How to view your Wi-Fi password on a tablet: instructions for Android and iPad

Forgot your home Wi-Fi password and need it to connect a new device? Your tablet already has the password saved—all you need to do is retrieve it. The methods vary depending on the model and operating system (Android or iPadOS): in some cases, you can simply access the settings, while in others, you'll need to use additional utilities or even a computer.

In this article we will look at all current methods for tablets on Android 10–14 (including Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, Lenovo) And iPad With iPadOS 15–17Let's take a closer look at the nuances for devices with root rights and without them, and we'll also explain why some methods stopped working after security updates. If you need more than just to view your password, restore access to the router — at the end of the article there is a FAQ with solutions for such cases.

1. The standard method for Android: via network settings (without root)

On most tablets with Android 10 and newer Wi-Fi password can be viewed directly in the connections menu - but only if the device already connected to this networkThis method works on "clean" Android (for example, Google Pixel, Nokia) and some firmware from manufacturers.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi.
• 🔗 Click on the name of your network (under the word Connected).
• 🔑 Tap on the icon Share (or Share (on English firmware).
• 🔐 Enter PIN code or pattern unlocking the tablet.
• 📋 A text password will appear under the QR code field.

If the point Share no - it means the manufacturer has disabled this function (this is often done Xiaomi And Huawei). In this case, proceed to the next methods.

2. Alternative method for Android: via configuration file (requires file manager)

All Wi-Fi passwords on Android are stored in a system file. wpa_supplicant.conf. It can be accessed through file manager with root rights (For example, Root Explorer) or without root - if you use workarounds.

For devices without root rights:

1. Install a file manager with access to system folders (for example, FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Follow the path /data/misc/wifi/ or /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore/ (depending on Android version).
3. Find the file wpa_supplicant.conf and open it with any text editor.
4. Inside there will be lines like this:

   network={
   ssid="Your_Network_Name"
   psk="your_password"
   key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
   }

Why might this method not work on newer Androids?

Starting with Android 11, Google has tightened access to system files. Without root access, the file wpa_supplicant.conf may be encrypted or hidden. Manufacturers (such as Samsung) also block access to this folder through standard file managers.

For rooted devices:

• 🛠️ Use it Root Browser or ES File Explorer (turn on the mode in the settings Root Explorer).
• 🔍 Go to /data/misc/wifi/ and copy the file wpa_supplicant.conf to any accessible location (for example, to an SD card).
• 📄 Open the file using Notepad - the passwords will be in the field psk.

⚠️ Warning: Changing or deleting files in the folder /data/misc/wifi/ may lead to loss of all saved Wi-Fi networks on a tablet. Do not edit the file manually!

3. Specific instructions for Samsung, Xiaomi, and Huawei tablets

Manufacturers often modify Android to remove default password viewing methods. Here's how to bypass these restrictions:

If your model is not in the table, try the universal methods from the first two sections or use ADB commands (described below).

4. Viewing the password via ADB (for advanced users)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) — an Android debugging tool that allows you to execute commands on your tablet from your computer. This method works even without root rights, but requires enabling developer mode and USB debugging.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Download ADB Tools to your computer (Windows, macOS or Linux).
2. Turn on the tablet Developer Options (tap 7 times Build number V Settings → About phone).
3. IN Developer Options activate USB debugging.
4. Connect the tablet to the computer via USB (select the mode File transfer).
5. Open Command Prompt (or Terminal) and type:

   adb shell
   su -c "cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore/SoftAp_* | grep psk"

   If an error occurs permission denied, use:

   adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore/SoftAp_*

   Then open the downloaded file on your computer.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example, MIUI or ColorOS) ADB commands for password extraction may be blocked. In this case, only root will help.

5. How to find the Wi-Fi password on an iPad (iPadOS 15–17)

On iPad Apple doesn't provide direct access to saved Wi-Fi passwords through Settings—this is a security limitation. However, there are two workarounds:

Method 1: Via iCloud Keychain (if you have a Mac)

• 🖥️ On Mac, open Programs → Utilities → Keychain.
• 🔍 Enter the name of your Wi-Fi network in the search.
• 🔑 Double-click on the entry and check the box Show password and enter your Mac account password.

Method 2: Via iTunes Backup (Windows/macOS)

1. Connect your iPad to your computer and create a backup iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina and later).
2. Download the utility iBackup Viewer or iMazing.
3. Open the backup in the program and find the section Wi-Fi passwords.

If you don't have a Mac or a backup, your only option is reset the router (see FAQ at the end of the article).

Have a Mac with the same iCloud account|Use an iTunes backup|Install a third-party backup reader|Reset the router (last resort)

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6. What to do if none of the methods work?

If all the above methods do not help, the problem may be due to one of the following factors:

• 🔒 Network encryption: If the router uses WPA3-Enterprise or 802.1X, the password is stored in encrypted form and is not displayed in standard ways.
• 📱 Manufacturer's limitations: Some brands (eg. Amazon Fire Tablet) block access to system files even with root rights.
• 🔄 Firmware update: After updating Android/iPadOS, old methods may no longer work (for example, in Android 14 removed access to wpa_supplicant.conf without root).

In such cases, there are two options left:

1. Reset your router settings (button Reset for 10 seconds) and configure it again. This is the only universal method if access to the tablet is limited.
2. Connect to the router via cable (if there is an Ethernet port) and go to the web interface at the address 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 (logins/passwords usually admin/admin).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about viewing Wi-Fi passwords on a tablet

Is it possible to find out the password for a Wi-Fi network that the tablet was previously connected to but is not connected to now?

On Android - yes, if the file wpa_supplicant.conf It wasn't cleared. Use a rooted file manager or ADB. On an iPad, no, and this isn't possible without a backup or a Mac.

Why did the password stop displaying in the Wi-Fi settings after updating Android?

Google has tightened its security policy: starting from Android 10, manufacturers may hide passwords in the interface. For example, Xiaomi And Samsung removed the button Share for networks with WPA3.

Is it possible to find out the Wi-Fi password on a tablet without rooting or a computer?

Yes, but only if:

• Tablet on pure Android (For example, Google Pixel) - through Settings → Wi-Fi → Share.
• Do you have iPad + Mac - through iCloud Keychain.
• The router supports WPS - you can connect a new device without a password (but this is not secure).

How can you secure your Wi-Fi so that the password can't be easily discovered?

To make your password more difficult to access:

• Use WPA3-Personal instead of WPA2.
• Turn it off WPS in the router settings.
• Change your password regularly (for example, once every 3 months).
• Set up guest network for temporary devices.

What should I do if my tablet requires a PIN to view my password and I forgot it?

If you forgot tablet unlock pattern or PIN code:

• On Android: Perform a reset via Recovery Mode (data will be deleted!).
• On iPad: use the mode DFU and restore via iTunes.
• If a Google/Apple account was linked to the tablet, try restoring access via Find My Device (Android) or iCloud (iPad).