How to View the Wi-Fi Password on a Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: Official and Hidden Methods

Forgot your home Wi-Fi password and your router settings have reset? Or need to connect a new device but lost the sticker with the code? Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 There are several ways to retrieve a saved network password, including through standard settings. MIUI, as well as using hidden Android features. The main thing: Not all methods work without superuser (root) rights., but we will look at the options available to ordinary users.

In this article you will find:

• 🔍 The official way via backup (works on MIUI 12-14 without additional programs).
• 📱 ADB method — for those who are ready to connect their phone to a computer.
• ⚠️ Security restrictions in new versions of Android and how to bypass them.
• 🔄 Alternative solutions, if nothing helps (including resetting the router).

Important: Xiaomi actively blocks access to Wi-Fi passwords in the latest firmware updates for security reasons. If your Redmi Note 8 updated to Android 11/12 or MIUI 13/14Some methods may not work. In this case, you'll have to use workarounds—we'll cover those too.

1. Method via backup (without root)

The most reliable method for Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 - use the built-in backup function MIUIIt saves data about connected Wi-Fi networks in an encrypted file, which can then be unzipped on a computer.

📌 Step-by-step instructions:

1. Open Settings → About phone and press 5-7 times MIUI versionto activate developer mode.
2. Go back to the main settings menu and go to More → Backup and reset → Local backup.
3. Click Backup, select System Preferences and confirm the archive creation. The file will be saved in the folder MIUI/backup/AllBackup on internal memory.
4. Copy the file with the extension .mbk to the computer.
5. Install the program MiuiBackupExtractor (available on GitHub) and unzip the archive. The Wi-Fi passwords will be in the file. MiuiBackupExtractor/WiFi/WifiConfigStore.xml.

⚠️ Attention: In new versions of MIUI (13+), backups are encrypted and linked to an account. XiaomiIf you're not logged in or have forgotten your account information, you won't be able to unzip the file. In this case, proceed to the next method.

Free space on your phone (required ~500 MB)

Xiaomi account is linked and verified

The phone is charged at least 50%

Disabled background restrictions for the Backup app-->

2. Using ADB (for advanced users)

If the backup didn't work, you can try to extract the passwords via Android Debug Bridge (ADB)This method requires connecting your phone to a computer, but does not require root access. Works on Redmi Note 8 With Android 9–11 (on Android 12+ Xiaomi blocks access to some commands).

🔧 What you will need:

• 🖥️ A computer with Windows/Linux/macOS and installed drivers Xiaomi.
• 📲 Enabled developer mode And USB debugging on the phone.
• 📦 Utility ADB (download from the official Android website).

📌 Instructions:

1. Connect Redmi Note 8 to the computer via USB and select the mode File transfer.
2. Open a command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) and run:

adb shell
su -c "cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml | grep -oP '(?<=psk=\").*?(?=\")'"

If the command returns an error Permission denied, then your MIUI version is blocking access. Try this alternative:

adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml

File WifiConfigStore.xml copied to your computer - open it with any text editor and find the line <string name="PreSharedKey">....

⚠️ Attention: Starting from Android 10, Xiaomi encrypts the passwords in this file. If you see a set of characters like a1b2c3d4e5 — this is an encrypted hash, not the actual password. In this case, the method won't work.

3. Viewing the password via the file manager (only with root)

If on yours Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 installed superuser rights (root), you can directly open the Wi-Fi password file. This method is the fastest, but requires an unlocked bootloader and installed Magisk or another root manager.

📂 Where to look:

• 📁 Open any root file manager (for example, Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
• 🔍 Follow the path:

/data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml

Or (in newer versions of Android):

/data/misc/apexdata/com.android.wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml

In the file, find blocks of the following type:

<WiFiConfiguration>
<string name="SSID">Your_network_name</string>
<string name="PreSharedKey">Your_password_in_clear_text</string>
</WiFiConfiguration>

⚠️ Attention: Modifying or deleting files in /data/misc/wifi/ may lead to loss of all saved networks or a Wi-Fi module failure. Back up the folder before editing!

What to do if the WifiConfigStore.xml file is empty?

