How to view your Wi-Fi password on your phone: all the methods for Android and iOS

Forgot your home Wi-Fi password, and the sticker on your router has worn off? Or need to connect a new device but haven't written down the password? A smartphone that's already connected to the network can be your savior. Depending on your phone model and operating system version, there are several ways to retrieve the saved password—from simply viewing it in settings to using specialized utilities.

It is important to understand that legal methods They only work for networks to which the phone is already connected. If you try to hack someone else's network, it's against the law (regulated in Russia). Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (Regarding unauthorized access to computer information). We will only consider legal scenarios: restoring access to your network or sharing internet with guests.

Modern smartphones store Wi-Fi passwords in encrypted form, but some manufacturers (for example, Xiaomi, Samsung, Google Pixel) allow you to view them through the standard settings. iPhone The situation is more complicated—Apple doesn't provide direct access to passwords without jailbreaking, but there are workarounds. Below, we'll examine all the current methods, taking into account the limitations and nuances.

1. View password in Android settings (without root)

On some models of phones running Android 10+ You can view the password for your current Wi-Fi network directly in the settings. This method works on devices with proprietary skins. MIUI (Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco), One UI (Samsung), as well as on "pure" Android from Google Pixel And Motorola.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi.
2. Click on the name of the current network (the one your phone is connected to).
3. Tap the button Share (or Share (on English firmware).
4. The system will ask for confirmation. PIN code, fingerprint or graphic key.
5. After authentication, a QR code and a text password below it will be displayed.

⚠️ Attention: On phones with Android 9 and below or customized firmware (for example, ColorOS from Oppo) this method may not work. Also, some manufacturers (for example, Huawei) hide the password even on new versions of the OS.

Make sure your phone is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network|

Check Android version (must be 10 or newer)|

Have access to screen unlock (PIN/password/fingerprint)|

Try an alternative browser if the QR code doesn't scan-->

If the buttons Share No, then the manufacturer has blocked this feature. In this case, proceed to the next method.

2. Using a Wi-Fi configuration file (Android only)

Android stores all saved Wi-Fi networks in a file. wpa_supplicant.confAccess to it is possible only with the presence of root rights or through ADB (Android Debug Bridge). The last method works without rooting, but requires connecting the phone to a computer.

Instructions via ADB:

1. Turn it on on your phone Developer mode (Tap the build number 7 times in Settings → About phone).
2. Activate USB debugging in the developer menu.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and run command line:

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

4. Open the downloaded file in any text editor and find the line:

   <string name="PreSharedKey"><your_password></string>

⚠️ Attention: On Android 11+ The file path may differ (/data/vendor/wifi/...). Some manufacturers also encrypt passwords in this file, which will require additional software for decryption.

What to do if the file is encrypted?

On devices with Android 10+ passwords in WifiConfigStore.xml can be encrypted via KeyStoreIn this case, the utility will help. WiFi Password Viewer (requires root) or a Python script for decryption. For details, check the forums. XDA Developers or 4PDA for your phone model.

If ADB seems too complicated, try apps like WiFi Password Viewer (requires root) or WiFi Key Recovery (may not work on all devices). Remember: Installing such applications from untrusted sources may harm the system..

3. Export passwords via backup (Android)

Another legal method is to create a backup of your Wi-Fi settings and extract the passwords from it. To do this, you'll need a computer and software. Android Backup Extractor.

Steps:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and run the command:

   adb backup -f wifi_backup.ab -shared

   Your phone will prompt you to create a backup copy. Confirm by entering your lock screen password.

2. Download Android Backup Extractor (official website) and unzip the archive.
3. In the command line, run:

   java -jar abe.jar unpack wifi_backup.ab wifi_backup.tar

4. Find the file in the resulting archive apps/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db and open it through SQLite Browser.
5. Go to the table secure and find records with name="wifi_ssid" And name="wifi_password".

