It's quite common for smartphone owners to need to connect a new gadget to their home network but have forgotten or lost the password. Xiaomi with shell MIUI People often wonder where exactly the access keys are stored in the system. Fortunately, modern versions of the operating system Android, starting with the tenth, allow you to view saved credentials without requiring superuser rights. This makes the data recovery process much easier and safer for the average user.
In this article, we will examine in detail all the available methods for extracting passwords on models. Redmi 9We'll look at the system's built-in tools, cloud synchronization capabilities, and specialized PC utilities. Understanding how network key storage works Android, will help you not only solve the current problem, but also secure your network in the future.
It is worth noting that the menu interface may differ slightly depending on the firmware version. MIUI or HyperOSHowever, the basic logic of the system remains the same across all brand devices. Below are proven algorithms that are applicable to most configurations.
Viewing via QR code in WiFi settings
The easiest and fastest way to find out your WiFi password Redmi 9 — this is using the built-in QR code generation function. This method works on all devices with Android 10 and higher, which fully complies with the specifications of this model. You won't need to install third-party software or connect to a computer.
To begin, open your smartphone's standard settings menu. Find the section Wi-Fi and make sure the wireless module is activated. Click on the name of the network you are currently connected to or on the arrow to the right of the name. In the connection details window that opens, you will see a button Share or icon QR code.
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware versions MIUI When attempting to generate a code, the system may request to unlock the screen using a PIN, pattern, or fingerprint. This is a standard security measure to prevent unauthorized access to your data.
After successful authorization, a square code will appear on the screen. Below it, the password itself is often (but not always) written in plain text. If you don't see the text, don't worry. You can take a screenshot or simply point the camera of another phone with a scanner app installed (or the built-in scanner in the camera). Xiaomi) to this code.
The scan result will show a format string WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:MyPassword;;The required access key will be located after the symbol P:This is the most reliable standard method, which does not require deep intervention into the system.
Using the Mi Cloud service
Ecosystem owners Xiaomi have the unique ability to sync WiFi passwords across your account Mi Account. If on your Redmi 9 If syncing is enabled, access keys can be saved in the cloud. This is especially useful if you lose access to your current connection or reset your phone.
You can check for saved data through the web interface or phone settings. Go to Settings -> Mi Account -> Cloud -> Data management. Make sure the switch is opposite the item Wi-Fi active. If syncing was previously enabled, your data is already in secure storage.
Unfortunately, directly viewing your password in plain text within the phone's menu via Mi Cloud is often not possible for security reasons. However, this feature is critical for restoring access after a complete device reset. When logging into your account on a new device or after a reset, the phone will automatically prompt you to restore saved networks.
What to do if sync was turned off?
If Wi-Fi syncing was disabled in Mi Cloud when the network was saved, the cloud method won't work. In this case, the password is stored locally in a secure partition on the phone's memory and can only be retrieved using methods described elsewhere in this article, such as a QR code or ADB.
For users who frequently change devices or prefer cloud-based solutions, it's recommended to keep this feature enabled. This will eliminate the need to manually enter long and complex character combinations each time they switch devices.
Extracting a password via a computer and ADB
A more advanced method that requires a computer and a USB cable involves using a debug bridge. Android Debug Bridge (ADB)This method allows you to access system configuration files, which store all passwords ever entered. This method works even if the phone's screen is broken, as long as USB debugging is enabled.
Before starting the procedure, you need to activate the developer menu. To do this, go to Settings -> About the phone and quickly click 7 times on the item MIUI versionAfter the developer mode activation message appears, return to the main settings menu and find the section Additionally -> For developersYou need to turn on the toggle switch here. USB debugging.
☑️ Getting Started with ADB
After connecting your phone to the PC, open a command prompt or terminal in the folder containing the ADB utility. Enter the following command to test the connection:
adb devicesA debugging permission request will appear on your smartphone screen, which you must confirm. Next, to obtain the password file, run the following command:
adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml c:\WifiConfigStore.xmlThis command will copy the configuration file to your computer's C drive. The file WifiConfigStore.xml contains all network data in clear text or as decodable hashes.
