How to Guess (Find Out) a Wi-Fi Password on an Android Phone: All the Methods

Have you forgotten your home Wi-Fi password, and the sticker with the code on your router has long since worn off? Or do you need to connect a new device, but you haven't written down the password anywhere? Your smartphone... Android may help restore access if the network was previously connected. In this article, we'll look at legal methods extracting a password from the phone's memory, and we'll also explain why hacking other people's networks - this is a violation of the law.

Important: All methods below work. only for networks to which the phone has already connectedIf we are talking about someone else's Wi-Fi, to which you do not have access rights, then further reading is pointless - such actions are classified as unauthorized access to computer information (Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). We consider exclusively Recovering your own network password, where you are the owner or have administrator permission.

Modern versions Android 10+ Access to passwords has been made more difficult for security reasons, but workarounds remain. Below are the current methods for phones. Samsung, Xiaomi, Honor, Realme and other brands, including devices without root-right.

1. View password through Android settings (without root)

The easiest way is to use the system's built-in tools. Starting with Android 10Google added a feature to view passwords for saved networks, but not all manufacturers support it. Here's how it works:

• 📱 Open Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi.
• 🔍 Find your network in the list and tap on its name (SSID).
• 🔑 On some phones (eg. Google Pixel or OnePlus) a button will appear Share or Show password.
• 🔐 The system will ask PIN code, fingerprint or pattern for confirmation.

If there is no such option, it means that the manufacturer has disabled it (as in Samsung or Xiaomi). In this case, proceed to the next method.

⚠️ Attention: On phones Samsung with shell One UI And Xiaomi With MIUI The built-in password viewing function is often missing. This isn't a bug, but a deliberate decision by the manufacturer.

2. Export passwords via backup (without root)

If your phone doesn't display the password directly, you can extract it from a backup. This method works on most devices, but requires a computer and software. Android Debug Bridge (ADB).

Instructions:

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

adb backup -f wifi_backup.ab -noapk com.android.providers.settings

File wifi_backup.ab will be created on your computer. To extract the password from it, use the utility Android Backup Extractor (available at GitHub). Find the file inside the archive wpa_supplicant.conf — it stores all saved networks and their passwords in clear text.

Developer mode is enabled

ADB drivers installed on PC

USB debugging is enabled on the phone.

The phone is connected to the PC via cable (not Wi-Fi!)

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⚠️ Attention: Method with ADB may not work on phones with a locked bootloader (Samsung Knox, Huawei). In this case, unlocking will be required, which will void the warranty.

3. Using the wpa_supplicant.conf file (requires root)

On phones with root-access passwords are stored in a file /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml (Android 10+) or /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf (Android 9 and below). To read them:

1. Install a file manager with support root (For example, Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Follow the path /data/misc/wifi/ and find the configuration file.
3. Open it with a text editor - the passwords will be in lines like this:

network={
ssid="Network_Name"
psk="wifi_password"
key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
}

If the file is encrypted (on some firmware), use the utility WiFi Password Viewer from Google Play (requires root).

What to do if the wpa_supplicant.conf file is empty?

On newer versions of Android (12+), passwords can be stored in encrypted form in WifiConfigStore.xmlTo extract them, you will need a decryptor, for example, WiFi Password Recovery (for root only).

⚠️ Warning: Receipt root- rights void the warranty and may impair operation Samsung Pay, Google Pay and banking applications. On phones with Knox (For example, Samsung Galaxy) this will lead to irreversible flag activation Knox 0x1.

4. Password recovery via router

If access to your phone is restricted, the easiest way is to view the password on the router itself. To do this:

• 🌐 Connect to the router via cable or Wi-Fi (if your phone is already connected).
• 🖥️ Enter the address in your browser 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 (the address is indicated on the router sticker).
• 🔑 Log in (default logins/passwords: admin/admin, admin/password or see sticker).
• 📡 Go to the section Wi-Fi → Security or Wireless Settings.
• 🔍 Field Password, PSK or Key contains the required code.

If you haven't changed your router login details but have forgotten them, follow these steps: reset settings button Reset (hold for 10 seconds). After this, the network will be named by default (for example, TP-Link_1234), and the password is indicated on the sticker.

5. Password Viewer Apps (with caveats)

IN Google Play There are utilities that promise to show Wi-Fi passwords, but most of them:

• ❌ Required root-access (for example, WiFi Password Viewer).
• ❌ Works only on older versions of Android (up to 9.0).
• ❌ May be malicious (especially applications that ask to be disabled) Google Play Protect).

The only exception is apps from the phone manufacturer:

• 📱 Samsung Smart Switch (can export Wi-Fi settings when transferring data).
• 📱 Xiaomi Mi Mover (similar, but only for devices Xiaomi).

⚠️ Attention: Apps like Wifi WPS WPA Tester or WiFi Master Key exploit vulnerabilities in the protocol WPS, which is disabled on most modern routers. Using them can be considered a hacking attempt.

6. Alternative methods (if nothing helps)

If none of the methods work, there are radical measures left:

• 🔄 Resetting the router. Click the button Reset for 10 seconds to restore factory settings. The password will be reset to the default value (indicated on the sticker).
• 📞 Contact your provider. If the router was provided by an Internet provider (for example, Rostelecom or Beeline), the password can be specified in the contract or personal account.
• 🔧 Connect a new device via WPS. Click the button WPS on the router, then select the network on your phone - the connection will be established without entering a password (this does not work on all models).

If the router belongs to your employer, university, or hotel, please contact support. Unauthorized attempts to retrieve the password may be considered a violation of corporate security policy.

7. Legal consequences of hacking other people's networks

In Russia and most countries unauthorized access to Wi-Fi is equivalent to hacking a computer network and is punishable by law:

• 📜 Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation — up to 2 years of imprisonment for unauthorized access to computer information.
• 💰 Fine up to 200,000 rubles (if no harm was caused, but access was gained).
• 🔍 Liability for damageif you used someone else's internet for illegal activities (for example, downloading pirated content).

Even if you "just wanted to check," the investigating authorities may classify it as an attempted hack. The only legal way is to obtain permission from the network owner..

⚠️ Attention: Some "instructions" on the internet suggest using programs like Aircrack-ng or WifiteThese tools are designed for security testing. own networks and require in-depth knowledge. Using them on other people's networks is a criminal offense.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to find out the password for a Wi-Fi network that the phone has never connected to?

No. All the methods in this article only work for networks the phone has previously connected to. Connecting to other networks will require physical access to the router or permission from the owner.

Why is there no "Share Password" button on my Samsung?

The manufacturer removed this feature from the shell One UI For security reasons, please use ADB or backup via Smart Switch.

Does this method work with wpa_supplicant.conf on Android 13?

On newer versions of Android, passwords are stored in encrypted form in WifiConfigStore.xmlTo extract them you need root and specialized utilities (for example, WiFi Password Recovery Pro).

Is it possible to hack Wi-Fi using an app?

No. All applications in Google Play, promising a "hack," either don't work or are scams. The only viable solution is resetting the router or accessing its settings.

What should I do if I forgot my router password?

Perform a reset using the button Reset, then use the default login details (found on the router sticker). If you don't have a sticker, contact your ISP.