How to see your Wi-Fi password on a Samsung phone: all the methods for Android 10–14

Forgot your home Wi-Fi password, and the router is in an awkward location with the sticker worn down to holes? Or do you need to connect a new device but can't be bothered to find the piece of paper with the code? On phones Samsung Galaxy under control Android 10–14 There are several ways to retrieve a saved network password - and most of them do not require superuser rights (root). In this article, we will examine all the relevant methods: from built-in functions One UI to workarounds using ADB and file manager.

It is important to understand: Android hides Wi-Fi passwords for security reasons, so the default settings will not show them in plain text. However, manufacturers (including Samsung) often add hidden features for viewing network data. We tested all methods on models Galaxy S22 Ultra, A53 5G And Note 20 — the results are summarized in the compatibility table below. If your phone was released before 2019 or runs on Android 9 and later, some methods may not work.

Please be advised that some actions will require USB debugging or installing additional utilities. If you're not ready to experiment, skip the sections with ADB and proceed to the method through backup copy (the safest, but the longest).

1. Method via Samsung settings (without root)

Starting from Android 10 and shells One UI 2.5+, Samsung Added a hidden feature for exporting Wi-Fi passwords to a file. This method works on most modern smartphones from the brand, but requires several mandatory conditions:

• 📱 The phone must be unlocked (entering a PIN code is not enough - full access to the system is required).
• 🔗 Connect to that Wi-Fi network, the password for which you want to know (or the phone should have connected to it before).
• 📁 The phone must have at least 100 MB of free space to create a backup copy.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Open Settings → Cloud and accounts → Backup and restore.
2. Select Data backup and press Start backup.
3. Wait for the process to complete (may take 5-15 minutes depending on the amount of data).
4. Connect your phone to your computer via USB cable and copy the backup file (usually located in the folder /Backup or /Samsung/Backup).
5. Use WiFiKeyView utility (Windows) or WiFi Password Viewer (Android) to extract passwords from a backup.

⚠️ Attention: The backup contains all saved Wi-Fi passwords, app data, and system settingsDo not share this file with third parties and delete it after extracting the required information.

Battery charge > 50%

Connecting to a stable Wi-Fi

Memory optimizers (e.g. Device Care) are disabled

Synchronization with Samsung Account is enabled-->

2. Viewing the password via ADB (for advanced users)

If you have experience with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), you can extract the Wi-Fi password directly from the system files. This method works on all Samsung phones With Android 8–14, but requires:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 🔌 Enabled USB debugging on the phone (Settings → About phone → Build number (press 7 times) → Developer options → USB debugging).
• 📶 Connect to the target Wi-Fi network (or the phone must have connected to it previously).

Step-by-step instructions:

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

   adb devices

   Make sure the device is detected (its serial number should appear).

2. Enter the command to get a list of saved networks:

   adb shell su -c "cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml"

   If an error occurs Permission denied, use the alternative path:

   adb shell su -c "ls /data/misc/wifi/"

   and find the file with the extension .conf or .xml.

3. Copy the file to your PC:

   adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml C:\wifi_passwords\

4. Open the downloaded file in any text editor and find the line:

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

⚠️ Attention: On Android 12+ The path to the Wi-Fi files may differ (for example, /data/vendor/wifi/...). If the command didn't work, check the current paths through adb shell ls /data/.

3. Using a file manager with root access

If your Samsung Galaxy has root rights, the process is simplified to just a few clicks. You'll need any file manager that supports root (For example, Root Explorer or Root Browser).

Instructions:

1. Open the file manager and go to the path:

   /data/misc/wifi/

   or (for newer versions of Android):

   /data/vendor/wifi/

2. Find the file WifiConfigStore.xml or wpa_supplicant.conf.
3. Open the file in a text editor and find the block with the name of your network (SSID). The password will be specified in the line psk="your_password".

🔍 Note: On some firmware versions Samsung passwords are encrypted. In this case, use the utility Wifi Password Decryptor (requires Python).

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

Some Samsung firmware stores Wi-Fi data in binary format. Try these alternatives:

/data/misc/apexdata/com.android.wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml

or use the ADB command:

adb shell dumpsys wifi — there will be a section in the output NetworkList with passwords.

4. Apps to view Wi-Fi passwords (without root)

IN Google Play There are apps that promise to show Wi-Fi passwords without rootMost of them either don't work or require payment. We tested them. 3 utilities, which actually extract passwords on Samsung:

⚠️ Attention: Applications without root often used vulnerabilities in Samsung firmware, which may be fixed in new updates. If after installation the utility asks to "check the connection" or "update the database," it most likely won't work.

Via backup

Using ADB

Application without root

File manager with root

Another option-->

5. Alternative methods (if nothing helps)

If none of the above methods worked, try the following workarounds:

• 📡 Resetting the router: Click the button Reset on the back of the router (hold for 10-15 seconds). The password will be reset to the factory default (indicated on the sticker).
• 🔧 Router web interface: Connect to the router via cable, enter in the browser 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1>, log in (default logins/passwords: admin/admin, admin/1234) and find the section Wireless → Security.
• 📱 Other device: Check the password on another phone/laptop that is connected to this network. iPhone The password can be found out through Settings → Wi-Fi → ⓘ → Password (Face ID required).

💡 Advice: If you often forget your passwords, create one Google Keep or Samsung Notes An entry with the network name and password, protected by a PIN code. This way, the data will always be at hand, but inaccessible to unauthorized persons.

6. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

When trying to extract a Wi-Fi password, users often encounter common problems. Here are the most common ones and their solutions:

• 🚫 "WifiConfigStore.xml file not found"):
  On Android 12+ The path has changed. Try:

  /data/misc/apexdata/com.android.wifi/

  or use the command:

  adb shell find /data -name "wifi"

• 🔒 "Root access required" in the app:
  If you are not ready to receive root, try the method with backup copy or connect to the router via cable.
• ⚠️ "ADB doesn't see the device":
  Make sure that:
  • Included USB debugging.
  • Installed Samsung drivers.
  • The original cable is used (cheap cables often do not support data transfer).

📌 Useful life hack: If you frequently reinstall firmware or reset your phone, save your Wi-Fi passwords in Google AccountTo do this, turn on Settings → Google → Backup → Back up my dataAfter reset, passwords will be restored automatically.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

❓ Is it possible to find out the password for a Wi-Fi network my phone connected to a long time ago but is currently not connected to?

Yes, but only if the network is saved in the phone's memory. Use the method with backup copy or ADBIf the network was deleted from the saved ones, it will not be possible to recover the password.

❓ Will these methods work on Samsung tablets (for example, Galaxy Tab S8)?

Yes, all methods are also relevant for tablets. Samsung on One UI. Exception: some applications from Google Play may not support tablets.

❓ Why did password viewer apps stop working after updating to Android 14?

Samsung tightened security policies in One UI 6.0Now applications without root can't read Wi-Fi system files. Use ADB or reset the router.

❓ Is it possible to extract the Wi-Fi password from a phone if it is locked (the pattern is forgotten)?

No. You won't be able to turn it on without unlocking the screen. USB debugging or create a backup. In this case, the only options are to reset the router or connect another device to the network.

❓ Is it legal to use these methods?

Yes, if you extract the password from his own Wi-Fi networks. If you attempt to access someone else's network without permission, it's illegal (Article 272 of the Russian Criminal Code, "Unauthorized access to computer information").

If your Samsung Galaxy works on Android 14 or newer, the chances of extracting the password without root are minimal. In this case, it's easier to connect to the router via cable and look up the password in its settings. For owners of older models (before Galaxy S10) Any of the described methods will work - test and choose the most convenient one!