⚠️ Attention: This method does not work on all firmware versions. On some devices (for example, Samsung With One UI 4+) passwords in the backup may be missing or encrypted.

4. Methods for iPhone (without jailbreaking)

Apple strictly limits access to system files, so iPhone Without jailbreaking, you can only extract a Wi-Fi password using indirect methods:

• 🔄 Via MacBook: If your iPhone and Mac are connected to the same Apple ID and synchronize passwords through iCloud Keychain, then the Wi-Fi password can be found in System Preferences → Apple ID → iCloud → Passwords & Keys (you need to enter your Mac password).
• 📱 Via a router: Connect to the router via a browser (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and look for the password in your wireless network settings. The login and password are often found on the router's sticker.
• 📎 Via an iTunes backup: Using the utility iBackup Viewer (Windows/macOS) You can view saved passwords in an iPhone backup, but only if it is not encrypted.

On a jailbroken iPhone, the password can be extracted via a file /var/preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.wifi.plist or utility WiFi Passwords from the Cydia repository. However, jailbreaking violates the warranty and creates security vulnerabilities.

5. Alternative methods (if nothing helps)

If the above methods do not work, there are radical measures left:

• 🔧 Resetting the router: Click the button Reset on the back of the router (hold for 10-15 seconds). This will reset all settings, including the Wi-Fi password, to factory defaults. The new password will be located on the device's sticker.
• 📡 Connection via WPS: On some routers you can connect to Wi-Fi via WPS (button on the case or PIN code) without knowing the password. After connecting, the password can be changed in the web interface.
• 📞 Contacting your provider: If the router is provided by the Internet provider (for example, Rostelecom, MTS, Beeline), call support - they can reset your password remotely or provide it according to the contract details.

⚠️ Attention: Resetting the router will disconnect all users from the network and require reconfiguration (including settings) PPPoE, VLAN, IPTV if they were used).

6. Method compatibility table

If your case doesn't fall under any of the methods, you might want to consider purchasing a new router with the feature. Wi-Fi EasyMesh - modern models (for example, TP-Link Archer AX6000 or ASUS RT-AX88U) allow you to manage the network through a mobile application, where the password is always available to the owner.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to find out the password for a Wi-Fi network that my phone was previously connected to but is not currently connected to?

On Android without root - unlikely, since the system does not store passwords for unrelated networks. iPhone With jailbreak you can extract all saved passwords through /var/Keychains/keychain-2.db.

If the network is saved in the profile but the connection is lost, try connecting to it again (even without the Internet) and use the methods for the current network.

Will the ADB method work on Samsung Galaxy S23?

On devices Samsung With One UI 5+ (Android 13) access to WifiConfigStore.xml via ADB is limited. However, the button Share In the Wi-Fi settings it works stably.

If ADB doesn't return the file, check if USB debugging is enabled in the mode File Transfer (MTP).

Is it possible to extract the password from a phone if it is locked?

No. All methods require a screen unlock (PIN, pattern, or fingerprint). If the phone is locked, the only option is to reset the router or contact your ISP.

Exception: if the phone was turned on Smart Lock (for example, unlocking via a trusted Wi-Fi network), you can try connecting to that network and unlocking the device.

What should I do if my password in the settings is displayed as dots?

On some firmware (for example, Flyme (from Meizu) the password is hidden by symbols. In this case:

1. Take a screenshot of the screen with the password.
2. Open the screenshot in a graphics editor (for example, Photoshop or GIMP).
3. Increase the contrast - sometimes the dots turn into readable characters.

If this does not help, use the method with ADB or a backup copy.

Is it legal to use Wi-Fi hacking apps?

No. In Russia, the use of password cracking programs (for example, Aircrack-ng, Wifi WPS WPA Tester) is qualified as unauthorized access to computer information (Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) and is punishable by a fine of up to 200,000 rubles or imprisonment for up to 2 years.

Legal alternative: ask the network owner for the password or use guest access (if the router supports it) Guest Network).