⚠️ Note: On modern versions Android file access
WifiConfigStore.xmlThis method may be restricted without root access. If the command returns an access error, this method will not work without root access.
Open the resulting XML file with any text editor (for example, Notepad), find the tag PreSharedKeyThe value inside this tag will be the password being searched for. This is the most technically complex method, but also the most powerful for experienced users.
Viewing via a file manager with root rights
If your Redmi 9 has an unlocked bootloader and installed rights Root (for example, through Magisk), the process of extracting the password becomes trivial. Root privileges provide full access to the file system, including protected system directories.
You will need a file manager with root access support, such as Root Explorer, Solid Explorer Or use the built-in Explorer with elevated rights. Navigate to:
/data/misc/wifi/There is a file in this directory WifiConfigStore.xml or wpa_supplicant.conf (Depending on your Android version). Open it as text. You'll see a list of all networks in tags. <network>Inside each block, look for the line psk="YOUR_PASSWORD".
| Parameter | Description | Where to find |
|---|---|---|
| SSID | Wireless network name | Tag<ssid> |
| PSK | The password itself (Pre-Shared Key) | Tag<psk> |
| KeyMgmt | Encryption type (WPA2, WPA3) | Tag<KeyMgmt> |
| Priority | Connection priority | Tag<priority> |
Using root access carries certain risks. Incorrectly modifying system files can lead to unstable WiFi operation or even a device reboot loop (bootloop). Therefore, it is recommended to only read the file, and not edit it unless absolutely necessary.
Mi Router app features
If you are a happy owner of a router from the company Xiaomi or Redmi, then network management becomes even easier. Official app Mi Wi-Fi (or Mi Home) allows you not only to configure the router, but also to view network parameters, including the password.
After linking the router to the account Mi Account, go to the app and select your device. In the WiFi settings section (often this is WiFi settings -> WiFi password) you'll be able to see your current access key. Furthermore, you can change it from here to something more complex or easier to remember.
This method is great because it doesn't depend on your phone's network connection. You can even reset the password from another device if you have access to the router's administrator account. This makes home network management centralized and convenient.
Common problems and their solutions
When trying to view the password, users Redmi 9 may encounter a number of common issues. It often happens that the "Share" button doesn't appear, or the QR code isn't scanned. This may be due to bugs in a specific firmware version. MIUI.
In some cases, the system requires an internet connection to display the password, creating a vicious circle if the internet is down. It's also worth considering that corporate networks or networks with special security certificates may not display the password in plaintext, even with root access.
Another common issue is incompatibility of encryption formats. If the router is configured to operate only in encryption mode WPA3, and the phone tries to read the data as WPA2, display errors may occur. In such cases, it's best to access the router's web interface through a browser (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and check the settings there.
Is it possible to find the WiFi password on a Redmi 9 without root access?
Yes, it's possible. The easiest way is to use the QR code generator in the WiFi settings. Tapping on a connected network will generate a code. Scanning it on another device will reveal the password in text format. Syncing with Mi Cloud, if previously enabled, also helps.
Where is the WiFi password file stored on Android?
The configuration file is typically located at /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml. However, access to this directory is restricted for regular applications. Viewing the contents of this file requires superuser (Root) privileges or using ADB with appropriate permissions.
What should I do if the QR code doesn't show the password in text?
If there's no text string under the QR code, use another smartphone's camera or a dedicated QR code scanner app. Point the camera at the code, and a connection string will appear in the scan results. Look for the part after the P: symbol; this is where your encrypted password will be.
Are password recovery apps safe to use?
Most apps on the Play Market that promise to "hack" or "reveal" passwords are either useless or contain ads and malware. Without root access, they can't access system files. It's safer to use native Android tools or proven ADB methods.