Some firmware versions (such as custom AOSP-based ones) store passwords in a different location. Try searching for the file. wpa_supplicant.conf on the way /data/misc/wifi/WPA_SUPPLICANT/ or use the app WiFi Password Viewer (requires root).

4. Alternative methods (if nothing helps)

If none of the above methods work, don't despair. Here are a few more options:

🔄 How to reset a router:

1. Find the button on the back of the router. Reset (usually recessed into the body).
2. Press and hold it for 10-15 seconds using a paper clip or toothpick.
3. After rebooting, connect to the network with the router name (for example, TP-Link_1234) and enter the standard password (indicated on the sticker).

5. Why Xiaomi hides Wi-Fi passwords?

Starting from Android 10 And MIUI 12, Xiaomi Tightened its security policy by blocking access to Wi-Fi passwords through standard methods. This is due to:

• 🛡️ Data theft protection - If the phone falls into the wrong hands, the attacker will not be able to easily extract the passwords.
• 📱 Google's requirements — in new versions of Android, access to system files is limited even for root users.
• 🔄 Fight against piracy — Many users share passwords for paid networks, which violates the providers' terms and conditions.

🔍 How Xiaomi encrypts passwords:

IN MIUI 13/14 stores Wi-Fi network data in encrypted storage Keystore, which is linked to:

• Account Xiaomi (if it is linked to the phone).
• Device hardware identifier (IMEI).
• Screen lock password (if set).

This means that even with physical access to the phone, it's virtually impossible to extract the password without knowing the PIN or account details. The exception is exploits (vulnerabilities), but these are quickly patched with updates.

6. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

When trying to extract the Wi-Fi password on Redmi Note 8 Users often encounter typical problems. Here are the most common ones and how to solve them:

• 🔌 "ADB doesn't see the device":

  Check if it is enabled USB debugging V Settings → For developersAlso, make sure you're using the original cable—cheap cables may not support data transfer. As a last resort, try a different USB port on your computer.

• 🔒 "WifiConfigStore.xml file is encrypted":

  This means your MIUI version uses hardware encryption. Try downgrading to an older firmware (for example, MIUI 11) or use alternative methods (resetting the router, contacting the provider).

• 📱 "Backup not created":

  Make sure you have enough free space on your phone (at least 500 MB). Also, check that background processes for the app aren't disabled. Backup in the battery settings.

• 🔄 "After unpacking the archive, there is no password file.":

  In some MIUI versions, Wi-Fi data is stored in a different location within the archive. Try searching for files with the extension .db or .conf in the folder MiuiBackupExtractor.

⚠️ Attention: If you use custom firmware (For example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the paths to the password files may differ. In such cases, it is recommended to use specialized applications like WiFi Password Viewer (requires root).

FAQ: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is it possible to find out the Wi-Fi password on Redmi Note 8 without a computer?

Yes, but only if you have root rightsWithout them, the only way is to use MIUI backup (method 1), but you'll still need a computer to unzip the archive. Alternatively, reset the router or view the password on another device already connected to the network.

❓ Why are strange characters displayed instead of a password in the WifiConfigStore.xml file?

This means that the password is encrypted. Starting with Android 10 And MIUI 12, Xiaomi It uses hardware encryption, and it's impossible to extract the original password without special keys. In such cases, the only solution is to reset the router or contact your ISP.

❓ Does the ADB method work on Redmi Note 8 Pro?

Yes, but with reservations. Redmi Note 8 Pro has a different processor (Mediatek Helio G90T), and some ADB commands may not work due to manufacturer limitations. If the standard method doesn't work, try using adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WPA_SUPPLICANT/wpa_supplicant.conf.

❓ Is it possible to retrieve the password if the phone is unlocked but the touch screen is not working?

Yes, but for this you will need:

1. Connect your phone to your computer and turn it on. USB debugging (if it was activated earlier).
2. Use ADB commands to extract the password file (Method 2).
3. If debugging is not enabled, the only options left are to repair the screen or reset the router.

❓ Is it legal to use Wi-Fi hacking software?

No. In most countries, including Russia, unauthorized access to other people's networks is considered a violation of the law (Article 272 of the Russian Criminal Code - "Unauthorized access to computer information"). Even if you try to restore access to his own network, it is better to use official methods (resetting the router, contacting the provider).