It's a common situation where your Xiaomi Redmi smartphone is already connected to a wireless network and you need to connect a new laptop or tablet to it. Many users forget the complex password combinations they once set on the router, leaving the only hope of connecting to a device that successfully logged in previously. The Android operating system, especially the MIUI user interface, has built-in network management mechanisms, but access to the plaintext password is often hidden from the average user for security reasons.
There are several proven ways to extract this information without resetting the router or delving into complex engineering menus. Modern versions of Android allow you to generate QR codes for quick guest connection, and these codes contain encrypted data that can be decrypted. However, if you have an older Redmi model or a specific firmware version, the steps may differ significantly.
In this article, we'll cover all the current methods for accessing stored WiFi data, from standard system tools to advanced techniques for experienced users. It is important to understandAccess to this data is only possible if your device already has an active connection or has previously saved this network. We'll cover the nuances of working with a Google account, the specifics of scanning QR codes with a camera, and specific commands for the terminal.
Using the QR code feature in MIUI settings
The easiest and most secure method, available on most modern Xiaomi Redmi smartphones running MIUI 12 or later, is to use the built-in QR code generator. When you're in the WiFi settings menu, the system allows you to create a visual key for other devices. This method doesn't require any third-party software and works instantly.
To get started, you need to go to the section Settings → Wi-FiHere you'll see a list of available networks, and the network you're currently connected to will be displayed at the top. Click the arrow or information icon next to your network name. The screen that opens often displays a QR code, which may contain a password in plain text, or a "Share" or "QR code" button.
If the password isn't immediately displayed in plain text, take a screenshot of the screen with the QR code. Then open the default Camera or Scanner app on any other Xiaomi device (or use Google Lens). Point the camera at the screenshot in the gallery. In some cases, the system will automatically recognize the password and display it in a notification.
- 📱 Go to WiFi settings and select your active network.
- 📸 Take a screenshot of the screen with the QR code to connect.
- 👁️ Scan the image using Google Lens or the built-in scanner.
- 🔑 Copy the revealed password from the pop-up notification.
⚠️ Note: On some global MIUI firmware versions, the password text may be hidden by asterisks even when tapping the QR code. In this case, the visual method will only show the code to scan, not the text string.
View saved networks via Google Account
Starting with Android 10 and above, Google has implemented WiFi password syncing via the cloud. If you have Google account sync enabled on your Xiaomi Redmi, all saved networks are automatically uploaded to the secure Google Password Manager vault. This allows you to see your password even without a direct connection to the network.
To use this method, open your phone's settings and find the section Google. Next, go to the item Autofill and select Google AutocompleteIn the menu that opens, click "Google Password Manager." Here you'll see a list of all websites and apps, as well as a separate tab or section dedicated to WiFi networks.
Find the name of your wireless network in the list. When you tap it, the system will ask you to verify your identity using your fingerprint, face, or screen unlock PIN. After successful authentication, the network card will open, displaying the required character combination in the "Password" field. You can copy it or use the "Show" button.
The advantage of this method is its cross-platform compatibility. You can access Google Password Manager from any other device, log in to your account, and retrieve the password you need. This is especially convenient if your Xiaomi phone is dead or unavailable, but you need to connect a new laptop to the network.
Analysis of system files without root rights (ADB)
For more advanced users who do not want to obtain root rights, but need access to system configuration files, there is a method of USB debugging (ADB). File wpa_supplicant.confThe file that stores all saved passwords is located in a protected system directory. You can't access it with regular file managers, but ADB allows you to read the data from your computer.
The first step is to enable developer mode on your Redmi. To do this, quickly tap the build number seven times in the section About the phone. Then in the menu Additionally or Advanced settings turn on USB debuggingConnect your phone to your computer using a cable and install the ADB drivers on your PC.
Once connected, open the command prompt on your computer and enter the command to test the connection: adb devicesIf the device is detected, you can try to extract the configuration file. However, on modern versions of Android, the user has no access to this file. shell (which is ADB) is often blocked. Success depends on the specific Android security version and MIUI patches.
adb pull /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf c:/wifi_config.txtIf the command is successful, a text file will appear on the C: drive. Open it with Notepad and find the block network with the name of your network (ssid). Inside this block there will be a line psk="your_password"If the command returns a "permission denied" error, it means that without root access, access to the file system is denied, and this method will not work.
What to do if ADB doesn't see the device?
Make sure the "Always allow debugging from this computer" box is checked on your phone when in debugging mode. Also, try replacing your USB cable, as some cables only support charging and not data transfer.
Gaining Root Access
Having superuser (root) privileges gives you full control over your Xiaomi Redmi system. If your device is rooted (for example, using Magisk), you can directly read any system file. This is the most reliable method, working on 100% of devices, regardless of Android version.
You will need a file manager that supports Root access, for example, Root Explorer, Solid Explorer or MT ManagerAfter installing the app, grant it superuser rights when you first launch it. Then go to the path /data/misc/wifi/.
Find the file in this directory. wpa_supplicant.confOpen it as a text file. The data structure here is similar to what we discussed in the ADB method, but access is guaranteed. You'll see a list of all networks ever connected and their passwords in plain text.
| Parameter | Description | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| ssid | Wireless network name | Inside the network block |
| psk | Access password (Pre-Shared Key) | The line psk="..." |
| proto | Security protocol | For example, RSN or WPA2 |
| key_mgmt | Key management method | Usually WPA-PSK |
Using root rights carries certain risks. Obtaining superuser rights on a Xiaomi Redmi may block some banking apps and Google Pay (Mir Pay) services unless special hiding modules are used. Additionally, this will void the device's warranty.
⚠️ Warning: Before rooting, be sure to create a full backup of your data. Incorrect modification of system files may brick your device.
Third-party password recovery apps
The Google Play Store offers numerous apps that claim to reveal saved WiFi passwords. However, it's important to separate them into two categories: those that work on older versions of Android (pre-9-10) and those that simply serve as wrappers for QR codes on newer versions.
Apps like WiFi Password Viewer or Key WiFi On older operating systems, they access the system file directly. On Android 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, this is impossible without root access. Therefore, the functionality of such programs is limited to scanning the QR code generated by the system itself or using the Google Passwords API.
- 📲 WiFi Passwords — a classic application that requires root for full functionality.
- 🔓 Universal Password - tries to use various access methods, including ADB.
- 🔑 Instabridge - more focused on searching social networks, but has manager functions.
Be careful when installing such software. Many of them are overloaded with ads or may contain malicious code that collects your personal data. Always check the permissions the app requests. If a simple password viewer requests access to your contacts and microphone, this is a warning sign.
☑️ App Security Check
Resetting the router as a last resort
If none of the software methods work, or you don't have access to the phone that was previously connected, you still have to physically access the router. On many devices, especially if the password hasn't been changed since purchase, the login details may be located on a sticker on the bottom of the device.
Check the bottom of your router. It often says:
- 🏷️ Default SSID (network name).
- 🔐 Default Password or Key (default password).
- 🌐 IP address to enter settings (usually 192.168.0.1 or 1.1).
If the password was previously changed and lost, you can reset the router to factory settings (hard reset). To do this, find the small hole marked Reset Press and hold the button inside with a paperclip for 10-15 seconds while the power is on. After this, the router will reboot, and the password will be the one on the sticker. All devices will need to be reconnected.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to find out the WiFi password on a Xiaomi device without connecting to that network?
Without root access and without first saving the network to your Google Account, no. Android blocks access to data about networks the device has never connected to for security reasons.
Why did my saved passwords disappear after updating MIUI?
Major Android updates (for example, from 10 to 11) can change the password storage structure. If Google sync was disabled, passwords could be lost when system encryption keys were changed.
Are WiFi hacking apps safe to use?
Apps that claim to "hack" your neighbors' WiFi are often scams. They either steal your data or simply reveal random passwords. Legitimate methods only work on networks you've already accessed.
How can I view my password if my phone screen is broken?
If the touchscreen works but the image isn't visible, you can try connecting a USB mouse via an OTG cable and blindly repeating the QR code generation steps. If the touchscreen doesn't work, the only solution is to use a Google account on a computer.
Where is the wpa_supplicant.conf file located on newer Android devices?
The path remains the same: /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf. However, access to the folder /data/ Closed to all users except root. Without superuser rights, this file cannot be viewed.