How to View Wi-Fi Password on Android: Complete Instructions

Many users are familiar with the situation of needing to connect a new device to their home network but forgetting the password. Fortunately, modern smartphones based on Android This data is often saved for automatic future connections. Unlike older versions of the operating system, where access to system files was restricted, there are now legal and simple methods for extracting saved security keys.

Depending on your operating system version, the methods may vary significantly. If you have Android 10 or newer, the process will take just a few seconds thanks to the built-in QR code generation feature. For older versions, such as Android 6 or Android 7, additional actions or availability will be required root rights, which is an important technical nuance.

In this article, we'll cover all the current methods for recovering a forgotten password in detail. We'll cover the built-in system tools, Google account synchronization options, and specialized PC utilities. You'll be able to choose the most suitable option for your specific smartphone model and software version.

QR code method on Android 10 and later

Starting with the tenth version of the operating system, Google engineers implemented a convenient mechanism for exchanging network data via graphical codes. This is the fastest and most secure method, requiring no third-party software or special access rights. All you need is the standard Wi-Fi settings menu.

To get started, open your device's settings and go to the "Network & Internet" or "Connections" section. Find the item Wi-Fi and click on it. A list of available networks will appear, with the currently active network you're connected to displayed at the top.

Click on the name of the active network or the gear icon next to it. In the menu that opens (details), find the button Share or a QR code icon. The system may request identity verification via a fingerprint scanner, pattern lock, or Face ID. Upon successful authentication, a square code will appear on the screen.

⚠️ Note: On many smartphones (e.g., Xiaomi, Samsung, Pixel), the plain-text password is displayed in small font below the QR code image. If you can see it immediately, you don't need any additional scanning apps.

If there's no text password under the code, take a screenshot. Then open any QR code reader (for example, Google Lens or the built-in scanner in your camera) and select the saved image. The app will scan the code and return a data string with the following prefix: WIFI:S: there will be the network name, and after P: — the password you are looking for.

Using a Google Account for syncing

Google has implemented a feature that syncs Wi-Fi passwords between devices linked to the same account. This means that if you've ever connected to a network on one device and saved it to your account, you can find the password on any other device signed in to the same profile.

To use this method, make sure syncing is enabled on your smartphone. Go to Settings → Google → Autofill → Autofill from GoogleMake sure the toggle is enabled. Also, check that the "Passwords" option is enabled in your account settings.

Now open the Google Chrome browser on any device (smartphone or PC) where you are signed in to your account. Go to the browser settings and select PasswordsIn the list of saved data, find the entry that matches the name of your Wi-Fi network.

• 📱 Open the Chrome app on your mobile device.
• 🔑 Go to the "Settings" menu and select "Passwords".
• 🔍 Find the name of your wireless network in the list.
• 👁️ Click on the eye icon to reveal hidden text.

The system will ask you to confirm your identity again. Afterward, you'll see your saved access key. This method is especially convenient if you need to connect something other than an Android device, such as a game console or Smart TV, where entering text with the remote is difficult.

📊 What version of Android are you using?

Android 10-11

Android 12-13

Android 14 and later

Older than Android 9

Viewing password on Samsung devices

Samsung smartphone owners benefit from One UI, which offers advanced network management features. On Samsung devices, viewing saved keys is often more streamlined than on stock Android.

Go to Settings → Connections → Wi-FiTap the currently active network. Unlike many other manufacturers, Samsung often displays a QR code immediately, without the need to navigate additional menus. As with stock Android, the password can be written below the code.

If the password is not visible, use the "Manage saved networks" feature. This displays a list of all networks your phone has previously connected to. Select the desired network and tap "Share." This will generate a QR code that can be scanned with another phone.

⚠️ Note: The One UI interface may change slightly depending on the firmware update version. If you can't find the "Share" option, try long-pressing the network name in the Wi-Fi list.

Older devices, released before Android 10, may not have the built-in viewing feature. In this case, Samsung owners will have to resort to third-party apps from Google Play or rooting methods, which we'll discuss below.

Checking through the router settings from your phone

If software methods fail, there's always the hardware option: checking the router's settings. Since your phone is already connected to Wi-Fi, it has direct access to the default gateway, which is the router's admin panel.

