The situation of needing to connect a new device to the network, but hopelessly forgetting its password, is familiar to many smartphone owners. In the ecosystem Android, and in particular in the shell MIUI or HyperOSThere are built-in mechanisms for finding saved access keys. This is especially relevant for those who rely on automatic connections and rarely enter data manually.
Modern firmware versions from Xiaomi provide fairly flexible tools for managing network connections. However, access to this information may vary depending on the operating system version and regional settings. In some cases, the system hides characters for security reasons, requiring additional methods.
In this guide, we'll cover all the current methods for restoring access to lost data. You'll learn how to use the standard interface functionality, QR code scanning capabilities, and more advanced methods for experienced users. It's important to understand that some steps will require additional information. superuser rights or access to the router's admin panel.
Using standard MIUI and HyperOS functionality
Starting with certain versions of the shell MIUI 12 and in all current builds HyperOS, the developers have implemented the ability to view passwords through the Wi-Fi menu. This is the simplest and most secure method, requiring no third-party software. However, it only works if your phone is already connected to the network or has been connected to one before.
To get started, open Settings and go to the Wireless Networks section. Find the section for managing connections and select the network whose information you want to access. The window that opens will often display a "Share" button or a QR code icon. This interface element is the key to unlocking the mystery.
Click on the (Share) button or icon QR codeA graphic code containing an encrypted connection string will appear on the screen. In most modern models Xiaomi And Redmi A small text string containing the password appears below or next to the code itself. If the text is hidden by dots, try taking a screenshot.
⚠️ Note: On some global firmware versions, the key text display under the QR code may be hidden for Google's security purposes. In this case, use the screenshot method or refer to your router settings.
Take a screenshot and open it in the gallery. Often the system MIUI will automatically recognize text in the image, allowing you to copy the desired character combination. If automatic recognition doesn't work, you can use the built-in "Recognize Text in Images" feature in the Google Lens app or similar services.
Viewing data via QR code and third-party scanners
The QR code method is universal for the entire ecosystem. Android. Even if your phone Xiaomi For some reason, the password isn't displayed in plain text beneath the graphic. The code itself contains all the necessary information in plaintext. It can be decrypted using any third-party scanner app.
There are many free apps available Google Play, which can read QR codes and display their contents in plain text. You don't need any special hacking software; a standard reader is sufficient. After installing such an app, simply scan the code generated by the system.
The scan result will be a string of the following format: WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:MyPassword123;;In this line, we are interested in the part after P:This is the access key we're looking for. All characters up to the double colon at the end are the password.
- 📱 Open the Wi-Fi menu on your Xiaomi phone.
- 🔍 Click on the QR code icon or the Share button.
- 📸 Take a screenshot of the screen with the code.
- 📲 Open the QR scanner app and select an image from your gallery.
- 📝 Copy the value following the P: label.
Using third-party scanners is safe, as they only decode the graphic image you created on your device. No data is transmitted to remote servers; the process occurs locally. This is a reliable method for older versions. MIUI, where text output has not yet been implemented.
Accessing the router control panel via a browser
If the phone can't display the saved key due to system limitations, there's always a "back door"—the router's control panel itself. Any smartphone Xiaomi has a built-in browser through which you can access the router settings if the device is connected to the network.
First, you need to find out the gateway's IP address. Go to your Wi-Fi settings, click on the name of your active network, and find "Gateway" or "Router." This address usually looks like this: 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1Enter this address into the address bar of your browser.
The system will ask for your login and password to access the admin panel. By default, these are often listed on a sticker on the bottom of the router (admin/admin). If you've previously changed these details, use them. Once inside, find the section Wireless or "Wireless Network".
☑️ Checking access to the router
There will be a field in the wireless settings Wireless Password or "Security Key." There you can see your current password and change it to a more complex one if necessary. This method works regardless of your Android version or MIUI.
| Router brand | Standard IP | Default login | Default password |
|---|---|---|---|
| TP-Link | 192.168.0.1 | admin | admin |
| ASUS | 192.168.1.1 | admin | admin |
| D-Link | 192.168.0.1 | admin | (empty) |
| Keenetic | 192.168.1.1 | admin | 1234 |
| Xiaomi | 192.168.31.1 | admin | (without password) |
⚠️ Note: Router interfaces are constantly being updated. The menu items may differ from those described. Look for sections labeled "Wireless," "WLAN," or "Security."
