How to Find a Wi-Fi Password on Android: Official and Hidden Methods

Forgetting your home or office Wi-Fi password is a problem almost every Android user has encountered. Unlike the iPhone, where passwords are stored in a private keystore, Android offers several ways to retrieve saved passcodes. However, not all methods work equally well: on some devices, root access is required (root), while on others, the standard system tools are sufficient.

In this article we will look at 5 working methodsHow to view your Wi-Fi password on Android, including official settings, hidden firmware features, and secure workarounds. We'll pay special attention to the nuances for different versions. Android 10–14 and brands (Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel etc.). You'll also learn why some methods stopped working after security updates and what to do if the network is saved but won't connect.

1. Standard method: password in Wi-Fi settings (Android 10+)

Starting from Android 10, Google added the ability to view passwords for saved networks directly in settings - but only for current connectionIf you're connected to a Wi-Fi network whose code you want to find out, follow these instructions:

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi.
2. Tap on the name of the current network (not on the switch!).
3. Click the button Share (or Share (on English firmware).
4. Confirm unlocking with PIN code, imprint or graphic key.

After this, a QR code and a text password for the network will open. This method works on 90% of devices with stock Android (Google Pixel, Motorola, Nokia) and Samsung One UI 3.0+ firmware. On Xiaomi (MIUI) and some other brands button Share may be missing - in this case, proceed to the next methods.

2. View passwords via the configuration file (without root)

Android stores all saved networks in a file. wpa_supplicant.conf. It can be accessed without superuser rights, but requires physical connection to a PC and USB debugging enabled. Instructions:

Turn on Developer mode (7 taps on the build number in Settings → About phone)

Activate USB debugging in the developer settings

Install the drivers ADB to your computer (download from Google's website)

Connect your phone to your PC via cable and trust the device-->

Next, run the commands in the terminal (Windows/Linux/macOS):

adb shell
su -c"cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml | grep -E'SSID|PreSharedKey'"

If the command returns an error Permission denied, then the file is protected on your device. In this case, only root access or alternative methods (see section 4). On some firmware (ColorOS, FuntouchOS) the path to the file may differ:

* On some devices (eg. Google Pixel 6+) access is blocked even through ADB due to security policy SELinux.

3. Using a backup (for non-rooted devices)

If you have automatic backup enabled on your phone, Google Account, you can extract passwords from a backup. This method works without root, but requires a computer and software. Android Backup Extractor.

Steps:

1. Create a backup via Settings → Google → Backup (make sure the option is enabled Application data).
2. Download the backup file using adb backup (team: adb backup -f backup.ab -all).
3. Unpack backup.ab through Android Backup Extractor (Java required).
4. Find the file apps/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db and open it in SQLite Browser.
5. In the table secure find the entry with name="wifi_wpa_supplicant_conf" — there will be an encrypted password.

The downside of this method: passwords in the backup are stored in encrypted form, and decrypting them requires a key generated individually for each device. In practice, this means that You can only restore a password from a backup on the same phone., where it was created.

4. Applications for viewing passwords (with and without root)

IN Google Play There are dozens of apps that promise to reveal saved Wi-Fi passwords. However, most of them either require root rights, or they only work on older versions of Android. We tested the top solutions:

• 🔓 WiFi Password Viewer — shows passwords on rooted devices, supports CSV export. Minus: not updated since 2021.
• 📱 WiFi Key Recovery - works without root on some firmware (for example, Samsung Exynos). Minus: shows only networks that were connected manually (not via WPS).
• 🔍 Network Info II — displays technical data of networks, but passwords only for root. Plus: shows MAC addresses and channels.
• ⚠️ WiFi Password Show — dangerous application! Requires unnecessary permissions (SMS, contacts) and contains adware.

Warning: Do not install apps that request permissions for SMS, geolocation, or contacts. to view Wi-Fi passwords. This is a classic sign of spyware. Safer alternatives (such as Termux with manual commands) are described in the next section.

5. Alternative methods: Termux and router managers

If standard methods don't work, you can use Termux — a terminal emulator for Android. Install it from F-Droid (not from Google Play - it has an outdated version) and run:

pkg update && pkg upgrade
pkg install tsu
tsu
cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml | grep psk=

If the command returns an empty result, try an alternative path:

ls /data/misc/wifi/ | grep -i wpa

For owners of routers with a web interface (TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic) The easiest way to view the password is in the admin panel:

1. Connect to the router via cable or Wi-Fi.
2. Open in browser 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 (the address is indicated on the router sticker).
3. Enter login/password (usually admin/admin).
4. Go to the section Wireless Mode → Security (or Wireless → Security).

6. Common problems and solutions

Not all methods work equally well. Here are some common pitfalls and how to avoid them:

• 🚫 "File not found" in ADB → Check the path for your firmware (see the table in section 2). Android 12+ the file may be called WifiConfigStoreSoftAp.xml.
• 🔒 "Bootloader unlock required" → On Xiaomi And Huawei To root, you need to officially unlock the bootloader (instructions on 4PDA).
• 📵 "I don't see the 'Share' button" → Update firmware or use TermuxOn . Samsung With One UI 5.0+, the button only appears for networks connected manually (not via WPS).
• ⚠️ "The password is displayed as asterisks." → This is a MIUI limitation. Solution: Copy it from the clipboard (long-press on the field).

If none of the methods worked, there are two options left:

1. Reset the router (button Reset) and set up Wi-Fi again.
2. Connect to the network from another device (for example, a laptop) and see the password there (in Windows: Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Wireless Network → Properties → Security).

FAQ: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

su
cp /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml /sdcard/Download/wifi_passwords.xml
chmod 644 /sdcard/Download/wifi_passwords.xml