How to view your Wi-Fi password on your smartphone: all the working methods

Forgot your home Wi-Fi password, or has the sticker on your router worn off? Or need to connect a new gadget but can't remember the password? A smartphone that's already connected to the network can be your savior. In this article— 5 proven methodsHow to view saved Wi-Fi password Android And iPhone, including methods without superuser rights.

Important: Not all methods work on the latest versions of operating systems. For example, Apple With iOS 16 tightened security policies, and Google V Android 10+ restricted access to system files. We've taken these nuances into account and compiled current solutions that will work in 2026. If your phone hasn't been updated in a while, your chances of success are higher.

Before you begin, please check:

• 📱 The phone is connected to the desired Wi-Fi network (the "Connected" checkbox is displayed in the settings).
• 🔒 You have administrator rights (on Android) or access to Settings → Passwords (on iPhone).
• 📡 The router is turned on and distributing the network (if you turn it off, some methods will stop working).

1. The standard method on iPhone (iOS 13 and later)

WITH iOS 13 Apple Added the ability to view Wi-Fi passwords directly in the settings. This is the easiest and most secure method for owners. iPhone And iPadThe main requirement is that the device must be connected to the network. at the moment.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi.
2. Find your network in the list and tap on the icon «i» (information) on the right.
3. Click on the field Password — the system will ask Face ID, Touch ID or the device passcode.
4. After authentication, the password will be displayed in plain text. You can copy it or view it (click the eye on the right).

Restrictions:

• ❌ Does not work for networks to which the phone was previously connected but is not currently connected.
• ❌ On iOS 12 and older this method is not available - use alternative methods.

2. View your Android password through settings (without root)

On most smartphones Android (except Samsung and some models Xiaomi) You can see the Wi-Fi password through the standard menu. This method works on Android 9 and older, but may differ depending on the shell (MIUI, ColorOS, One UI and others).

Universal instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi & Networks (or just Wi-Fi).
2. Tap on the name of your network (it should be marked as "Connected").
3. Find the item Share, QR code or Password (on some phones it is hidden under Additionally).
4. The system will ask PIN code, graphic key or fingerprint. Once confirmed, the password will appear below the QR code.

Exceptions:

• 📱 On Samsung With One UI This method only works on Android 10+On older versions you need root.
• 📱 Xiaomi on MIUI 12+ may require verification through an account Mi.
• 📱 On Huawei With EMUI the password is sometimes hidden behind a paragraph Additional options.

3. Using a QR code to transfer a password

If your phone does not show the password in plain text, but allows you to generate it QR code To connect other devices, this is a workaround. A QR code scanner can be used to extract the password from the encrypted data.

How to do it:

1. On your phone connected to Wi-Fi, find the network settings item Share or QR code (see previous section).
2. Generate a QR code and take a screenshot.
3. Open the screenshot on your computer or another phone and scan it using a service like ZXing Decoder (online) or applications QR Scanner.
4. Find the lines in the decrypted data S: (network name) and P: (password).

Please note: Some manufacturers (such as Samsung) encrypt QR codes in their own way. In this case, this method will not work.

In this example the password is 12345678, and the name of the network is MyHomeNetwork.

4. View password via file system (only for Android with root)

If your phone has root rights, you can extract the password directly from the system file, where Android Stores network data. This method works on all OS versions, but requires caution—incorrect actions can disrupt the system.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (e.g. Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Follow the path:

   /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml

   or (on newer versions of Android):

   /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStoreSoftAp.xml

3. Open the file in a text editor and find the section with your network. The password will be in the line:

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

Warnings:

⚠️ Warning: Changing or deleting files in /data/misc/wifi/ may lead to loss of all saved networks or a Wi-Fi module failure. We recommend backing up the file before editing.

Alternative way (for some firmware):

/data/misc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf

In this file, passwords are stored in encrypted form (line psk="..."), but they can be deciphered using online services like WPA-PSK Calculator.

5. Alternative methods (if nothing helps)

If standard methods don't work, try these options:

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

Important: Resetting your router will result in the loss of all settings, including your network name, password, and ISP connection settings. Use this method only as a last resort.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

When trying to view a Wi-Fi password, users often encounter common problems. Here's how to solve them:

• 🔄 The phone does not show the "Share" or "Password" option. → Update your firmware to the latest version or use the QR code.
• 🔒 The system requires a Google/Mi/Apple account password. → If you forgot your account information, restore it through the manufacturer's official website.
• 📵 The QR code is not scanned. → Try a different scanner (for example, Google Lens) or increase the screen brightness.
• 🛑 The WifiConfigStore.xml file is empty. → The network may be saved in a different file. Check. /data/misc/wpa_supplicant/.

⚠️ Please note: On some phones (e.g. Sony Xperia or Nokia on clean Android) Passwords are stored encrypted, even for root users. In this case, only a router reset will help.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions