the bottom right of your screen). You’ll be able to see the SSID your computer is connected to in the Quick Settings menu.  To see a list of all available WiFi networks, click > next to WiFi button. 

How to find your SSID on macOS Go to the menu bar → WiFi icon → Known networks (or Preferred Network on older versions of macOS). Your current SSID is designated by a colored WiFi icon. 

How to find your SSID on Linux using the command line Open a terminal window and enter iwgetid.

How to find your SSID on Linux using NetworkManger  If you prefer to use a GUI and your desktop environment supports NetworkManager, click the WiFi icon in your notification panel to see a list of available WiFi networks. The SSID of the network you’re connected to is listed at the top.  (Note: details may vary a little, depending on the desktop environment you use.)

How to find your SSID on Android Go to Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi. Your SSID name will be listed under Current network.  (Details may vary a little, depending on which version of Android you’re running.)

How to find your SSID on iOS and iPadOS Go to Settings → Wi-Fi. Your SSID will appear at the top with a checkmark next to it.

How to find your SSID on Chrome OS (Chromebook) Go to your system Tray → WiFi icon. You’ll be able to see the SSID your computer is connected to in the notification menu.  To see a list of all available WiFi networks, click WiFi button in the notification menu.

No matter what device you’re using, locating your SSID takes just a few taps or clicks. By following the steps outlined above, you can quickly identify your network name and ensure you’re always connected to the right one.

You can locate your network’s default SSID on your router itself or by looking for your wireless network in the Wi-Fi settings on a wireless-enabled device.

Here’s a quick guide to finding your network’s SSID on Windows, Mac, Android, or iOS:

On a Windows device, follow these steps to find your network’s SSID: Click the Wi-Fi icon in the bottom-right of the taskbar. You’ll see the SSID of the network you’re currently connected to in the pop-up window. Click the arrow next to the Wi-Fi symbol to view the SSIDs of all available nearby networks.

On a Mac device, follow these steps to find your network’s SSID: Click the Wi-Fi icon in the top-right of the menu bar. You can find the SSID of the network you’re currently connected to in the pop-up window. Click “Other Networks” if you want to see the SSIDs of other nearby networks.

On an Android phone, follow these steps to find your network’s SSID (steps vary slightly by Android model and operating system): Go to Settings > Connections or Network & internet. The SSID of the network you’re currently connected to will be listed under Wi-Fi.

On an iOS device, follow these steps to locate your network’s SSID: Go to Settings > Wi-Fi. The network you’re connected to will be at the top of the list and indicated with a blue checkmark. It will say something like “Connected to MyHomeWiFi”, so “MyHomeWiFi” is your SSID.

In this article, you'll learn how to locate your router's SSID and broadcast settings.

Locating the SSID: Look for a sticker on your router.

Many routers provided by Internet Service Providers have a sticker on the bottom or side, listing the default SSID.

This is usually labeled as the SSID or "Network Name" and may be located next to a barcode.

Locating the SSID and Broadcast Setting: Log in to your router's settings.

Search through your router for phrases such as SSID or Wireless Network Name.

The terms and locations can change from router to router.

Below are examples for common router brands: D-Link: You can typically find the SSID by selecting the Setup option, and then Wireless Settings.

Enable SSID broadcast by selecting Visible for the Visibility Status.

Netgear: You can typically find the SSID by selecting the Basic settings option, and then selecting Wireless Settings.

The SSID may be labeled as Wireless Network Name.

The option to enable SSID Broadcast is often located by selecting Wireless Settings under the Advanced settings.

Belkin: You can typically find SSID by selecting the Wireless tab and then selecting the Channel and SSID option.

The option to enable SSID broadcast is located here as well.

Linksys: You can typically find the Network Name (SSID) by choosing the Wireless tab, and then Basic Wireless Settings.

The option to enable SSID broadcast here as well.

When you tap and hold the WiFi icon on your device, you’ll see a number of network names or SSIDs in your area.

SSID is a unique network name.

For example, you typically see them in the list of available Wi-Fi networks in your area.

Access points and wireless router networks broadcast their SSIDs to identify themselves.

Your SSID may be printed on the router near the cable ports.

If it’s not there, look on the side or the back of the device.

But it’s usually easier to check the network name through the operating system.

Find the WiFi icon on the bottom right of your screen.

It looks like a dot with three lines.

Click the WiFi icon to see your network’s SSID.

You’ll also see the SSIDs of other networks in your area.

Look on the upper right corner of your screen for the WiFi icon.

Click the WiFi icon to see a list of networks in range and their SSIDs.

Your network’s SSID will be distinguished with a blue WiFi icon while the other network names will be grey.

Finding your SSID on iPhone or iPad is a straightforward task.

Open Settings and then go to WiFi.

Here, you’ll see a checkmark next to your SSID.

Open the Settings app on your Android device.

Tap Connections.

Under “Wi-Fi,” you’ll see your network’s SSID.

Tap your network’s SSID to see the SSIDs of other networks in the area.

To find your network SSID, follow the steps below for the relevant device and operating system.

On a routerTo find the network SSID on your router, you should look for a sticker on the bottom or side of the device. The sticker will contain your default SSID and Wi-Fi password (or network key). However, the sticker won’t help if someone has already changed the router SSID. If you have a device (like a computer or smartphone) that’s connected to the network, you can usually see the SSID in the device’s Wi-Fi settings. Another way of checking your router SSID is by accessing your router’s admin interface:1.Enter the router’s IP address in a web browser.2.Log in with the admin username and password.3.Look for the Wi-Fi settings section — the SSID will be listed there.

On Windows1.Click on the Wi-Fi icon located in the bottom right corner and you will find a list of available networks (SSIDs).2.The SSID of the network you are connected to is shown at the top of the window.

On macOS1.Look for the Wi-Fi icon located in the upper right corner to find a list of available networks (SSIDs).2.The Wi-Fi network you are connected to will have a blue Wi-Fi icon next to it.

On Android1.Go to “Settings” and choose “Wi-Fi.”2.The SSID of the network you are connected to will be shown above “Connected.”

On iOS1.Go to “Settings” and choose “Wi-Fi.”2.The name of the network (SSID) you are connected to will have a check mark next to it.

If you want to connect to your own wireless network but don’t know your SSID, the best option is to connect your router to the computer via an Ethernet cable and log in to its web interface.