How to view the Wi-Fi password on a Samsung phone: all the working methods

Forgot your home Wi-Fi password, and your router sits in the attic under a layer of dust? Or need to connect a new device, but can't be bothered to look for the sticker on the router? On phones Samsung Galaxy With Android 12–15 There are several ways to extract a saved network password—both using standard tools and third-party ones. It's important to understand the limitations and potential risks of each method.

In this article we will look at 5 proven methods, including options for both rooted and non-rooted devices. From simple viewing through Settings before use ADB and backups. We'll also explain why some methods stopped working after security updates. Samsung Knox and how to bypass these restrictions.

⚠️ Important: All instructions are intended only for extracting passwords from your own networks, to which the phone is already connected. Attempts to hack other people's Wi-Fi networks are illegal and may result in criminal liability under Article 272 of the Russian Criminal Code ("Unauthorized access to computer information").

1. Standard method: via Samsung settings (Android 10–15)

Starting from Android 10, Samsung added to the firmware One UI The ability to view passwords for saved Wi-Fi networks—but with some caveats. The feature doesn't work on all models and requires confirmation via Lock PIN code or a fingerprint.

Here's how to do it:

1. Open Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi.
2. Click on the name of the current network (or select any saved network from the list).
3. Tap on the icon ⚙️ Settings (gear) next to the network name.
4. Select Show password (or Share → QR code on some models).
5. Confirm the action via biometrics or PIN code.

If the point Show password no - then it's your model Samsung does not support this feature. This most often applies to devices on Android 9 and below, as well as some operator firmware versions.

⚠️ Attention: On phones with corporate profiles (Samsung Knox) or linked to a work account (Microsoft Entra ID, previously Azure AD) the password viewing function may be blocked by the administrator.

2. Via network QR code (root-less, Android 11+)

If there is no "Show password" option in the settings, but there is an option to generate QR code for connection, you can extract the password indirectly. This method works on most Samsung Galaxy With Android 11–15.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open Settings → Wi-Fi and tap on the desired network.
• 🔗 Choose Share (or Share).
• 🖼️ Click QR code (if the system prompts you to select a transfer method).
• 📸 Take a photo of the QR code with another phone or save it as an image.
• 🔍 Use any online QR decoding app (For example, ZXing Decoder). As a result, you will get text like this:

  WIFI:S:MyWiFi;T:WPA;P:my_password_123;;

  Where P:... - this is the password.

This method is reliable because it doesn't require root access and works even on locked corporate devices (if QR code generation is enabled). However, it's useless if the network is hidden (SSID isn't broadcast) or uses Enterprise authentication (for example, WPA2-Enterprise).

3. Using a file manager (root required)

On phones with obtained root rights Wi-Fi passwords are stored in a system file /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml (or wpa_supplicant.conf (on older versions of Android). To extract them:

1. Install file manager with root access (For example, Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Follow the path:

   /data/misc/wifi/

   or (for Android 9 and below):

   /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml

3. Copy the file WifiConfigStore.xml to any accessible location (for example, to a memory card).
4. Open the file with a text editor and find blocks like this:

   <string name="ConfigKey">...</string>
   <string name="SSID">MyWiFi</string>
   <string name="PreSharedKey">my_password_123</string>

   Where PreSharedKey — this is the password.

⚠️ Warning: Modifying or deleting files in /data/misc/wifi/ may lead to loss of all saved networks or a Wi-Fi module failure. It is recommended to create a backup copy of the folder beforehand.

What to do if the WifiConfigStore.xml file is encrypted?

On some firmware versions Samsung (especially with Knox 3.7+) this file is encrypted. In this case, only specialized software like WiFi Password Viewer (requires root) or manual extraction via ADB with decryption. More on this in the next section.

4. Via ADB commands (without root, but with debugging)

If you have it enabled USB debugging (Settings → About phone → Build number → 7 taps to unlock developer mode), you can extract passwords through ADB even without root. The method works on Android 8–14, but may require additional steps on newer versions One UI.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm access via ADB (a request will appear on the phone).
2. In the PC command line, run:

   adb shell
   su -c "cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml"

   If you don't have root, try this alternative command:

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

3. If the file has been copied, open it and find the tags <PreSharedKey>.

On Android 12+ Samsung blocks access to this file without root, but you can try to bypass the restrictions using a backup copy (see the next section).

⚠️ Attention: Starting from One UI 5.0 (Android 13) Samsung tightened security policies. Even with root access WifiConfigStore.xml may be limited due to Knox GuardIn this case, the only thing that will help is extraction via a backup copy or specialized software like WiFi Password Recovery (requires PC).

5. From a backup (via Samsung Smart Switch or ADB)

If you have ever created anything on your phone backup through Samsung Smart Switch or ADB backupWi-Fi passwords may have been saved in the archive. Here's how to get them out:

Method 1: Via Samsung Smart Switch (without root)

• 📲 Install Samsung Smart Switch on PC.
• 🔄 Connect your phone and create a backup (select "Settings" in the data list).
• 📁 Locate the backup file on your PC (usually in C:\Users\UserName\Documents\Samsung\SmartSwitch\backup\).
• 🔍 Use the utility Android Backup Extractor (Java) to retrieve data:

  java -jar abe.jar unpack backup.ab files.tar

  Look for the file in the unpacked data wifiConfig.xml.

