The situation when you need to connect a new device to a wireless network, but you have forgotten the access key, is familiar to many smartphone owners. Xiaomi, Redmi And Poco. Fortunately, the operating system Android, on the basis of which the shell works MIUI or HyperOS, has built-in mechanisms for saving network parameters, which makes it easy to retrieve forgotten information without complex manipulations.
Unlike older versions of mobile OS, modern firmware allows the user to view saved credentials directly in the settings interface, provided you have access rights to the menu. However, if you're interested in the physical location of files or the deep structure of the system, the answer lies in system directories, access to which is restricted by security policies.
In this article, we will examine in detail all the methods that allow you to find out where WiFi passwords are stored on Xiaomi, consider standard methods using QR codes, and delve into the file system through ADB and discuss the nuances of working with the brand's routers XiaomiYou'll learn how to safely restore access and understand how network profiles work in Android.
Finding saved networks in MIUI and HyperOS
The easiest and most accessible way to find a forgotten password is to use the shell's standard functionality. Starting with certain versions MIUI (approximately from version 10-11 and newer) and in all current builds HyperOS, the developers have implemented a convenient mechanism for viewing connection data by generating a QR code.
To do this, you need to go to the menu Settings and select a section Wi-FiIn the list of available networks, find the one you're already connected to, or click the arrow next to the network name in the list of saved networks (depending on your interface version). When you click the icon QR code or the icon (share), the system will generate a graphic key.
⚠️ Note: On some global firmware versions, the password may not be displayed as text under the QR code, but rather hidden by asterisks. In this case, the password text can be seen by taking a screenshot and scanning the code with any third-party QR reader, which will display a string similar to this:
WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:MyPassword;;, where after P: and there will be the desired key.
This method doesn't require root access and is the developer's default solution. It's ideal for quickly transferring data to guests or connecting a second device. If the interface doesn't allow you to view text, a more in-depth approach to the file system will be required.
Physical location of password files on Android
As for where connection data is technically stored, the Android operating system uses a special configuration file for this purpose. All saved networks, including their SSIDs, encryption types, and passwords, are stored in XML text format. This file is located in the system partition, which is blocked by default for regular apps.
The path to the file looks like this: /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf (or WifiConfigStore.xml (in newer versions of Android 10+). To access this directory, the device needs permissions. SuperUser (Root)Without them, attempts to open this folder through the file manager will result in an access error.
Inside the file wpa_supplicant.conf The information is structured into blocks. Each block network contains the parameters of a specific access point. The password is stored in the field psk (Pre-Shared Key). If the password was entered in hexadecimal format, it can be hashed, but most often in modern smartphones it is stored in cleartext or in an easily readable format.
network={ssid="Home_WiFi"
psk="SuperSecretPassword123"
key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
priority=1
}
Manual editing of this file is only possible with superuser rights and using specialized file managers such as Root Explorer or MT ManagerCareless changes to the XML syntax or configuration may cause the Wi-Fi module to stop processing connection profiles correctly.
Using ADB to Extract Data Without Root
For users who do not want to gain root rights but need access to system configuration files, there is a tool Android Debug Bridge (ADB)This method requires a computer (Windows, macOS, or Linux) and USB debugging enabled on your smartphone. Xiaomi.
The essence of the method is that you can request a backup of specific partitions through the debug interface or use shell commands to read files if the device's security level allows it. However, it's worth noting that in modern versions of Android (starting from 10 and above), access to /data/misc/wifi/ via ADB is also often limited without root.
However, on some devices with certain security settings or on older OS versions, the following command works to list the contents of the configuration file:
adb shell cat /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.confIf the command returns empty or a "Permission denied" error, the application isolation level (SELinux) prohibits reading. In this case, an alternative is to create a full system backup via adb backup, then unpack the archive on your computer and search for the file inside the backup copy.
How to enable USB debugging on Xiaomi?
To enable developer mode, go to Settings → About phone and quickly tap the MIUI version seven times. Then, in the advanced settings, you'll see "Developer options." Enable "USB debugging" and "Debugging (USB settings)."