First, find out the gateway IP address. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi → Network detailsFind the "Gateway" or "Router" line. This is usually an address of the form 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1Copy it or remember it.

Open a mobile browser (Chrome, Samsung Internet) and enter this IP address in the address bar. You'll be greeted by the router's login page. Here, you'll need your admin panel login and password. If you haven't changed them, they're often found on a sticker on the bottom of the router (standard pairs: admin/admin, admin/password).

Once you've successfully logged in, find the section that controls your wireless network. It may be called Wireless, Wi-Fi Settings or "Wireless Mode." Inside, look for the "Security" subsection. That's where the field WPA/WPA2 Password or "Network Key" displays the current password.

Router brand	Standard IP	Default login	Default password
TP-Link	192.168.0.1	admin	admin
ASUS	192.168.1.1	admin	admin
D-Link	192.168.0.1	admin	(empty)
Xiaomi	192.168.31.1	admin	indicated on the sticker

Password recovery apps (with and without root)

There are many apps in the Google Play Store that promise to reveal saved passwords. However, there's a significant security caveat. Regular apps without root access (Root) do not have access to the system file wpa_supplicant.conf, where the keys are stored.

Apps without root access often work like QR code generators (using the same APIs as system apps) or are simply collections of popular default passwords. The real value lies in apps that require root access, such as WiFi Password Viewer or WiFi Key Recovery.

If your smartphone is rooted, these utilities instantly display a list of all networks and passwords in plain text. They read the system file directly. This is a powerful tool, but it requires preliminary device preparation, which may void the warranty.

• 📲 WiFi Password Viewer: Simple interface, shows passwords immediately after granting root rights.
• 🔑 WiFi Key Recovery: Allows you not only to view, but also to copy passwords to the clipboard.
• 🛡️ ES Explorer (with root): Allows you to manually navigate the path /data/misc/wifi/ and open the configuration file with a text editor.

⚠️ Warning: Rooting your device reduces the security of your device and may void your warranty. Only do this if you understand the risks.

What is the wpa_supplicant.conf file?

It is a system configuration file on Linux-based systems (including Android) that contains wireless network settings, including SSID and encryption keys in clear or hashed form.

Using the Computer and Command Prompt (ADB)

For advanced users who don't want to root their phone, there's a PC debugging method. You'll need a computer, a USB cable, and installed ADB (Android Debug Bridge) drivers. This method allows you to extract the system configuration file without rooting the phone, but with debugging permissions.

First, enable Developer Mode on your phone (tap the build number seven times in About Phone). Enable USB Debugging. Connect your phone to your PC. Open a command prompt on your computer in the ADB folder.

Enter the command to access the file. However, it's worth noting that without root access on the device itself, direct reading is impossible. /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf Using ADB will most often be blocked by system permissions. This method only works reliably on older versions of Android (before 6.0) or on rooted devices.

adb pull /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf c:/wifi.txt

If the command is successful, the file wifi.txt will appear on drive C. Open it with notepad and find the block network={, inside which there will be a string psk="your_password"If access is denied (Permission denied), then root access is required on this device.

☑️ Getting Started with ADB

Enable USB debuggingInstall ADB drivers on your PCConnect the cableAllow access on the phone screenRun the pull command

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to find out the Wi-Fi password on Android 6 or 7 without root?

Unfortunately, on Android versions below 10, system security restrictions prevent apps and users from viewing saved passwords in plaintext without root access. The only option is to view the router settings through a browser.

Are password recovery apps safe to use?

Apps from the official Google Play store are generally safe unless they require suspicious permissions. However, apps downloaded from third-party sites may contain malicious code. Be cautious and check the developer ratings.

What to do if the QR code does not scan?

Try increasing your screen brightness, cleaning the camera, or using a different scanning app. If the code is damaged, try taking a screenshot, enlarging it, and reading the text underneath the code, if any.

Where are Wi-Fi passwords stored on Android?

Passwords are stored in a system file /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.confOnly the superuser (root) or system processes have access to this directory, which protects data from theft by regular applications.