How to find your Wi-Fi password on Android: all the ways to extract it from settings

You connected to a Wi-Fi network a month ago, entered the password, and conveniently forgot it. Now you need to connect a new device, but where can you find that ill-fated code? Android smartphones Passwords for saved networks aren't displayed in plain text in the default settings, but they can be extracted in several ways. In this article, we'll look at all working methods, including hidden menus, system files and third-party utilities.

It is important to understand that access to passwords depends on the version Android and the manufacturer's shell. On Samsung One UI or Xiaomi MIUI the path to the settings may differ from the "clean" one Android on Google PixelWe'll cover universal solutions, as well as nuances for popular brands. If your phone is rooted, you have access to additional features, but even without root rights There are working options.

Please be advised that some methods require technical expertise. For example, working with ADB Manipulating system files or files can cause problems if not done carefully. However, most methods are safe and don't require any special knowledge.

1. Standard method: Wi-Fi settings (Android 10 and newer)

Starting from Android 10, Google added a feature to view passwords directly in network settings - but only for current connectionIf you are connected to the correct network, follow the instructions:

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi.
2. Tap on the name active network (there will be a sign next to it that says “Connected”).
3. Click on the icon ⚙️ Settings (or "Share").
4. Select Share (on some phones - "QR code").
5. The system will ask for confirmation. PIN code, fingerprint or pattern.
6. After authentication, a screen will open with QR code and a text string password underneath it.

⚠️ Attention: On phones Xiaomi (MIUI 12+) and some models Huawei This method may not work—only a QR code is displayed instead of a password. In this case, proceed to the next methods.

Check your Android version (must be 10+)|Make sure your phone is connected to the right network|Know your screen unlock PIN|Disable your VPN (may block access to settings)

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This method is the simplest, but it only works for current networkIf you need to retrieve the password for another saved network, read on.

2. View the password through the "Router Settings" (universal)

If you have access to router web interfaceYou can view the password directly in its settings. This will work even if the phone isn't connected to the network:

1. Find out Router IP address (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1). It can be found on the sticker on the device body.
2. Open the browser on your phone and enter this address in the address bar.
3. Enter your login and password to log in (by default, it is often admin/admin or admin/password).
4. Go to the section Wi-Fi (or Wireless network, Wireless).
5. Find the field Password (or Password, Key) - the current security key will be displayed there.

🔹 Advantages of the method: Works for any network, even if the phone is not connected to it.

🔹 Flaw: requires access to the router and knowledge of its credentials.

On some routers (for example, TP-Link or ASUS) The password may be hidden behind asterisks. In this case, click the eye icon (👁️) or check the "Show password" box.

3. Extracting passwords through system files (without root)

Android stores Wi-Fi network passwords in an encrypted file. wpa_supplicant.confOn . non-rooted devices it can be extracted using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a debugging tool. This method works on most phones, but requires a connection to a computer.

📌 Step-by-step instructions:

1. Turn on Developer mode on the phone:
   • Go to Settings → About phone.
   • Tap the item 7 times Build number (or MIUI version on Xiaomi).
   • Return to Settings → System → Developer Options.
   • Activate USB debugging.

adb devices

adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml

⚠️ Attention: On Android 9 and newer, the file may be encrypted. In this case, this method won't work—try alternative methods.

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For Android 11+ The file path may differ. Try an alternative command:

adb pull /data/misc/apexdata/com.android.wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml

4. Using third-party applications (with or without root)

If the previous methods don't work, you can use specialized utilities. We'll look into three types of applications:

• 🔓 For non-rooted phones: WiFi Password Viewer (requires ADB), WiFi Key Recovery.
• 🛠️ For rooted devices: Root Browser, ES File Explorer (with root access enabled).
• 📱 Universal: WiFi Map (shows public networks), Instabridge (stores passwords in the cloud).

🔹 Example of working with WiFi Password Viewer:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Connect your phone to PC and activate USB debugging.
3. Launch the app and click Start.
4. The program will automatically extract all saved passwords and display them in the list.

⚠️ Warning: Be careful with apps that request root access. Some may contain malicious code. Check reviews and ratings on Google Play before installing.

Manufacturers often modify Android, adding their own skins. This affects the layout of settings and the availability of functions. Let's look at the nuances for popular brands:

• 📱 Samsung (One UI):
  • The password can be viewed through Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi → ⚙️ (network settings) → Share.
  • On older models (before Android 9) required Samsung Smart Switch to extract data.
• 🧡 Xiaomi (MIUI):
  • In MIUI 12+, the password is hidden behind a QR code. To view it, you need to scan the code with another device.
  • On rooted phones, passwords are stored in /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml.
• 🤖 Google Pixel (pure Android):
  • Supports the standard method of viewing the password via "Share" (with Android 10).
  • ADB commands work without any additional settings.
• 📱 Huawei (EMUI):
  • The password can be exported as a QR code, but the text string is not displayed.
  • Requires use HiSuite to backup Wi-Fi settings.

🔹 Advice for owners Xiaomi: If the QR code is not scannable, try taking a screenshot of the screen with the code and processing it through an online service like ZXing Decoder.

• 🔄 Resetting the router to factory settings:
  • Click the button Reset on the back of the router and hold for 10-15 seconds.
  • After the reset, the network will be named by default (for example, TP-Link_1234), and the password is indicated on the sticker.
  • ⚠️ Minus: all router settings (including PPPoE, DHCP, Port forwarding) will be reset.
• 📱 Backing up Wi-Fi settings:
  • On rooted phones you can copy the file wpa_supplicant.conf through Titanium Backup or Root Explorer.
  • It will help without root. Swift Backup (requires unlocked bootloader).
• 💾 Export via PC:
  • Connect your phone to your computer and use Moborobo or MyPhoneExplorer to extract Wi-Fi data.