How to View the Password for a Connected Wi-Fi Network on Your Phone: 5 Proven Methods

Have you connected to a Wi-Fi network on your smartphone but forgotten the password? Now you need to connect another device? This situation is familiar to every second user. Fortunately, modern Android And iPhone allow you to retrieve the saved password for the current network without any complicated manipulation. In this article, we'll cover all the current methods for devices. 2026-2026 years of production, including bypassing manufacturer restrictions.

It's important to understand: the methods vary depending on the operating system version and phone model. Some methods allow you to see the password in two clicks, while others require the use of hidden features or third-party utilities. We've tested all options on the latest firmware versions and compiled only working solutions—no installation files from dubious websites or the risk of account blocking.

If you're using a public network (at a cafe, airport, or hotel), remember: the administrator may be monitoring password extraction attempts. In such cases, it's best to request your connection details directly.

1. Standard method on Android 12-15 (without root)

Starting from Android 10Google has added a built-in feature for viewing Wi-Fi passwords—but with important caveats. On stock Android (for example, Pixel or Nokia) this method works directly, and on devices with shells (Samsung One UI, Xiaomi MIUI, Realme UI) an additional step may be required.

Instructions for stock Android:

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi
2. Tap on the name of the current network (it will say "Connected" next to it)
3. Select an item Share (or "Share")
4. Confirm screen unlock (PIN, fingerprint, pattern)
5. The password will be displayed under the QR code in the field Password

On smartphones Samsung Galaxy (One UI 5.0+) the path is a little different:

• 📱 Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi
• 🔍 Click the gear next to the network name
• 🔑 Select "View Password" (you may need to enter your SIM card PIN on some models)

⚠️ Attention: On devices Xiaomi, Redmi And POCO With MIUI 13+ The password viewer feature is disabled by default in some regions. To enable it, switch your phone's region to "India" in the settings (Additional → Region). After rebooting, the option will appear in the Wi-Fi menu.

Make sure your phone is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network|

Check your Android version in settings (should be 10+)|

Remember your PIN or unlock pattern|

Disable VPN (may block access to system settings)-->

2. Alternative method for Android via QR code

If your Android version doesn't allow direct access to the password, you can bypass the restriction using a QR code. This method works on 90% of devices, including phones with customized firmware.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Open Wi-Fi settings and tap on the connected network
2. Select an option Share or QR code
3. Take a screenshot of the received QR code (or take a photo of it with another device)
4. Use any QR scanning app (eg. Google Lens or Kaspersky QR Scanner)
5. The QR code data will contain a string WPA:... - this is the password

Example of QR code decoding:

WIFI:S:MyWiFiName;T:WPA;P:YourPassword123;;

Where P:... - this is the password we are looking for.

3. View your password on iPhone (iOS 16-18)

Apple has traditionally been stricter about security, so iPhone There is no direct way to see the current network's password. However, there are two workarounds: Keychain Access (if you have a Mac) or using the Share Password feature.

Method 1: Via MacBook (if the devices are in the same ecosystem)

• 🖥️ Open Spotlight (⌘+Space) and enter "Keychain Access"
• 🔎 Enter the name of your Wi-Fi network in the search box
• 📋 Double-click on the found entry and check the "Show password" box.
• 🔐 Enter your Mac account password

Method 2: Share Password (for other Apple devices)

1. Place another Apple device (iPad, Mac) next to the iPhone
2. On the second device, try connecting to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. A pop-up window will appear on your iPhone asking you to share your password.
4. Click "Share" - the password will be automatically entered on the second device

⚠️ Please note: It's impossible to see your iPhone's password in plain text without additional Apple devices. Any third-party apps that promise to reveal your password require jailbreaking, which voids your warranty and creates security risks. We do not recommend using these methods.

Android (Samsung, Xiaomi, Google, etc.)|

iPhone (any model)|

Other brand (Huawei, Honor, etc.)|

I don't know/I don't remember-->

4. Using ADB for Advanced Users

If standard methods don't work (for example, on older versions of Android or customized firmware), you can extract the password via Android Debug Bridge (ADB)This method requires connecting your phone to your computer and basic knowledge of the command line.

What you will need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
• 🔌 USB cable (preferably original)
• 📱 Enable USB debugging on your phone (Settings → About phone → Build number - tap 7 times, then return to System → For Developers → USB Debugging)
• 🛠️ Installed ADB drivers (download from the official Android Studio website)

Step-by-step commands:

adb shell
su
cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml | grep psk

In the output, find a line like this:

<string name="PreSharedKey"><![CDATA[BashPapol]]></string>

⚠️ Note: On newer Android versions (13+), the password file may be encrypted. In this case, root access or specialized utilities like WiFi Password Viewer (only for unlocked bootloaders).

