How to view the WiFi password on a POCO X3 smartphone

Owners of popular POCO smartphones, particularly the X3 NFC and X3 Pro models, often face the need to restore access to a wireless network. The situation can be as trivial as buying a new router, changing the password but forgetting to write it down, and now need to connect a guest's laptop or smart speaker. In the Android operating system, which powers the MIUI user interface, security mechanisms are designed so that simple display of symbols hidden from the user's view by default.

However, this doesn't mean the data is lost forever. The system stores connection configurations in a secure memory partition, and there are legal ways to extract this information. Modern versions of MIUI installed on the POCO X3 offer convenient access sharing tools that can be adapted for viewing the key. In this article, we'll detail how to view the Wi-Fi password on a POCO X3 smartphone using the system's built-in features, as well as more complex methods for advanced users.

It's worth noting that the methods may vary depending on the Android version and specific firmware version. If you're running the global version of MIUI 12 or 13, the process will be different than on the Chinese build. It's important to understand that some operations require internet access or root access, although in most cases, standard tools will suffice. The key point is the presence of a previously saved connection in the device's memory.

Using the QR code sharing feature

The easiest and safest way, which doesn't require installing third-party software or gaining root access, is to use the built-in QR code generation feature. When you're connected to a network or have previously connected to one, Android creates a special pattern. On POCO X3 smartphones, this feature is implemented directly in the Wi-Fi menu. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi and click on the name of the active network or on the arrow next to it.

After this, a QR code will appear on the screen, which is used to quickly connect other devices. However, beneath the code itself, or just below it, there's often a text string containing the passcode. If the text is hidden by asterisks, you can take a screenshot and open it in the Gallery app. Using a built-in image analyzer (Google Lens or similar), the phone will recognize the text within the QR code and display the passcode in plain text.

• 📱 Click on the active connection in the list of available networks.
• 🔍 Take a screenshot of the QR code that appears.
• 🖼 Open the image through Google Lens or Gallery.
• 📝 Copy the recognized text key.

⚠️ Important: Do not send screenshots of QR codes to strangers. Anyone who scans this code will be able to connect to your network without your knowledge, as the code contains all the necessary authorization information.

Why might the password not be displayed in text?

In some MIUI versions, developers hide the text string under the QR code for increased security. In these cases, only image recognition or third-party scanner apps that can read QR codes from the clipboard or gallery can help.

Viewing through the router settings from your phone

If the POCO X3's default methods don't display the symbols clearly, you can try another approach: access the router's web interface. Since your smartphone is already connected to Wi-Fi (or was previously connected and saved data), it has network access to the gateway. To do this, you need to know the router's IP address, which is usually the default. 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1This address can be found in the properties of the current connection in the Wi-Fi section.

Open any browser on your smartphone (Chrome, Mi Browser) and enter the gateway address in the address bar. You'll be taken to the administrator login page. Here, you'll need to enter your username and password for the router control panel. If you've never changed these details, they may be default (e.g., admin/admin), but if you've forgotten them, this method won't work without resetting the router. After logging in, find the section Wireless or Wireless network.

The Security section will display the current encryption settings and the password itself. Unlike the Android mobile interface, router web interfaces almost always allow you to view the key in plaintext by simply checking the "Show Password" box. This is a universal method that works regardless of the POCO model or Android version.

Using password recovery apps

There are numerous utilities in the Google Play Store that promise to reveal saved passwords. However, on modern versions of Android (10, 11, 12, and above), which are installed on the POCO X3, these apps have limitations. Without root access, they cannot read system files. wpa_supplicant.conf, where the keys are stored. However, some of them can read data through special APIs or use accessibility methods (Accessibility Service) to copy the password to the clipboard.

One popular solution is to use file managers with access to system partitions, but this requires an unlocked bootloader or superuser privileges. If your POCO X3 isn't rooted, most "recovery" apps will only show a list of networks, not the passwords themselves. Be careful: installing questionable apps can lead to data leaks or infect your device with miners.

• ⚙️ Make sure the app has good reviews and a high rating.
• 🔒 Check the requested permissions (do not grant access to contacts).
• 📲 Use only verified utilities from the official store.
• 🗑 Delete the app immediately after use.

Method using ADB commands (for advanced users)

For users who don't want to gain root access but have computer skills, there's a USB debugging method. You'll need a PC, a USB cable, and the installed toolkit. ADB (Android Debug Bridge)On your POCO X3 smartphone, you need to enable developer mode. To do this, tap the build number seven times in the section About the phone, and then turn it on USB debugging in the developer menu.

Connect your phone to your computer and enter the command in the command line to get a list of saved networks. However, to see the passwords, the system will still require elevated privileges. On stock firmware without root, ADB will only allow you to see network SSIDs, not keys. However, if you previously granted elevated privileges to your device via the ADB shell, you can run the command:

adb shell cat /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf

This method only works if the phone has a rooted file system. On a clean, out-of-the-box POCO X3, this command will return a Permission Denied error. Therefore, this method should only be considered in conjunction with unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk or similar permissions managers.

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi/POCO devices will result in a full data wipe. Be sure to back up any important data before experimenting with ADB and the bootloader.

Resetting your router as a last resort

If none of the software methods have helped, and you desperately need to find out the password and connect to the network right now, the only option left is to physically reset the router. This method is universal and works with any hardware. On the back of the router, there's a small hole marked ResetPress it with a paper clip and hold it for 10-15 seconds until the indicators blink.

After rebooting, the router will return to factory settings. The Wi-Fi password will be the one written on the sticker on the bottom of the device (unless it was changed automatically by the provider during registration). You will be able to connect using this key and then, if necessary, set your own password through the web interface. This ensures you have the current access key.

In this case, your internet will stop working until you re-enter your contract details. If you're unsure, it's best to call your provider's technical support—they can provide a default key or help you reset your settings remotely.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to view a Wi-Fi password if the phone has never connected to this network?

No, this is technically impossible. The POCO X3 smartphone is not a device for intercepting traffic (in its normal mode). It only stores passwords entered by the user or previously transmitted to them. It is impossible to find out the password for someone else's network without access to the router.

Is it safe to use apps like "WiFi Password Viewer"?

Using such apps carries risks. They often require suspicious permissions and can transmit your data to third parties. Furthermore, on newer Android devices, they are useless without root access. It's better to use the built-in QR code or router settings.

Where is the password file located on POCO X3?

The system file is called wpa_supplicant.conf and is located along the way /data/misc/wifi/Access to this directory is blocked for regular applications and users for Android system security purposes.

What to do if the QR code is not generated?

This feature may be disabled in some older versions of MIUI or when using enterprise security profiles. In this case, try updating the system or using the browser-based method to access the router's web interface.