How to View a Saved Wi-Fi Password on an Android Phone: 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 can't be bothered to look for the piece of paper with the code? On your Android smartphone, you can view saved passwords for networks you've previously connected to—but it's not always easy. Depending on your operating system version, phone model, and availability root rights The methods differ.

In this article we will look at all current methods — from standard Android tools to using specialized apps. You'll learn how to extract a password without root access (on most modern devices), what to do if your phone doesn't show saved networks, and how to bypass manufacturer restrictions like Xiaomi, Samsung or HuaweiAnd also – why some methods stopped working after Android 10 and what to do about it.

⚠️ Important: All methods in this article are intended only for extracting passwords from your own networksUsing them to hack other people's access points is illegal and may result in criminal liability under Article 272 of the Russian Criminal Code ("Unauthorized access to computer information").

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

Starting from Android 10 (and on some devices with Android 9 Pie), Google added a built-in feature for viewing passwords for saved networks. It works without root access, but not on all firmware versions—manufacturers like Xiaomi or OnePlus Sometimes this option is removed.

To check if it is on your phone:

1. Open Settings → Network and Internet (or Connections on Samsung).
2. Click Wi-Fi → Find the desired network in the list and tap on its name.
3. If there is a point Share (or Share (on English firmware) - click on it.
4. The system will ask PIN code, pattern or fingerprint for confirmation.
5. After authorization you will see QR code and a text password underneath it.

❌ If there is no "Share" option: then your manufacturer has removed this feature (often happens on MIUI, ColorOS (or older versions of Android). Proceed to the next methods.

2. Viewing the password via the configuration file (without root, but with ADB)

If there is no "Share" option in the settings, but you have a computer with ADB drivers installed, you can extract the password via the command line. This method works on all versions of Android, but requires connecting the phone to the PC.

You will need:

• 🔌 Cable USB-Type C (or Micro-USB for older models).
• 💻 Computer with ADB Tools (download platform-tools and unzip it to any folder).
• ⚙️ Enabled USB debugging on the phone (Settings → About phone → Build number - tap 7 times, then return to Settings → System → Developer options → USB debugging).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm debugging permission on your smartphone screen.
2. Open Command line (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) in the folder with platform-tools.
3. Enter the command to see a list of saved networks:

   adb shell cmd wifi list_networks

   Remember the number (networkId) the required network.

4. Get the password with the command (replace X to the network number):

   adb shell cmd wifi get_network_var X password

   The password will be displayed in the response.

⚠️ Attention: on some firmware (for example, MIUI 12+) This method may not work due to manufacturer limitations. In this case, try the method with root access or specialized applications.

Download platform-tools on your PC|Enable USB debugging on your phone|Connect your phone with the original cable|Run the command prompt as administrator-->

3. Using root access to view all passwords

If you have it on your phone root rights (or you are ready to receive them), you can see all saved passwords from Wi-Fi networks, including hidden ones. This method works on any versions of Android, but requires unlocking the bootloader and installation Magisk or SuperSU.

The easiest way is to use a file manager with root support, such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer:

1. Open the file manager and grant it root access.
2. Follow the path:

   /data/misc/wifi/

   or (on newer versions of Android):

   /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml

3. Find the file WifiConfigStore.xml and open it with a text editor.
4. Look for lines with <string name="PreSharedKey"> — after them the password will be indicated in encrypted or clear form.

🔹 Alternative: install the application WiFi Password Viewer (requires root). It will automatically extract all saved passwords and display them in a convenient list.

What to do if the WifiConfigStore.xml file is encrypted?

On Android 9+, passwords in this file may be stored encrypted. To decrypt them, you'll need a key from the system storage. /data/misc/keystoreTo do this:

1. Download the utility WiFi Password Key Recovery (requires root).

2. Follow the instructions in the app to extract the key.

3. Use the key to decrypt passwords from WifiConfigStore.xml using a Python script (can be found on GitHub).

⚠️ Attention: obtaining root rights resets the phone's warranty and may lead to system instability. On some models (for example, Samsung Knox) this also disables protected features like Samsung Pay or Secure Folder.

