A situation when you need to connect a new gadget to your home wireless network, but WiFi password forgotten, occurs quite often. Smartphone owners Xiaomi, Redmi And POCO are in an advantageous position because the shell MIUI Allows you to easily view saved access keys directly in the device interface. No need to search for the router box or call your provider.
There are several effective methods for recovering lost data. You can use the built-in generator. QR codes, which is available in modern firmware versions, or access the router's web interface. In rare cases where standard methods are unavailable, specialized applications or ADB commandsWe'll break down each of these options so you can choose the one that best suits your situation.
Before attempting any complex steps, it's worth checking whether the key is already saved on another device already connected to the network. This is the simplest method, but it's often overlooked. If all devices require reauthorization, you'll need to use one of the techniques described below to extract information from the phone's memory.
Using a QR code to display an access key
The easiest and fastest way to find out WiFi password on Xiaomi — is a QR code generation feature built into the system settings. It appeared in newer versions of the shell. MIUI And HyperOSYou don't need third-party apps or root access. Simply find the desired network in the list of saved connections.
Tap the name of the network you're connected to or that's saved. A square code will appear on the screen. Below it, you'll often (but not always) see text with a passcode. If there's no text, you can scan the code with another phone or even your phone's camera. Xiaomi through the Scanner app to see the data as a string.
Sometimes the security system obscures the asterisks even in a QR code. In this case, you can take a screenshot of the code and open it using any online decoding service or a third-party scanner app that displays raw data. This will reveal a string like this: WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:SecretPassword;;, where after P: and the desired key is found.
⚠️ Attention: The QR code feature may not be available on older versions of Android (below 10) or on heavily customized MIUI builds for the Chinese market without Google services installed.
Viewing through router settings
If your phone doesn't display the password directly, you can access the router's settings. To do this, your device Xiaomi must be connected to the WiFi network whose password you want to find out. Open any browser and enter the gateway IP address in the address bar. This is usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1.
To access the control panel, you'll need the administrator login and password. By default, these are often listed on a sticker underneath the router (e.g., admin/admin). Once in the menu, find the section Wireless or Wireless modeThere in the field Wireless Password or PSK password The current key will be displayed.
It's important to understand the difference between your WiFi password and your router administrator password. If you've changed your router password and forgotten it, you'll have to reset the device to factory settings, which will require you to reconfigure your internet connection. Be careful when making changes to your router's configuration.
Using third-party applications
In the store Google Play There are many utilities that claim to be able to display saved passwords. However, most of them only work on devices with permissions. RootWithout deep access to the Android system, apps can only display a QR code (if the system allows it) or offer network analysis features, but not key disclosure.
Apps like WiFi Password Viewer or WiFi Key Recovery require superuser rights. If your Xiaomi If your device isn't unlocked for root access (via Magisk), these programs will be useless. Rooting will void your device's warranty and could cause system damage if used improperly.
- 📱 WiFi Map — shows passwords for neighboring networks that users share, but does not always display the key stored on your device.
- 🔓 WiFi Password Recovery (Root) — works only with superuser rights, displays a list of all saved networks.
- 📶 WiFi Analyzer - A powerful tool for signal diagnostics, but not intended for stealing or viewing passwords without Root.
What are Root rights?
Root privileges (SuperUser) are the equivalent of administrator privileges in Windows. Gaining full access to the Android file system allows you to modify system files, remove built-in apps, and, in our case, read text files where WiFi passwords are stored.
Method using ADB (for advanced users)
For those who do not want to get Root rights, but own a computer, there is a method through Android Debug Bridge (ADB)This method requires enabling USB debugging on your smartphone. Xiaomi and the presence of drivers on the PC. It allows you to extract the system file that stores network configurations.
First, you need to enable developer mode. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times on the item MIUI version. Then in the advanced settings, enable USB debuggingConnect your phone to your computer using a cable and confirm the debugging request on your smartphone's screen.
Next, run a series of commands in the command line (terminal) on your computer to create a backup copy of the WiFi configuration and decrypt it. This method is technically complex and requires careful attention. A syntax error can result in an empty file or an access error.
adb backup -f wifi.ab -noapk com.android.providers.settingsadb pull wifi.ab
java -jar abe.jar unpack wifi.ab wifi.tar
tar -xf wifi.tar
After unpacking the archive, you will receive a file settings_global.xml or similar, which will contain the network SSIDs and their security keys (PSK) in text format. You need to search for the tag string name="wifi_ssid" and the adjacent tag with the password.
☑️ Getting Started with ADB
Comparison of recovery methods
The method you choose depends on your technical expertise and operating system version. For the average user who simply needs to connect a laptop, a QR code will suffice. For system administrators or network enthusiasts, methods involving ADB or router access are more suitable.
Below is a table comparing the main methods for obtaining a password on devices. XiaomiIt will help you quickly navigate the situation and choose the optimal solution to the problem without wasting time.
| Method | Root is required | Need a PC | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| QR code in MIUI | No | No | Low |
| Router settings | No | No | Average |
| Applications (Root) | Yes | No | High |
| ADB Commands | No | Yes | Very high |
⚠️ Attention: MIUI settings interfaces may differ depending on the firmware version (Global, China, Russia) and device model (Redmi Note, Mi, POCO). The layout of menu items may vary.
Security issues and data integrity
Storing passwords in plaintext on your device carries certain risks. If your phone falls into the hands of an attacker, they can easily access not only your WiFi but also use that access to attack other devices on your home network. Never give your phone to strangers with the lock screen on..
It's recommended to change your WiFi password periodically, especially if you suspect your neighbors have connected to your network. After changing the router password, all devices Xiaomi You'll need to re-enter your password. To avoid forgetting your password again, write it down in a safe place or use a password manager.
Using a guest network is a great way to secure your main home network. Set up guest access on your router with a separate password and speed limit. This way, you won't have to give your friends access to your main smart home devices or personal files on your NAS.
Is it possible to view the password without an internet connection?
No, on standard devices without root access, it's impossible to view the password for a network the phone has never connected to. The phone must successfully authenticate to the network at least once to save the key in secure storage.
What to do if the QR code is not generated?
Try updating your system to the latest version of MIUI. If updating isn't possible, use the method for accessing your router settings via a browser. This is a universal method that works on any device with a web browser.
Are password viewer apps safe to use?
Apps from the official Google Play store are generally safe, but they often require unnecessary permissions. Apps from unknown sources may contain malicious code. It's better to use built-in system features.