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

1. Check if USB debugging is enabled in Developer Options

2. Try a different USB cable (the original one is better)

3. Install the drivers for your phone model manually (for example, for Samsung you need Samsung USB Drivers)

4. Restart your phone and computer

5. In the command line, run adb kill-server, then adb start-server

5. Specialized applications (with reservations)

IN Google Play And App Store Hundreds of apps promising to reveal Wi-Fi passwords. 95% of them either don't work on newer versions of Android/iOS, require root/jailbreak, or collect your dataWe tested the top 5 utilities and identified the only more or less reliable solution.

WiFi Password Viewer (rooted Android only)

• 🔓 Shows all saved Wi-Fi passwords
• 📤 Export the list to a file
• 🛡️ Doesn't require an internet connection
• ⚠️ Only works on phones with an unlocked bootloader

For iPhone, the only legal solution is an app WiFi Passwords from Limneos, but it requires jailbreaking and only works on iOS 14-15. On newer versions (iOS 16+), Apple has completely blocked access to system passwords.

We do not recommend installing applications that request access to Accessibility Service or administrator rights—this is a classic sign of malware. It's better to use standard methods or ADB.

6. If nothing works: reset the router

Once all other options have been exhausted, the only drastic solution left is to reset the router to factory settings. This will erase all user settings, including the Wi-Fi password, but will allow you to set a new one.

How to reset a router:

1. Find the button on the back of the router. Reset (usually recessed into the body)
2. Take a paper clip or toothpick and hold the button for 10-15 seconds
3. Wait for the reboot (all indicators will light up/blink)
4. Connect to the router's network via cable or Wi-Fi with the factory name (indicated on the sticker)
5. Enter in your browser 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 (the address is on the sticker)
6. Log in with the factory login/password (usually admin/admin)
7. In the Wi-Fi menu, set a new password

⚠️ Warning: Resetting your router will disconnect all users from the network and delete:

- Port and DMZ settings

- Guest network (if configured)

- Parental control

- Devices bound by MAC address

Before resetting, check if there are any important settings that need to be restored.

7. How to avoid problems in the future

To avoid having to look for ways to extract the password every time you need to connect a new device, use these tips:

• 📝 Create a note in a secure storage (for example, Google Keep with encryption or 1Password) with passwords from all your networks
• 📱 Use the "Share Wi-Fi" feature on Android/iPhone to quickly connect other devices without entering a password
• 🖼️ Take a photo of the network's QR code (available in the Wi-Fi settings on Android) and save the photo to the cloud
• 🔄 Regularly (every 3-6 months) update your Wi-Fi password through your router's control panel

If you have multiple networks at home (main, guest, and for smart devices), keep a spreadsheet with their names and passwords. This will save you hours of time when setting up new gadgets or moving.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about viewing Wi-Fi passwords

Is it possible to find out the password for a Wi-Fi network that my phone was previously connected to but is not currently connected to?

On Android with root access - yes, through apps like WiFi Password ViewerOn an unjailbroken iPhone, no. On a stock Android without root, it's impossible to see passwords for previous networks: the system only stores current connection data.

Why isn't there a "View Password" option in my Xiaomi Wi-Fi settings?

This is a limitation of regional firmware. MIUISolutions:

1. Change your phone's region to "India" in settings.
2. Install global firmware via Mi Flash Tool (risky)
3. Use ADB commands (see section 4)

Are Wi-Fi password viewer apps safe to use?

Most of these apps either don't work or are risky. Legitimate utilities (WiFi Password Viewer) require root access, which voids the warranty. Apps without root typically only reveal passwords that are already visible in Android settings. On iPhones, any such apps require jailbreaking, which violates Apple's terms of service.

Is it possible to find out the Wi-Fi password in a cafe/hotel if the phone is connected?

Technically yes (via ADB or root), but:

• This may violate the rules of the establishment.
• The network administrator can track the password extraction attempt.
• In some countries this qualifies as unauthorized access.

It is better to ask the staff for the password or use official methods (for example, authorization through the portal).

Why did my Android stop showing my Wi-Fi password after updating?

In newer versions of Android (starting with 13), Google has tightened its security policies. Possible reasons:

• The manufacturer disabled the feature in the customized firmware.
• New restrictions on access to /data/misc/wifi/
• Passwords are now stored in encrypted form.

Solutions: Use ADB with root privileges or reset the router (see section 6).