Needing to connect a new device to a wireless network but losing or forgetting the password is one of the most common problems in the digital environment. Smartphone owners Xiaomi, Redmi And POCO People often wonder if it's possible to find out the saved character combination directly from the device's screen without accessing the router's administrative panel. Fortunately, modern versions of the operating system Android and branded shell MIUI provide built-in tools to solve this problem.
Previously, obtaining such data required the presence of Root rights, which was unsafe and complicated for the average user. Today, the procedure has become significantly simpler and more accessible, although it still has its nuances depending on the firmware version. In most cases, the system allows you to generate a special QR code, which, when scanned, displays a text string containing the network security key.
However, there are scenarios where the standard method may not work or the menu interface may differ from what you're used to. In such cases, alternative methods come to the rescue, including the use of debugging. USB Or accessing a physical internet distribution device. Below, we'll take a detailed look at all the current methods, their advantages, and any potential limitations you might encounter.
The standard method is via QR code in the settings
The easiest and safest way is to use the system's built-in functionality. Starting with version MIUI 12 and higher, as well as on current versions Android 10-14This option is built-in by default and doesn't require any third-party software. You'll need to complete a few steps in the settings menu.
To begin, open the main menu and find the section Settings. Next, go to the item Wi-Fi (or Wireless networks). In the list of available networks, find the one you're currently connected to or one saved on your device. Tap the arrow to the right of the network name or tap the network name itself to open the expanded menu.
In the window that opens, you will see a button Share or icon QR codeAfter clicking, the system will ask you to confirm your identity using a screen unlock (Face ID, fingerprint, or pattern). This is a security measure to prevent unauthorized access to your data.
⚠️ Attention: On some models with heavily modified firmware (especially on global versions of older models), the button may have a different name or be hidden. If you don't see the QR code, check for system updates.
After successful authentication, a square code will appear on the screen. Below it, in small print, is typically a line like this: WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:12345678;;The password you are looking for is located after the symbol P: and up to the double colon. If the text is not visible, take a screenshot and open it in the Gallery or Google Lens app, which automatically captures the data.
Using the Share Password feature for other devices
Ecosystem Xiaomi And Android Allows you to share network access not only through code visualization but also through direct data transfer to other devices. This is especially convenient if you need to connect a friend's tablet or phone and don't want to manually enter complex character strings.
The mechanism of this function is based on technology NFC or direct Wi-Fi Direct connection. When you select the sharing option, your phone creates a temporary secure access point through which encrypted network credentials are transmitted. The recipient simply presents their device or scans the code, and the connection is established automatically.
- 📱 For Xiaomi devices: When you tap the "Share" button, a search animation often appears next to the QR code to search for Mi Share devices. Simply bring the second phone close.
- 🔗 For Android in general: You can use the built-in QR code scanner in the camera or quick settings widget of another phone.
- 📸 Universal method: Take a screenshot of the QR code, send it to yourself via messenger (Telegram, WhatsApp), and open it on the device you want to connect.
It's important to understand that when a password is transmitted via QR code, it is displayed in clear text only as a text transcript beneath the image. During the over-the-air transmission, the data is encrypted. This ensures a high level of security. cybersecurity when exchanging data between trusted devices.
Viewing via the developer menu and ADB (for advanced users)
If the standard interface doesn't allow you to see the password (for example, on very old versions of Android prior to 10), you can use debugging tools. This method requires connecting the smartphone to a computer and installing the drivers. ADB (Android Debug Bridge). It provides access to system configuration files.
The first step is to enable developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About phone and click 7-10 times in a row on the field MIUI version (or OS version). After the message "You have become a developer" appears, return to the main settings menu, find the item Additionally and select For developers.
Inside the developer menu, activate the switch USB debuggingConnect your phone to the PC using a cable. A debugging permission prompt will appear on your phone's screen. Tap "Allow." Now, open a command prompt on your computer in the ADB tools folder.
adb shell content insert --uri content://wifi/wifi_config --bind ssid:s:MyNetwork --bind key_mgmt:s:WPA_PSK --bind password:s:MyPasswordHowever, a more relevant query is the database of saved networks. The command to view the configuration (requires root privileges or specific permissions on some firmware versions):
adb shell dumpsys wifiIn the command output you need to look for the section Configured networks. There will be a list of network SSIDs and, in some cases (depending on the Android version and security patches), passwords in the field pre_shared_key.
⚠️ Attention: On modern versions of Android (11, 12, 13, 14) access to the file
wpa_supplicant.confAccessing ADB without root access is blocked by the security system. You'll see a list of networks, but passwords may be hidden with asterisks or replaced with*ESN.