Using ADB to extract system files
For advanced users who are not afraid of the command line, there is a method using Android Debug Bridge (ADB)This method allows you to extract the system file that stores all saved networks without root access on some versions of Android, although most often superuser access is required to read protected partitions.
The essence of the method is to connect the phone to the computer and execute commands to copy the file wpa_supplicant.confThis file is located in the system directory and contains an XML-like structure with network names (SSID) and their corresponding passwords in clear text.
To implement this method, you will need to install ADB drivers on your PC, enable USB debugging in the Developer Options menu on your phone Xiaomi and connect the device with a cable. Once the connection is established, the file pull command is executed.
adb pull /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf c:/wifi_keys.txt
The resulting text file can be opened with Notepad. Inside you will find entries like ssid="Home_WiFi" And psk="password123"This is the most technically complex, but also the most reliable way to access any stored data if the system blocks its viewing using standard tools.
What to do if ADB doesn't detect the phone?
Make sure USB debugging is enabled on your phone. When connected to a PC, a prompt will appear on your phone's screen asking for debugging permission—be sure to tap "OK." You may also need the original cables, as some cheap ones only support charging.
Android Access Issues and Security Limitations
Since version Android 10 and above, Google has significantly strengthened security measures, restricting access of apps and even system components to files containing Wi-Fi passwords without special permissions. On phones Xiaomi This may manifest itself in the fact that even with root rights, some file managers do not see the contents of system folders.
The main problem lies in the encryption and isolation mechanism for app data. The system prevents regular programs from reading network configuration files. This is why old methods of installing apps like "WiFi Password Viewer" on new smartphones Redmi And POCO often don't work or show a blank screen.
The only solution in such cases is to use a QR code (if the system allows one) or reset the router. Attempts to circumvent these restrictions by installing modified versions of the system may void the warranty or cause unstable operation of the device.
- 🔒 Android 10+ blocks direct access to configuration files.
- 📱Viewer apps often require root access.
- ⚙️ On Xiaomi, access may be limited by MIUI Optimization settings.
- 🛡️ Google Play Protect may flag such apps as dangerous.
It's also worth noting that on some global firmware versions, the password display feature in Wi-Fi settings may be disabled by localization. In this case, the only solution is to flash the firmware to the Chinese version or use methods through a router.
Resetting the router as a last resort
If none of the software methods work, and access to the router's admin panel is also lost (the password has been changed and forgotten), the last resort is a complete factory reset. This will erase all current configurations, including the network name and security key.
There is a small button on the body of any router. Reset, often recessed into the case. To reset, press it with a paperclip or toothpick and hold for about 10-15 seconds until the indicators flash simultaneously. After the reset, the router will return to its out-of-the-box state.
After the reset, you'll be able to connect to the network using the password found on the sticker on the bottom of the device (unless it was changed automatically by your provider during initial setup). However, this method requires reconfiguring your internet connection, which may require a call to your provider.
⚠️ Warning: Resetting your router will temporarily disable internet access for all connected devices. Make sure you have a valid agreement with your ISP in case you need to re-authorize (PPPoE, L2TP).
Use this method only if other options have been exhausted. For devices Xiaomi This is especially true if the phone cannot transfer the password to the new device due to software errors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to find out the Wi-Fi password on a Xiaomi without root access?
Yes, it's possible. The easiest way is to use the "Share" feature in your Wi-Fi settings to generate a QR code and scan it with any scanner or Google Lens. You can also access your router settings through a browser.
Where can I find the wpa_supplicant.conf file on Xiaomi?
The file is located at the path /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.confTo access this folder, you need root privileges (SuperSU or Magisk) and a file manager with access to the system partition, such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer.
Why can't I see the password in the QR code screenshot?
In some versions of MIUI and HyperOS, the password text field is hidden behind graphics or replaced with asterisks. In this case, try taking a screenshot and opening it in Google Photos or Google Lens to recognize the text.
Are password recovery apps safe to use?
Apps that require root access are technically safe as long as they don't contain malicious code. However, apps that promise to "hack" your neighbor's Wi-Fi without root are often scams or contain ads. Be careful when installing software from untrusted sources.