Method 2: Via ADB Backup (Android 8–11)

• 🖥️ Connect your phone to your PC and follow these steps:

  adb backup -f wifi_backup.ab -shared

• 📦 Unzip the archive using Android Backup Extractor.
• 🔎 Passwords will be in the file apps/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db (table secure, key wifi_wpa_psk_*).

⚠️ Limitation: On Android 12+ Samsung Blocks backup of Wi-Fi settings via ADBIn this case, only Smart Switch or root.

Enable USB debugging|Install Samsung Smart Switch on your PC|Create a backup copy by checking the "Settings" box|Download Android Backup Extractor|Check your PC's free space (needs ~1–5 GB)-->

6. Third-party applications: risks and alternatives

IN Google Play Hundreds of apps promise to reveal Wi-Fi passwords "in one click." Most of them either don't work on newer versions One UI, either require root or are outright scams. Here's what you need to know:

Apps that MAY work (but with caveats):

• 🔓 WiFi Password Viewer — works only with root.
• 📡 WiFi Key Recovery - extracts passwords from backups (requires ADB backup).
• 🔍 Network Info II — shows technical data of networks, but not passwords.

Apps that are NOT worth your time:

• ❌ Any programs that promise to "hack Wi-Fi" without root.
• ❌ Apps requesting access to SMS or contacts (a sure sign of a virus).
• ❌ Utilities that require payment before displaying results.

⚠️ Attention: Installing applications from untrusted sources (APK files) on Samsung may cause the alarm to fire Knox And loss of warrantyEven if an app "just shows passwords," it may contain malicious code that collects data.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

When trying to view the Wi-Fi password on Samsung Users often encounter typical problems. Here's how to solve them:

• 🔄 There is no 'Show password' option. → Check your Android version (9 and below don't have this option) or try the QR code method.
• 🔒 "A PIN is required, but I forgot it." → Reset pattern/PIN via Find My Mobile (Samsung account) or Google Account.
• 📵 "ADB doesn't see the device" → Install drivers Samsung USB Driver, turn on USB debugging and confirm access on your phone.
• 🛡️ Knox is blocking access to files. → On new firmware versions, this can only be bypassed through Samsung Smart Switch or root.

If none of the methods worked, there are two options left:

1. Reset the router to factory settings (button Reset on the back panel) and set up Wi-Fi again.
2. Connect to the router via cable (or through another phone) and view the password in the web interface (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

❓ Is it possible to find out the Wi-Fi password on a Samsung device without rooting?

Yes, but with restrictions:

• On Android 10–15 through Settings → Wi-Fi → Show password (if the option is available).
• On any versions through QR code (method with decoding).
• On Android 8–11 through ADB backup (no root, but you need a PC).

On Android 12+ Without root there are almost no options - only if the password is saved in Samsung Smart Switch.

❓ Why did the ADB method stop working after the One UI update?

Samsung with each new version One UI tightens security policies. Starting with One UI 4.0 (Android 12) access to system files is blocked by Wi-Fi even through ADB without root. This is due to:

• Strengthening Knox (corporate data protection).
• Requirements Google on Android Enterprise security.
• By closing vulnerabilities that previously allowed restrictions to be bypassed.

The only way to get around this is by rooting or using official methods (QR, settings).

How do I find the Wi-Fi password on a Samsung phone if it's locked?

If your phone is locked (PIN/pattern forgotten), but was previously connected to Wi-Fi, your options are limited:

1. Unlock via Find My Mobile: Go to findmymobile.samsung.com (requires a Samsung account), select the device and reset the lock.
2. Connecting to PC: If USB debugging is enabled, you can try to extract passwords via ADB (but on a locked phone this is unlikely).
3. Hard Reset: Complete reset of the phone (Power Off → Hold Volume Up + Power → Wipe Data), but this will delete all data, including saved networks.

⚠️ If encryption is enabled on your phone (default on newer phones) Samsung), after Hard Reset it will be impossible to recover data.

❓ Does the password viewer method work on Samsung A52/A53/A54?

Yes, but with nuances:

• Samsung Galaxy A52 (Android 11–13): The "Show password" option is available in the Wi-Fi settings if the firmware has not been modified by the operator.
• Samsung Galaxy A53 (Android 12–14): On One UI 4.1+ PIN or biometric verification may be required.
• Samsung Galaxy A54 (Android 13–15): On One UI 5.1+ The function may be hidden - use the QR code method.

On all these models without root other methods (ADB, files) will not work due to Knox.

❓ Is it possible to find out someone else's Wi-Fi password using their phone?

No, this is not possible without physical access to the router or the owner's consent. All methods in this article only work for networks that your phone is connected to. already connected and the password is saved in the system.

Attempts to brute-force a password or exploit router vulnerabilities:

• They violate Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (illegal access to computer information).
• May lead to MAC address blocking your device on the network.
• New routers are protected WPA3 and brute force prevention mechanisms.

If you really need access, ask the network owner for the password.