4. Password viewer apps without root (limited functionality)

IN Google Play There are dozens of apps that promise to show Wi-Fi passwords without root. 90% of them are fraudulent or contain malicious code. However, several legitimate utilities do work, but with serious limitations:

🔹 How to use:

1. Download one of the applications (for example, WiFi Password Recovery).
2. Run it and grant access to Wi-Fi settings.
3. The app will display a list of saved networks. Tap the one you want—if you're lucky, the password will appear.

⚠️ Attention: apps without root Can't extract passwords on Android 10 and later Due to changes in security policy, these apps are useless if your phone is running the latest firmware.

5. Viewing the password through the router's web interface

If none of the previous methods worked, the most reliable method — Go to your router settings and look at the password there. It works. on 100% of devices, regardless of phone model or Android version.

You will need:

• 📶 Connect to the same Wi-Fi network (or cable Ethernet).
• 🖥️ Any device with a browser (phone, tablet, PC).
• 🔑 Login and password from the router (usually admin/admin or indicated on the sticker).

Instructions:

1. Find out Router IP addressTo do this, go to your phone Settings → Wi-Fi, tap on the network name and look at the item Gateway (or Gateway). Usually it is 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1.
2. Open your browser and enter this IP into the address bar.
3. Enter your login and password (by default it is often admin/admin or admin/empty).
4. Go to the section Wi-Fi (or Wireless), then Security (Security).
5. Find the field Password (Password or Pre-Shared Key) - the current network key will be there.

🔹 If you don’t know your router login/password: Look for them on the sticker on the back of the device. If there is no sticker, try the standard combinations:

• admin / admin
• admin / password
• admin / (empty)
• user / user

6. Alternative methods (if nothing helps)

If none of these methods work, radical measures remain. These should only be used as a last resort:

• 🔄 Resetting the router to factory settings. Click the button Reset on the back of the router (hold for 10-15 seconds). After this, the network will be named by default (for example, TP-Link_1234), and the password will be indicated on the sticker.
• 📱 Using another device. If you have a second phone, tablet or laptop that is connected to this network, try to extract the password from it (for example, via Network and Sharing Center on Windows).
• 📧 Contact your provider. If your router was provided by your internet service provider, call support—they can reset your password remotely or provide it over the phone (you'll need to confirm your personal information).

⚠️ Attention: resetting the router will delete all settings, including linked devices, ports, parental controls, and IP settings. After this, you'll have to reconfigure your internet connection (connection details are usually specified in your contract with your provider).

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

Is it possible to see the Wi-Fi password on Android without root or a computer?

Yes, but only if your phone is on Android 10 or later and the manufacturer did not remove the "Share" function (see first method). On older versions or custom firmware (for example, MIUI) this is impossible without additional tools.

Why is the password encrypted in the WifiConfigStore.xml file?

Starting from Android 9 PieGoogle has tightened its security policy, and passwords are stored encrypted. To decrypt them, you need a key from the system storage, which can only be retrieved with root access or through ADB (cm. the second method).

Do password viewer apps work on Samsung Galaxy?

On most devices Samsung (especially with One UI) applications without root don't work due to additional security restrictions. Try the method with ADB or go to your router settings.

Is it possible to find out the password for someone else's Wi-Fi network?

No, it is illegallyAll methods in this article are only for extracting passwords from your own networks, to which the phone is already connected. Hacking other people's access points is punishable under Article 272 of the Russian Criminal Code.

What should I do if the internet doesn't work after resetting my router?

After resetting, you'll need to reconfigure your internet connection. The details for this (connection type, login/password) are usually included in your contract with your provider or on a sticker on your router. If you're unsure, call your provider's support team; they'll help you set it up.