The situation of needing to connect a new gadget to a wireless network, but the password has long been forgotten or written down in an inaccessible place, is familiar to many smartphone owners. In the ecosystem Xiaomi And Redmi This problem is solved quite simply, but the algorithm of actions may differ significantly depending on the installed version of the operating system and shell MIUI or HyperOSModern versions of Android allow you to view saved access keys directly in the settings interface, but older models require more complex manipulations.
Device owners should be aware that data security In recent software updates, access to hidden characters has become a priority, so access to hidden characters is often blocked by default. You may need to verify your identity via biometrics or a digital screen unlock code. In this article, we'll cover in detail all current methods for extracting network keys, from standard system tools to specialized utilities.
Before you proceed, make sure your device is connected to the networkThe device you need to know the password for, or at least has successfully connected to it before. If the smartphone has never connected to the router, you won't be able to find the key remotely through the phone's settings—you'll need physical access to the router itself. Let's look at how to proceed in different usage scenarios. Android processor-based Snapdragon And MediaTek.
Standard features of Android 10 and later
Starting with the tenth version of the operating system Google, the function for viewing saved passwords was built directly into the settings interface. On smartphones Xiaomi And Redmi This mechanism is implemented through generation QR code, which contains an encrypted connection string. To use this method, go to the menu Settings and select a section Wi-Fi.
Click on the name of the active network or the arrow to the right of it. The system will prompt you to share access by generating a graphic code. At this point biometric protection may request a fingerprint or facial recognition scan. If you don't have a fingerprint scanner, you'll need to enter a pattern or PIN to unlock your device.
After successful authorization, the following will appear on the screen: QR code. Under it, depending on the firmware version MIUI, the password text string may be displayed immediately. If the text is hidden by asterisks, take a screenshot or simply save the code image to your gallery.
It's important to understand that on some global firmware versions, the display of text under the code may be disabled by the manufacturer for privacy reasons. In this case, you'll need to use a third-party decoder or QR reader app, which we'll discuss in the following sections. The main thing is that the presence of the code means the access key has been successfully retrieved from the system storage.
Using Google Lens to transcribe
If the password isn't written in text under the QR code image, don't despair. The fastest way to extract the hidden information is to use the system's built-in features or an app. Google LensThis method does not require installation of additional software and works on most modern Redmi And Poco.
Take a screenshot of the screen with the QR code. Then open the app. Google or Google Photos, select the photo you took and press the button Search by image (lens icon). The system will analyze the image and recognize the text string hidden within the code patterns.
In the analysis results you will see a string of the following format:
WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:SuperSecret123;;
Here password is located after the symbol P: and before the double colon ;;In our example, this is SuperSecret123This method is universal and works even when the interface MIUI Hides the text display.
An alternative could be any third-party barcode scanner from Play MarketThe principle is the same: you upload an image, and the app reads the data. However, using built-in tools Google It is safer because it does not require granting unnecessary permissions to unknown developers.
Method via router settings
If your phone isn't connected to the network or the QR code methods don't work, you can try finding the password through the router's web interface. To do this, your smartphone must be connected to a Wi-Fi network (even without internet access) or connected to the router via a cable. OTG adapter.
Open your browser and enter the gateway IP address in the address bar. This is usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1The exact address is often written on a sticker under the router's body. You'll need to enter the administrator's login and password. By default, this is often admin/admin, but if you have changed them before, use your data.
☑️ Checking access to the router
Once in the control panel, find the section Wireless or Wireless modeIn the subsection Wireless Security (Security) will be a field PSK Password or Wireless network keyThe current password is displayed there in clear text. If the text is replaced by dots, check the box. Show Password (Show password).
⚠️ Attention: If you reset your router to factory settings (using the Reset button), all passwords and provider settings will be lost. Only do this if you know how to reset your internet connection.
This method is good because it allows you not only to find out, but also change password To a more complex one if you suspect that your neighbors have connected to your network. After changing the key, all devices will require reconnection.