Restoring access via the Xiaomi router's web interface
Users often look for the password on their phone, forgetting that the starting point for setup is the router itself. If you have a device from the brand Xiaomi (Mi Router, Redmi Router), you can find out or change the password through the proprietary application Mi Wi-Fi or web interface.
To access the settings, your smartphone must be connected to the router's network (even without internet access). Enter the gateway IP address in the browser's address bar, usually 192.168.31.1 or 192.168.1.1The login and password for accessing the admin panel are often the same as your Wi-Fi password unless you changed them during initial setup.
In the router interface, look for the section Wi-Fi Settings or Wireless network settingsThe current security keys will be displayed there. The advantage of this method is that you can not only see the password but also instantly change it to a more complex one if you suspect unauthorized access.
| Parameter | Default value | Where to change |
|---|---|---|
| IP address | 192.168.31.1 | LAN settings |
| Admin login | admin | System Preferences |
| Wi-Fi password | Wi-Fi settings | |
| Encryption type | WPA2-PSK | Security |
If the default credentials don't work, they may have been changed previously. In this case, the only solution is to reset the router to factory settings using the reset button. Reset on the case, which will lead to a complete reset of all network settings.
Syncing passwords via your Google account
One of the most reliable, yet often overlooked, recovery methods is cloud sync. If your device Xiaomi Your Google account is activated and the backup feature is enabled, and Wi-Fi passwords are stored in the company's secure storage.
This feature automatically restores access to known networks when you reset your phone or buy a new device. When you connect a new smartphone to the same account, the system will automatically offer to connect to previously used networks without having to manually enter the key.
You can check what data is being synchronized in the section Settings → Google → BackupMake sure the switch next to "Passwords" or "Wi-Fi Data" is enabled. This ensures your credentials won't be lost even if your smartphone is damaged.
It's important to understand that viewing the list of saved passwords directly in the Google web interface (as is possible, for example, with website passwords in Chrome) for Wi-Fi networks is not possible for security reasons. They are used only for automatic device authorization.
Android Access Issues and Security Limitations
It's worth mentioning separately why password searching has become more difficult in recent versions of Android. Google is constantly strengthening its security policy by implementing sandboxing for apps. This means that no app downloaded from Play Market, does not have the right to read files of other applications or system configs without special permissions.
This is why many apps with names like "WiFi Password Viewer" in the app store either don't work or require root access. Without root access, they can only show the password you're currently entering, but they can't retrieve old entries from memory.
⚠️ Warning: Installing password viewer apps from untrusted sources (APK files from forums) carries a high risk. Such programs often contain malicious code designed to steal your real data, including banking apps.
If your device is running Android 12, 13, or 14, the system may even block attempts to scan the screen to read a QR code in some protected apps, although this feature usually remains available in the standard Xiaomi settings menu.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to find out the Wi-Fi password on a Xiaomi device without root access?
Yes, this is possible through the standard settings menu. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi, tap the desired network and select "Share" or the QR code icon. The code often displays a text password, or you can scan it with a QR code scanner from another phone.
Where is the wpa_supplicant.conf file located on modern Xiaomi devices?
The file is located at the path /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.confHowever, access to this folder is restricted to regular users. Viewing its contents requires root access or the use of special ADB debugging methods, which may also be restricted in newer versions of Android.
What should I do if the QR code shows a password in the form of asterisks?
Take a screenshot of the screen containing the QR code. Then open any QR code scanner app (or the scanning function in your camera/browser) and upload the screenshot. The app will recognize the code and reveal the hidden string, where after the symbol P: will be your password.
Does resetting my phone reset my Wi-Fi password?
When you perform a hard reset, all saved Wi-Fi profiles are deleted from the device's memory. However, if you enabled Google account sync, passwords may be automatically restored after you log in again.
Are password recovery apps safe to use?
Using such apps is only safe if they are open-source and require root access when running locally. Apps that promise to "hack" your neighbor's Wi-Fi password or that run without root access are 99% fraudulent and pose a risk to your data.