Modern smartphones Xiaomi are renowned for their functionality, but sometimes users are faced with the need to remember a saved password for a wireless network. Owners of the popular model Redmi 7 Often you need to connect a new gadget, laptop, or guest phone to the Internet, but the login information is lost. Fortunately, the operating system Android and the shell MIUI provide several ways to extract this information directly from the device's memory.
Restoring access to Wi-Fi networks may be needed at the most unexpected moment, when the router is far away or reset to factory settings. Redmi 7 This process has its own specifics, depending on the firmware version and system access level. We'll cover all the current methods that will help you Find out the password without losing data and complex reprogramming.
Before you take action, it is important to understand that standard security measures Android They hide passwords from prying eyes. However, for the device owner with access to the settings menu, this information becomes available through certain interfaces. Below, we'll discuss in detail how to proceed in various situations.
Viewing your password through MIUI system settings
The easiest and most secure way to find out the access key is to use the built-in shell functionality MIUI. In newer firmware versions that are often installed on Redmi 7 After updates, a convenient QR code feature was added. It allows you to not only connect other devices but also visually display saved data.
First, you need to go to the wireless settings menu. Tap the settings icon or swipe down on the notification shade to find it. Wi-FiMake sure the module is activated and the phone is connected to the network whose password you want to retrieve. Without an active connection to the specific access point, the system will not be able to generate the correct code.
⚠️ Note: If you're using a very old version of MIUI (e.g., early builds of MIUI 10), the QR code feature may not be available. In this case, proceed to the next section of the article.
Once you've entered the menu, find the name of your network. It's usually marked with a "Connected" status or a lock icon. Click the network name or the arrow to the right of it to expand the settings. This is where you'll find the information you're looking for, if your software version supports it.
- 📱 Open
Settingson the main screen. - 📡 Go to the section
Wi-Fi. - 🔗 Click on the active network or the "i" icon next to it.
- 👁️ Look for the "Show password" button or QR code.
If a QR code appears on the screen, there is often a text string written in small font underneath it that looks like this: P:WPA;S:MyNetwork;P:12345678;;Numbers and symbols after P: (in the second case) is your password. Write it down carefully, observing the letter case.
Using a QR code scanner to extract data
In cases where the text under the QR code is too small or hidden, standard tools come to the rescue Android or third-party applications. Camera Redmi 7 It is equipped with a built-in scanner that can read information from the screen of another phone or even from the screen of the device itself if you take a screenshot.
Take a screenshot of the screen with the QR code using the key combination Volume Down + Power or swipe with three fingers. Then open the Camera or Scanner app in the Tools folder. Point the lens at the code image in your gallery or select the scan from image option.
After scanning, the system will return a link or text string. The string format is standardized: WIFI:T:WPA;S:NetworkName;P:YourPassword;;You need the part after the symbol P: and up to the double colon at the end. This is the desired security key for your network.
☑️ Scanner Operation Algorithm
Some users prefer to use specialized applications from Google Play, such as "WiFi Password Viewer" or similar apps. They work on the same principle: they read the graphic code and convert it into readable text. This is especially convenient if the scanner is built-in. Xiaomi For some reason it doesn't recognize the image.
| Method | Complexity | Root is required | MIUI version |
|---|---|---|---|
| QR code in settings | Low | No | MIUI 11+ (most common) |
| Image scanner | Average | No | Any |
| ADB Commands | High | No (PC required) | Any |
| Root files | Very high | Yes | Any |
Getting a password via ADB without root rights
If the GUI doesn't provide answers, you can access deeper layers of the system using the debug bridge. ADB (Android Debug Bridge)This method requires a computer (Windows, Mac, or Linux) and a USB cable. It allows you to query the system for saved Wi-Fi configurations without needing root access on the phone itself.
The first step is to enable developer mode on your Redmi 7Go to . Settings → About phone and quickly tap "MIUI version" 7-10 times. A notification will appear that says "You are now a developer." Then, return to the main settings menu, find "Advanced settings" → "Developer options" and turn on the toggle switch. USB debugging.
