Authentication of an Internet-of-Things (IoT) device comprises receiving, by a proxy application executing on a mobile device during a registration process, a device identifier associated with the IoT device. The proxy application transmits the device identifier to a router of the wireless network. The proxy application receives the device identifier from the router in response to the router receiving an authorization request with no network password from the IoT device for access to the wireless network, where the router forwards the device identifier to the proxy application. The proxy application prompts the user of the mobile device to enter the password, and transmits the entered network password to the router, such that the router validates the password and grants the IoT device access to the wireless network, the IoT device transmits the IoT device identifier to the router for subsequent network connection without a need for the mobile device.