How to find a saved Wi-Fi password on Android: all the methods

Forgot your home Wi-Fi password, and the sticker on your router has worn off? Or need to connect a new device, but you haven't written down the password anywhere? You can use your Android smartphone or tablet view saved Wi-Fi passwords — even if the access point is connected automatically. However, not all operating system versions allow this to be done directly through the menu.

In this article - 5 proven methodsHow to find your Wi-Fi password on Android, including hidden settings, working with configuration files, and specialized apps. We'll also explain why some methods stopped working after Android 10, and how to bypass restrictions without root rights. Important: perform all manipulations only with your own networks - accessing other people's passwords may violate the law.

If you are using a smartphone based on MIUI (Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO), EMUI (Huawei, Honor) or One UI (Samsung), the chances of seeing the password through the default settings are higher. For owners of "clean" Android or devices with OxygenOS (OnePlus) will have to use alternative methods.

1. View the password via Wi-Fi settings (not available on all Android devices)

The easiest way is to look at the settings of the connected network. Unfortunately, it's not available. only on some firmware versions (For example, MIUI or EMUI) and Android versions up to 9 PieGoogle has removed this feature on new devices for security reasons.

To check if your smartphone supports this method:

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi.
2. Find your network in the list and tap on its name.
3. Search for the item Show password, Share (Share) or icon QR code.

On Xiaomi the path may look like this: Settings → Wi-Fi → Network name → Share passwordThe system will ask you to enter PIN code or fingerprint to confirm. A QR code containing the password will then be displayed—it can be scanned with another device or read manually.

What should I do if there is no "Show password" option?

Starting with Android 10, Google has disabled displaying passwords in plaintext via the default settings. This is to protect against malicious apps that could steal stored data. If you have a newer OS version, proceed to the following methods.

On Samsung Galaxy With One UI Sometimes a workaround works:

1. Go to Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi.
2. Tap on your network and select Network management.
3. Click QR code - in some firmware versions the password is displayed below it.

⚠️ Attention: If you only see a QR code without a text password, don't rush to download third-party apps. Try the method with configuration file (section 3) - it works without root and does not require software installation.

2. Using the network QR code (without root)

Many modern smartphones allow generate a QR code to connect to Wi-Fi. It contains not only SSID (network name), but also the password. To extract the password from the QR code, you will need any scanning app, such as Google Lens or QR & Barcode Scanner.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open Settings → Wi-Fi and tap on your network.
• 🔍 Find the option Share, QR code or Invite (on Samsung).
• 📸 Take a screenshot of the QR code or scan it with another device.
• 🔑 Use an online service (for example, ZXing Decoder) or a decryption app. The result will look like this:

  WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:my_password;;

  Where P:my_password - this is the password.

This method works on most devices including Pixel, Samsung And OnePlus, but requires the smartphone to be connected to the network. If you don't see a QR code in the settings, try alternative QR code generator apps, such as WiFi QR Generator.

3. View the Wi-Fi configuration file (requires a file manager)

Android stores all saved Wi-Fi passwords in an encrypted file. wpa_supplicant.confAccess to it is possible. without root rights, but only through special file managers, for example FX Explorer or Solid ExplorerImportant: This method does not work on all versions of Android (starting with Android 10 the file may be hidden or encrypted).

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Install a file manager with support root access (even if you don't have one). It will do. FX Explorer or Root Browser.
2. Follow the path:

   /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore/

   or (on older versions of Android):

   /data/misc/wifi/

3. Find the file wpa_supplicant.conf and open it with a text editor.
4. Look for blocks like:

   network={
   ssid="network_name"
   psk="wifi_password"
   key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
   }

   Where psk - this is the password.

If the file is missing or empty, try an alternative path:

/data/vendor/wifi/WifiConfigStore/

⚠️ Attention: On Android 11+, this method often doesn't work due to changes in the data storage system. If the file exists, but the passwords are encrypted (for example, in the form psk=xxxxxxxxxxxx), they cannot be decrypted without root rights.

Install a file manager with root access|Enable display of hidden files|Check the path /data/misc/wifi/|Look for the file wpa_supplicant.conf-->

4. Apps for viewing Wi-Fi passwords (with and without root)

If standard methods fail, third-party apps can help. They fall into two categories:

• 🔓 Without root rights: work only on older versions of Android (up to 9 Pie) or on some firmware (for example, MIUI). Examples: WiFi Password Viewer, WiFi Key Recovery.
• 🛡️ With root rights: provide full access to system files. Examples: Root Browser, ES File Explorer (old version).

