How to view the password of a saved Wi-Fi network on Android

Needing to connect a new device to your home wireless network but forgetting the password is a common situation. Fortunately, modern smartphones based on Android They often store information about previously connected access points in memory. This makes it easy to restore access if you've ever entered a security key on the device.

However, the process of extracting this information directly depends on the operating system version and the availability of superuser rights. In older versions of the interface, the data was hidden deeper, while in the latest builds Google has implemented convenient sharing mechanisms via QR codes. Understanding these differences is critical to successfully completing the procedure.

In this guide, we'll cover the system's built-in tools in detail, which don't require third-party software, and also cover methods for advanced users. You'll learn how to visually read encrypted data and what to do if standard menu paths are unavailable.

The standard method is via QR code on Android 10 and later.

Starting from version 10 Android, company Google We've implemented a native QR code generation feature for quickly connecting guests. This same mechanism also allows the device owner to see the text version of the password. To get started, navigate to the wireless settings section.

Find the item Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-FiFrom the list of available networks, select the one you're currently connected to, or click the gear icon next to the name of a saved network. In the connection properties menu that opens, look for the "Share" button or a QR code icon.

After clicking, the system will ask you to confirm your identity using a PIN, fingerprint, or face scan. This is a security measure to prevent unauthorized access. Upon successful authentication, a square code will appear on the screen.

⚠️ Attention: On some smartphone models (for example, old firmware Samsung or Xiaomi) A text password may be displayed directly under the QR code. If there is no text, take a screenshot and open it through Google Lens or any code scanner for decryption.

Visualizing data via the camera is the most secure method, as it doesn't require access to system files. QR encoding contains a format string. WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:MyPassword;;, where the symbols after P: and there is the sought-after key.

Using Google Lens to decipher

If the password is not clearly written under the QR code image, the built-in application will come to the rescue Google Lens (Lens). It's preinstalled on most certified devices and can read text from images. Open your gallery, select the screenshot you took earlier with the code, and click "Search by image" or "Lens."

The system will analyze the image and highlight the text blocks. A line with network data will appear at the top of the screen or in the tooltips. Clicking on it will display the full configuration text, including the password. This is a universal method that works on Samsung Galaxy, Pixel and many other brands.

• 📱 Take a screenshot of the screen with the QR code using the volume and power buttons.
• 🔍 Open the Google or Gallery app and run image analysis.
• 📄 Copy the line starting with WIFI:, and find the characters after the letter P.

It is worth noting that in some shells, such as MIUI from XiaomiWhen you tap a QR code, a separate window may appear with a "Password" text field, which can be copied with a single tap. This simplifies the process and makes using third-party scanners unnecessary.

Viewing passwords through Google Account settings

In newer versions of the operating system, starting with Android 12 and especially in Android 14, a function for synchronizing Wi-Fi passwords via an account has appeared GoogleThis allows you to see saved networks on all devices linked to the same account. To test this feature, open Settings → Google → Autofill → Autofill from Google.

In the menu that opens, select "Google Passwords" or "Password Manager." This is where all your saved passwords are stored. Find the name of your wireless network in the list. When you tap it, the system will again prompt you for biometric verification or a PIN to unlock the screen.

This method is particularly convenient because it allows you to find the password even on a device that is not currently connected to the network but has previously saved it. Synchronization ensures access to data at any time, a significant advantage of the ecosystem. Google.

Using ADB on Non-Rooted Devices

For users who do not wish to obtain full superuser rights but own the computer, there is a method using the debug bridge ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method allows you to extract the system configuration file, which stores all passwords ever entered in clear text.

First, you need to activate developer mode on your smartphone. To do this, go to Settings → About phone Tap the build number seven times quickly. After that, the "Developer options" option will appear in the settings menu, where you need to enable "USB debugging."

⚠️ Warning: Using ADB requires installing device drivers and platform tools on your PC. Inexperienced users should exercise caution when entering commands to avoid damaging the system.

Connect your phone to your computer using a cable and open a command prompt in the ADB tools folder. Enter the following command to test the connection:

adb devices

A debugging permission request will appear on your phone's screen, which you must confirm. Next, run the command to copy the system file. wpa_supplicant.conf to the computer:

adb pull /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf c:/wifi_pass.txt

Open the resulting file wifi_pass.txt any text editor. Inside you will find blocks with network names (ssid) and their corresponding passwords (psk). This method works on most devices, even without root access, unless your Android version blocks access to this folder via ADB (on newer versions, access may be limited).

What to do if ADB doesn't see the device?

Make sure you have the correct USB driver installed for your phone model. Try replacing your USB cable with a genuine one, as cheap cables often only support charging. Also, check that the USB mode is set to "File Transfer" or "PTP" in the notification shade.

Method for Rooted Devices

If your smartphone has an unlocked bootloader and root privileges, password extraction is trivial. You gain full access to the file system, including protected system directories. You'll need a root-enabled file manager, such as Root Explorer or MT Manager.

Launch the file manager and grant it superuser privileges when prompted. Navigate to the following path: /data/misc/wifi/Find the file wpa_supplicant.confOpen it with the built-in text editor.

• 📂 Find the block network, corresponding to your network by name ssid.
• 🔑 Line psk="your_password" contains the required key.
• 💾 Save changes if you edited the file, or simply copy the password.

An alternative method for root users is to use specialized apps from the Play Market, such as "WiFi Password Viewer." They automatically read this file and display a list of all networks in a user-friendly interface. However, using such apps carries a potential risk of data leakage, so manually viewing it through a file manager is considered safer.

Weigh all the risks before performing these manipulations.

Third-party applications and their limitations

In the store Google Play There are many apps that promise to reveal saved passwords. However, after the release of Android 10, security policies were significantly tightened. Apps without root access can no longer read the file. wpa_supplicant.conf directly.

Most of these programs currently operate as a hack: they attempt to emulate user actions or exploit clipboard access. Some simply redirect you to Wi-Fi settings to generate a QR code, claiming it's their "unique feature."

⚠️ Warning: Be extremely cautious with apps that require suspicious permissions. Many of them can collect data about your connections and transmit it to third parties. Trust only trusted developers.

If you have an older Android device (versions 6-9), apps like "WiFi Password Show" can work effectively. On modern devices, their functionality is limited or requires complex configuration via ADB to grant special permissions.adb shell pm grant).

The most sensible solution for modern smartphones remains using the system's built-in tools or a Google Account. This ensures the device's security and stability without the need to install questionable software.

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

No, this is impossible. Android doesn't store passwords for networks the device has never connected to. To obtain the password, you need physical access to the router (if it has a sticker) or know it from another device already authorized on the network.

Is it safe to use file managers with root access?

Using trusted file managers (e.g., Solid Explorer, MT Manager) is safe as long as you manage access rights yourself. The only risk arises when installing apps from unknown sources, which can secretly transmit your system files to attackers.

What to do if the QR code cannot be read?

Try increasing the screen brightness, wiping the camera, or adjusting the angle. If the code is damaged or too small, you can use the Google Account method or try scanning the code with a different scanner app.

Where is the wpa_supplicant.conf file stored on different Android versions?

The traditional path is /data/misc/wifi/. However, on some Android 11+ devices, the path may be changed to /data/misc/apexdata/com.android.wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml due to the implementation of Project Mainline, making access difficult without specialized tools.