What Is My Wifi Security Type

Your Wi-Fi security type tells you how your wireless network protects the connection between your router and your devices. The label usually looks like WPA2, WPA3, WPA, or WEP.

The quickest way to find it is to open the Wi-Fi details on the device you’re holding. The steps differ on an iPhone, Android phone, Windows PC, Mac, and TV, so use the section that matches your device.

What “Wi-Fi security type” means

A Wi-Fi security type is the security protocol used by your wireless network. In plain English, it helps protect data moving between your router and connected devices.

You may see one of these labels:

• WEP
• WPA
• WPA2
• WPA3

Most current home networks use WPA2 or WPA3. WEP and the original WPA are older options and are less likely to be used on a newer router.

The security type is separate from your Wi-Fi name, also called the network name or SSID. It’s also separate from labels such as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, and 802.11ax or Wi-Fi 6E.

Those 802.11 labels describe Wi-Fi standards and how devices communicate. They do not tell you whether your network uses WPA2 or WPA3.

How to find your Wi-Fi security type

Look for a setting named:

• Security
• Security type
• Encryption
• Authentication
• Network security

Some devices show the protocol beside the connected network. Others show it only after you open the network’s details. A few devices don’t display it at all. In that case, check the router’s wireless settings.

How to check the security type on an iPhone or iPad

You can start in the Wi-Fi settings:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Wi-Fi.
3. Find the network you’re connected to.
4. Tap the information icon beside the network name.
5. Scroll through the network details.

If your device and software version show the information, look for Security or Security type. It may say WPA2, WPA3, or another protocol.

Some instructions for Apple devices tell you to scroll to the Router entry. That entry shows the router’s address on your network, though it may not itself name the security protocol. Keep looking through the details for a separate security label.

If you don’t see a security type on your iPhone or iPad, that doesn’t mean the network has no security. iOS and iPadOS may not show the protocol on every version or network. Check the router settings instead, or use another connected device that displays more network information.

How to find it on Android

Android menus can look different between phone brands and Android versions. The wording may also change slightly.

Try these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Network & internet, Connections, or a similar network option.
3. Tap Wi-Fi.
4. Select the network you’re currently using.
5. Open its details by tapping the network name, a settings icon, or Advanced.

Look for Security, Security type, or Encryption. The result may be WPA2-Personal, WPA3-Personal, WPA/WPA2, or a similar label.

If the details page only shows the network name, signal strength, IP address, and connection speed, your phone may not show the security protocol there. Try an Advanced section if one is available.

Some Android phones let you share a Wi-Fi network with a QR code. That screen may show the password or network name, but it may not show the security type. Don’t assume the QR code screen identifies the protocol.

For a reliable answer, check the router if your Android phone doesn’t list the setting.

How to check it in Windows 10

Windows 10 usually puts this information in the properties for the connected Wi-Fi network.

Try this route:

1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar.
2. Select the network you’re connected to.
3. Click Properties.
4. Scroll to the Wi-Fi network properties.
5. Look for Security type.

You may see WPA2-Personal, WPA3-Personal, or another label.

You can also try this:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Network & Internet.
3. Choose Wi-Fi.
4. Select the connected network.
5. Open its properties and find Security type.

Windows can also reveal network details by hovering over a network name or right-clicking it, depending on where you’re viewing the available networks. If one menu doesn’t show the security type, use the network’s full properties page instead.

Don’t confuse the security type with the Wi-Fi standard

A Windows screen may show information about the radio type or protocol too. You might see a label related to 802.11, such as 802.11n or 802.11ac.

That is not the answer to “what is my Wi-Fi security type?” Look specifically for Security type. The answer should use a label such as WPA2 or WPA3.

How to see the security type on a Mac

macOS may show wireless details in different places depending on the macOS version.

Start with the Wi-Fi menu:

1. Connect to your home Wi-Fi.
2. Open the Wi-Fi menu from the menu bar.
3. Select the connected network or open its details.
4. Look for Security, Security type, or Encryption.

On newer macOS versions, you may need to open System Settings, choose Wi-Fi, and select the connected network to view its details. On older versions, open System Preferences, choose Network, select Wi-Fi, and look through the connection information.

A Mac may show the network name, IP address, router address, and other connection details without displaying WPA2 or WPA3. If you see an option for advanced Wi-Fi information, check there.

You can also hold the Option key while opening the Wi-Fi menu to view extra connection details. These details can include the Wi-Fi standard and channel. Remember, those are separate from the security protocol. Look for the word Security, not just a label such as 802.11ac.

If your Mac doesn’t list the protocol, the router’s Wi-Fi settings are the next place to check.

How to check the security type on a TV

TV menus vary more than phone and computer menus. The exact names depend on the TV brand and its software.

A typical path looks like this:

1. Open the TV’s Settings.
2. Go to Network, Internet, or Network settings.
3. Select Wi-Fi or the connected wireless network.
4. Open Details, Advanced, or Connection information.
5. Look for Security, Encryption, or Security type.

The TV may show the network name and connection status but leave out the security protocol. That’s common on devices with simpler network menus.

If the TV asks you to choose a security type while joining the network, the available choices can provide a clue. Still, don’t select a different option just to test it. Entering the wrong setting may stop the TV from connecting.

Your router is usually the better source. Open its wireless or Wi-Fi settings from another device and look for the security mode used by the network.

WEP vs. WPA vs. WPA2 vs. WPA3

These names refer to different Wi-Fi security protocols.

WEP

WEP is an old Wi-Fi security method. It’s considered outdated and is less likely to appear on a current home network.

If your router still uses WEP, check whether it supports a newer security option. Older devices may be the reason someone selected WEP, but newer protection is generally the setting to look for.

WPA

WPA replaced WEP and improved wireless security for its time. It is also an older option now.

Some routers show WPA as part of a mixed setting, such as WPA/WPA2. If your network is using WPA on its own, check the router’s available choices for a newer setting.

WPA2

WPA2 is a common security type on home Wi-Fi networks. You may see it written as WPA2-Personal on a router or Windows PC.

The word “Personal” usually refers to a home network that uses one shared Wi-Fi password. Don’t confuse that label with your network name or password.

WPA3

WPA3 is a newer Wi-Fi security option. Some newer routers and devices support it, while older devices may only connect using WPA2.

A router may offer WPA3 alone or a mixed mode that supports both WPA2 and WPA3. The exact wording depends on the router. If your phone, TV, or other household device cannot connect after a security change, check whether it supports the selected mode.

Is my network WPA2 or WPA3?

Check the connected network’s details on your device and look for the Security type field. If it says WPA2, your connection is using WPA2. If it says WPA3, it’s using WPA3.

Don’t use the Wi-Fi standard as a substitute. 802.11n, 802.11ac, and Wi-Fi 6E do not answer the WPA2-or-WPA3 question.

Which Wi-Fi security setting should you use?

For a home network, look for WPA2 or WPA3 in the router’s security settings. WEP and the original WPA are older choices and are less likely to be the right setting for a modern home network.

If your router supports WPA3 and all your household devices connect to it, WPA3 may be available as an option. If you have older devices, a WPA2 setting or a router mode that supports both WPA2 and WPA3 may be needed.

Before changing anything, make a note of your current Wi-Fi name and password. Changing the security setting can disconnect phones, TVs, smart devices, and computers until they join again.

If you’re only trying to identify the current setting, you don’t need to change it. Check your router or open the connected network’s details on your device. Compare the label you see—WEP, WPA, WPA2, or WPA3—with the explanations above.