Top 3 Password Viewer Apps:

Warning: Many applications in Google Play, promising to show passwords without root, are fraudulent or contain malicious code. Before installing, check reviews and ratings. It's best to use trusted tools, such as FX Explorer to manually search for a file.

5. Reset the router and view the password on the sticker

If none of the software methods worked, there remains hardware method — reset the router to factory settings and look at the password on the sticker. This is a radical solution, but it's guaranteed to work if you have physical access to the router.

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 10-15 seconds (until the indicators flash).
3. After rebooting, the router will return to factory settings.
4. On the bottom or back of the device, find a sticker with the connection information. Look for the following fields:
   • SSID or Network Name — network name;
   • Password, Key or Wi-Fi Key - password.

Disadvantages of the method:

• ⚠️ All router settings (including port forwarding, parental control And guest network) will be reset.
• ⚠️ You will have to reconfigure your internet connection (data from your provider).

⚠️ Attention: If the router is rented from a provider (for example, Rostelecom, MTS or Beeline), resetting may block internet access. In this case, contact support—they will provide connection details.

6. Alternative methods (if nothing helps)

If all the above methods don't work, try these options:

Method 1: Connecting to the router via cable

• 🖥️ Connect your laptop or PC to the router via Ethernet cable.
• 🌐 Enter the address in your browser 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 (check the router sticker).
• 🔑 Log in (default logins: admin/admin or admin/password).
• 📡 Go to the section Wi-Fi or Wireless network — there will be a password.

Method 2: Using ADB (for advanced users)

If the smartphone is enabled USB debugging, you can extract passwords through ADB (Android Debug Bridge). To do this:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and run the command:

   adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore/wpa_supplicant.conf

2. Open the downloaded file and find the line with psk.

⚠️ On Android 10+, this method requires root rights.

Method 3: Contact your provider

If your router was provided by your ISP, call support and ask for your Wi-Fi password. They have access to your equipment's settings. Support numbers:

• 📞 Rostelecom: 8 800 100 08 00
• 📞 MTS: 8 800 250 08 90
• 📞 Beeline: 8 800 700 80 00

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about viewing Wi-Fi passwords on Android

❓ Is it possible to find out the Wi-Fi password without rooting on Android 12?

Starting from Android 10Google has blocked apps and users from viewing saved passwords without root access. The only working methods are:

• Network QR code (if there is a "Share" option);
• Resetting the router;
• Connecting to the router's web interface.

Applications from Google Play, promising to show passwords without root, most likely will not work or contain viruses.

❓ Why in the file wpa_supplicant.conf Are the passwords encrypted?

Starting from Android 9 Pie, passwords in this file are stored in encrypted form (for example, psk=xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx). This is done to protect against data theft if the file is leaked. They can only be decrypted with:

• Root access;
• Encryption key (it is unique for each device).

Without root, decryption is impossible.

❓ How to find out the Wi-Fi password on iPhone?

On iOS There's no built-in way to view saved Wi-Fi passwords. However, you can:

1. Connect Mac to the same network and open Bunch of keys (Keychain Access).
2. Find the network name, open the properties and check the box. Show password.

On Windows The password can be viewed through Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change adapter settings → Wireless Network → Status → Wireless Network Properties → Security.

❓ Is it legal to use other people's Wi-Fi passwords?

In most countries, including Russia, unauthorized access to other people's networks is considered a violation of the law. According to Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Unauthorized access to computer information"), hacking Wi-Fi can result in a fine or criminal prosecution.

The exception is networks that you have legal right to access (for example, home Wi-Fi or a corporate network with administrator permission).

❓ Is it possible to recover a Wi-Fi password if the router is broken?

If your router won't turn on or is broken, but you have a backup copy of its settings (configuration file), you can extract the password from it. To do this:

1. Locate the backup file (usually with the extension .cfg or .bin).
2. Open it with a text editor (eg. Notepad++).
3. Look for lines with WirelessKey, PreSharedKey or WPAPassphrase.

If there is no backup, it is impossible to recover the password; you will have to set up the router again.