⚠️ Note: When connecting your phone to your computer for the first time, a debugging confirmation prompt will appear on your phone's screen. Be sure to click "Allow," otherwise your computer will not be able to communicate with your device.
On your computer, you'll need to download a minimal set of ADB tools. Unzip the archive and open a command prompt in that folder. Connect your phone with a cable and enter the command adb devicesto ensure the device is visible. If everything is successful, run the command to export the configuration file:
adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml wifi_config.xml
After executing the command, a file will appear in the ADB folder. wifi_configStore.xmlOpen it with any text editor (Notepad, Notepad++). You need to find the tag <SSID> with the name of your network and look at the neighboring tag <PreSharedKey>It will store the password in cleartext. If it's a hash, unfortunately, it's encrypted on your version of Android, and this method won't work without root.
What to do if ADB doesn't detect the phone?
Make sure the ADB Interface driver is installed. Try a different USB cable (preferably the original one). Check whether the USB mode is set to "Charging" or "File Transfer"—this can sometimes affect connection stability.
Methods for users with root rights
For advanced users who have unlocked the bootloader and gained rights SuperSU or Magisk On the Redmi 7, the task is simplified to a minimum. Root access gives you full control over system files, where all network settings are stored. However, it's important to remember that gaining this privilege voids the warranty and can be dangerous for inexperienced users.
There are many file managers with root support, for example, Root Explorer or Solid ExplorerInstall the application, grant it superuser rights when prompted, and go to the path /data/misc/wifi/Find the file wpa_supplicant.conf or WifiConfigStore.xmlOnce you open the file, you'll see a list of all networks ever saved and their passwords in text format.
- 🔓 Make sure Root rights are active and working.
- 📂 Download a file manager with system partition support.
- 📝 Go to the directory
/data/misc/wifi/. - 🔍 Open the configuration file and find the field psk.
An alternative is to use specialized apps from the store, such as "WiFi Password Viewer." With root access, they instantly display a list of all networks and allow you to copy the password to the clipboard with a single tap. This is the fastest method, but it requires preliminary device preparation.
Alternative ways to restore access
If software methods fail, there's always physical access to the router. Most routers, especially those supplied by ISPs, have a label with factory data on the case. It lists the default SSID and password (often written as WPA Key or Pin), if you haven't changed them yourself.
Another option is to log into the router's web interface. Connect to the network (if you need a password for another device and your phone is already connected) and enter the gateway address in the browser, usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. After logging in (standard login/password is often admin/admin), you can in the wireless network section (Wireless or WLAN) view or change the password.
In extreme cases, if the password is lost, but there is access to the router, you can reset it to factory settings by holding down the button Reset Press the key on the back of the device for 10-15 seconds. After this, the router will revert to the factory password on the sticker, and you can reconnect and then set a new password.
⚠️ Caution: Resetting your router will delete all your provider settings (PPPoE, static IP, etc.). Only do this if you know the settings for reconfiguring your internet connection or have your contract with your provider.
It's also worth checking other devices in your home. If you have a Windows laptop already connected to this network, you can find the password in the wireless adapter's properties. On macOS, this information is stored in iCloud Keychain. This can be a great backup.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to find out the Wi-Fi password if the phone is not connected to it?
No, this can't be done using standard Android tools. The phone only stores passwords for networks it has successfully connected to in the past. If a network is removed from the list of saved networks, the encryption key data is erased from memory for security purposes.
Are password viewer apps safe to use?
Apps that require root access have full access to the system, which is theoretically a risk. Apps that work via QR codes or image scanners are safe, as they simply process images or text without accessing system files.
Why are there asterisks instead of passwords in the wpa_supplicant.conf file?
This means that encryption of saved passwords is enabled on your device. In modern versions of Android (6.0 and above), passwords are stored encrypted and can only be read with an active connection using QR code or ADB (if your Android version allows it).
Will the ADB method work on Redmi 7 with Android 9?
Yes, the method with ADB and pulling the configuration file often works on Android 9, since in this version of the system the file wpa_supplicant.conf was not always completely protected from reading through debugging, unlike newer versions of Android 10-12, where access to this file is closed even for ADB without Root.