Password recovery apps
In the store Google Play There are many utilities that promise to display saved keys. However, there's an important caveat: without permission Root (superuser) applications do not have access to the system file wpa_supplicant.conf, where all the data is stored. Therefore, most programs work on the "show a QR code" principle, which we've already discussed.
However, there are useful tools that structure information. For example, the app WiFi Password Viewer or similar apps. They scan a list of known networks and attempt to visualize the data. If you don't have root access, the app will prompt you to back up your profiles or generate a connection code.
| Application name | Root is required | Functional | Safety rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi Password Viewer | Yes (for full access) | View all saved networks | Average |
| WiFi Map | No | Find shared passwords nearby | High |
| Instabridge | No | Auto-connection and sharing | High |
| WiFi Analyzer | No | Channel analysis, not passwords | High |
Using third-party software always carries risks. Apps may request excessive permissions, such as access to contacts or geolocation. Be extremely careful when installing programs with low ratings or a small number of downloads, as they may contain advertising modules.
The Dangers of Free WiFi Hackers
Many apps with names like "WiFi Hacker" or "Password Cracker" are fake. They don't hack networks, but merely display random passwords or force you to watch ads. Real WPA2 hacking is impossible from a phone without dictionary attacks and powerful hardware.
Synchronization via Google account
Modern smartphones Xiaomi automatically sync Wi-Fi passwords with your account GoogleThis means that if you've ever connected to the network from this account on any device (tablet, another phone, laptop), the password may be available in the cloud.
To check this, follow this path Settings → Google → Autofill → Google Autocomplete. Select an item PasswordsFind your Wi-Fi network in the list that opens. The system will ask you to confirm your identity, after which it will display your username and password in plain text.
This method is one of the most reliable, as it does not depend on the version MIUI or having root rights. It works at the operating system level. AndroidIf you recently switched from one phone to another and restored your data from a backup, your passwords should have transferred automatically as well.
Problems with access and superuser rights
Users with devices with rights Root (received through Magisk or built-in developer tools in older versions MIUI), have direct access to the file system. The password file is located at /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf.
To view this file you will need a file manager with Root support, for example, Root Explorer or MT ManagerOpening the file with a text editor will display a list of all networks in the following format:
network={ssid="Home_WiFi"
psk="MyPassword123"
key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
}
Here psk — this is the password we are looking for. However, obtaining root rights on modern Xiaomi And Redmi difficult: bootloader unlocking required through official service Mi Unlock, which results in a complete data reset and a wait of 7 days (168 hours).
⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader and rooting will void the device's warranty. Furthermore, highly secure banking apps and services (Google Pay, Mir Pay) will no longer work without sophisticated bypass methods (Magisk Hide, Zygisk).
If your goal is simply to find out the password, gaining root access is unnecessary and risky. It's better to use the QR code or Google account methods described above. These methods are secure and don't compromise the system's integrity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to find out a Wi-Fi password if the phone has never connected to this network?
No, it's impossible to use your phone's software to find out the password for a network it's never connected to and whose data hasn't been synced from the cloud. This violates the security principles of the WPA2/WPA3 protocol. Physical access to the router or knowledge of the provider's admin panel password would be required.
Why doesn't my Xiaomi Redmi display the password text under the QR code?
It depends on the shell version MIUI and the regional firmware version. In some builds (especially global ones), the text is obscured for security reasons. Use a screenshot and Google Lens to decipher it, as described in the second section of the article.
Are password viewer apps safe to use?
Using verified apps from the official store Google Play Highly rated apps are generally safe unless they require suspicious permissions. However, apps that promise "jailbreaking" or require root access for basic functionality can be dangerous. The best method is to use the system's built-in tools.
What should I do if I forgot the password for my router's admin panel?
If standard admin/admin If they don't work and you haven't changed the password yourself, try looking at the sticker on the bottom of the router. If the password has been changed and forgotten, a full reset of the router using the button will help. Reset (press and hold for 10-15 seconds), after which you will have to set up the Internet again.