How to find the Wi-Fi password on a Samsung Galaxy in Settings

Modern Samsung Galaxy smartphones feature the advanced One UI interface, which allows users not only to connect to networks but also easily share access to them. It's common to need to connect a new device to your home network, but the password has been forgotten or written down in an inaccessible place. Fortunately, Android, starting with version 10, has introduced a convenient feature for displaying saved security keys.

Device owners Samsung They're at an advantage because their phones' interfaces are incredibly intuitive. You won't need to root or install questionable apps from untrusted sources. All the necessary information is stored in the system settings, which is accessible by default to authorized users.

In this article, we'll detail the steps for various firmware versions, address security issues, and explore the nuances of working with guest networks. You'll learn how to quickly find the data you need and transfer it to other devices without any hassle. Just follow the instructions carefully to avoid getting lost in the menu.

Basic requirements and Android versions

Before you begin searching for saved data, you need to make sure your device technically supports this feature. The feature to view passwords in plain text was introduced in Android 10 and became the standard for all subsequent versions. If your Samsung smartphone runs an older operating system, you won't be able to view the code using standard methods.

Samsung uses its own add-on One UI, which may differ slightly in visual design across different models. However, the logic behind the system settings remains the same across the entire Galaxy lineup, from the budget A series to the flagship S and Z series. It's important to have a lock screen enabled on your device (PIN, pattern, or fingerprint), as the system will require identity verification before revealing sensitive information.

⚠️ Attention: On corporate devices or phones with enterprise administrator profiles installed, the password viewing feature may be blocked by your organization's security policies.

You can check the operating system version by going to the menu Settings → About device → Software informationThe Android version and firmware build number will be listed there. If you're running Android 9 or earlier, you'll have to use alternative methods, such as accessing the router's web interface if you have access to it.

Finding a password via QR code on new versions

The fastest and most modern way to find your passcode is to use the QR code sharing feature. This method works on Samsung smartphones running One UI 2.0 or later, which corresponds to Android 10 and above. You don't need to be connected to the network right now; the network must be saved to your device's memory.

To get started, open Settings and go to the Connections section. Find the list of available networks or the Wi-Fi option. This will display all the access points your phone has previously connected to. Select the desired network from the list and tap the gear icon to the right of its name. In the menu that opens at the bottom of the screen, you'll see the "QR code" button.

• 🔑 Click the "QR code" button to generate an image.
• 👁️ Look at the text under the graphic code - often the password is written there in plain text.
• 📸 Take a screenshot or scan the code with another device to connect.
• 🔒 Use biometrics or a PIN code to confirm access to data.

If the password isn't displayed in text under the QR code, don't worry. You can simply scan the code with the camera of another smartphone (for example, an iPhone or another Android phone), and it will automatically offer to connect to the network. This is a convenient method. share access without dictating complex character combinations.

Instructions for Android 12, 13, and 14 (One UI 4, 5, 6)

In more recent versions of the operating system, the interface has become even more user-friendly. In Android 12 and later, the password is often displayed immediately after completing the security check, without the need to scan the QR code. The process remains similar, but the visual elements may be arranged differently.

First go to Settings → Connections → Wi-FiTap the name of the network you're connected to or saved. In the window that appears, find the "QR code" button at the very bottom. The system will ask you to confirm your identity using your fingerprint, face, or pattern. Once successfully authenticated, a screen with a QR code will open.

Pay attention to the area under the square code. In the latest One UI 5 and 6 builds, the "Password" line is displayed there in large font. You can copy it by clicking the corresponding icon or simply rewrite it. This eliminates the need to search for third-party scanners.

It's worth noting that if you manually changed the password in the router settings but haven't reconnected your phone yet, the old key may still be stored. In this case, it will be the one displayed, and you won't be able to connect using it. Always make sure the information on your phone is up to date.

Using Wi-Fi Sharing

The Samsung and Google ecosystem offers a feature that lets you share Wi-Fi access with close contacts without entering a password. While not quite viewing the code itself, it's an effective way to connect to another device. The feature works via Bluetooth and requires both devices to be signed in to a Google or Samsung account.

To use this feature, make sure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled on both smartphones. Bring the devices close together. A pop-up notification will appear on the phone that's already connected to the network: "Share Wi-Fi" or "Network Sharing." After accepting the request, the second device will automatically receive all the necessary credentials and connect.

This method is especially convenient in an office environment or when you have guests. You don't need to dictate complex characters containing numbers and punctuation marks that are easily confused. The system will automatically transmit the encrypted data packet.

⚠️ Attention: The automatic exchange feature won't show you the password itself in plain text; it will only transfer it to the other device. If your goal is to learn the character combination, this method won't work.

Why isn't public access working?

This feature may not work if Bluetooth is disabled on one of the devices, the screen is off, or the devices are too far apart. Both phones must also be unlocked when transferring data. Make sure "Wi-Fi Sharing" is enabled in Google settings.

Compatibility table of methods and versions

To organize the information and understand which method is best for you, please refer to the table below. It shows the available features depending on the operating system and Samsung shell version.

As the table shows, owners of devices running Android 10 and above are the luckiest. They have access to all modern network access control methods. If your phone doesn't support these features, it might be time to consider upgrading for improved digital security and convenience.

Alternative methods and working with a router

If the phone's default settings don't work, you can try accessing the information through the router's web interface. To do this, your Samsung device must be connected to a Wi-Fi network (even without internet access). Open a browser and enter the router's IP address, which is usually found on a sticker on the bottom of the device (e.g., 192.168.0.1).

You will need to enter your administrator login and password. By default, this is often admin/admin, but it's better to check this information on the router case. Once in the control panel, find the section Wireless or Wi-Fi SettingsThe current security key will be displayed in the "Password" or "Pre-Shared Key" field. You can copy it or change it to a more convenient one.

Another option is to use router management apps from manufacturers (e.g., Keenetic, TP-Link Tether, Huawei AI Life). If you have such an app installed and have previously logged in, the password is often displayed on the main network status screen.

There are also QR code scanner apps. If you've previously saved the network's QR code to your gallery or can ask a friend with access to take a screenshot of the code, any QR code reader will show you the contents of the string. The password you're looking for will be after the prefix. P: in text transcript.

Questions and Answers (FAQ)

Can I view my Wi-Fi password if I'm not currently connected to the network?

Yes, if you've previously connected to this network and your phone has saved it. Simply go to Wi-Fi settings, find the network in the list (it may be marked as "Saved"), and tap it. If the network is hidden or deleted from memory, you won't be able to recover the password without connecting to the router.

What should I do if the QR code contains nothing instead of a password?

In some versions of One UI, the password text may be hidden. In this case, take a screenshot of the QR code and open it using Google Lens or any other QR code scanner on another phone. When scanning, the device will prompt you to connect, and some scanners may also display a text transcript of the connection string.

Is it safe to show a QR code to strangers?

Be careful. Anyone who scans your QR code will have full access to your local network without having to enter a password. Only share the code with trusted people. If you suspect unauthorized access, change the password in your router settings immediately.

Where are Wi-Fi passwords stored on Android?

Passwords are stored in a system file wpa_supplicant.conf, which is located at the root of the file system. Access to this file without superuser (root) privileges is restricted. This is why standard file managers cannot display this file, and the system uses special APIs to display the password through settings after user authentication.