How to view your Wi-Fi router's code on your phone: instructions for Android and iOS

Forgot your home Wi-Fi password, or is the sticker on your router worn off or missing? This situation is familiar to many, especially when guests need to connect to the network and you can't remember the 8+ character combination. Luckily, You can find out your Wi-Fi router's code directly from your phone., without connecting a computer or resetting the router. In this article, we'll look at all the working methods for Android And iPhone, including hidden features and workarounds for older models.

It is important to understand: the phone must be already connected to this Wi-Fi network (at least once). If the device has never connected to the router, you'll have to use alternative methods—for example, logging into the admin panel through a browser or resetting the settings. We'll also explain How to extract a password from an iCloud or Google account backup, if standard methods did not work.

The instructions in this article are relevant for most modern smartphones (2020–2026) and routers from popular brands: TP-Link, ASUS, Xiaomi, Keenetic, Zyxel, MikroTikOlder models (manufactured before 2018) may require additional steps—we'll highlight those separately.

1. How to find your Wi-Fi password on Android via network settings

The easiest way is to view the saved password in the connections menu. On most smartphones with Android 10 and newer this function is available by default, but the path to it may differ depending on the shell (MIUI, One UI, ColorOS and others).

Instructions for clean Android (For example, Google Pixel, Nokia, Motorola):

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi.
2. Find your network in the list and tap on its name (SSID).
3. Click the button Share (or Share (on English firmware).
4. Confirm unlocking with PIN code, fingerprint or pattern key.
5. The password will be displayed below QR code in the field Password.

On smartphones Samsung (shell One UI) another way:

• 📱 Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi
• 🔍 Tap on the name of your network (for example, TP-Link_1234)
• 🔑 Choose Network management → Show password
• 🔒 Confirm access with your fingerprint or PIN code

If the point Share no, then:

• 📵 If you have an older version of Android (below 10) - go to method for legacy devices.
• 🔐 The manufacturer has disabled the function (for example, on some models Huawei or Meizu).
• 📡 The phone is not connected to this network (even if it was connected before, the data may have been erased after the reset).

2. Alternative Method for Android: Wi-Fi Configuration Files

If the standard method doesn't work, the password can be extracted from system files. This method requires root rights or access to ADB (USB debugging). Without them, you won't be able to see the password—but this method works even on very old versions of Android.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Install on your phone file manager with root access (For example, Root Browser or FX File Explorer).
2. Follow the path:

   /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml

   Or (for Android 9 and later):

   /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStoreSoftAp.xml

3. Find the block with the name of your network (SSID) - there will be a line next to it <PreSharedKey>your_password</PreSharedKey>.

For non-root users:

• 🖥️ Connect your phone to your PC and use ADB (instructions below).
• 📱 Install the application WiFi Password Viewer (does not work on all devices).

Install ADB drivers on your PC | Enable USB debugging in your phone's settings | Connect your phone to your PC via cable | Run Command Prompt as administrator -->

Command to extract password via ADB:

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

Once completed, open the file wifi_password.txt on your computer and find the line with PreSharedKey.

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

On some firmware (for example, ColorOS or EMUI) passwords are stored in a binary file /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfig.arpaTo read it you will need special utilities like WiFi Key Recovery (available on 4PDA forums).

3. How to view the Wi-Fi code on iPhone (iOS)

On iPhone And iPad Apple doesn't provide direct access to saved Wi-Fi passwords through Settings, but there are workarounds. The first method requires Mac or computer with iTunes, the second one works through iCloud backup.

Method 1: Via Keychain Access on Mac

1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac via cable and open the app. Keychain Access (can be found via Spotlight by combination Cmd + Space).
2. In the search bar, enter the name of your Wi-Fi network (SSID).
3. Double-click on the found entry and check the box Show password.
4. Enter your Mac account password, and your Wi-Fi password will be displayed.

Method 2: Via iCloud Backup (without a Mac)

• 📱 Back up your iPhone to iCloud: Settings → [Your name] → iCloud → Backup → Back up now.
• 🖥️ Download the utility on your computer (Windows/Linux/Mac) iCloud for Windows or iMazing.
• 🔍 In the utility settings, select the section Managing backups and find the file with Wi-Fi passwords (usually it is Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.wifi.known-networks.plist).
• 🔑 Open the file in a text editor and find the line password.

4. How to find the Wi-Fi password on older Android devices (versions below 10)

On devices with Android 9 Pie, 8 Oreo For older versions, the standard method of viewing the password through settings is unavailable. However, there are several alternatives:

Method 1: Password Viewer Apps

• 📱 Install one of the applications:
  • WiFi Password Viewer (requires root)
  • WiFi Key Recovery (works on some firmwares without root)
  • ES File Explorer (old version with access to system files)
• 🔍 Launch the app and grant root access (if required).
• 📋 Find your network in the list - the password will be displayed in the column Password or Key.

Method 2: Through the engineering menu (for some models)

On phones Xiaomi, Huawei And Samsung You can try to call the hidden menu:

1. Open the app Telephone and enter the code:

   ##4636##

2. Go to the section Wi-Fi information or Wi-Fi stats.
3. Find your network - sometimes the password is displayed in the field Password.

5. Universal method: log in to the router's admin panel

If none of the previous methods worked, The password can be found through the router's web interfaceThis method works on any device (phone, tablet, PC) and does not require root rights or additional programs.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to the router's Wi-Fi network (even if you forgot the password, but the phone is currently connected).
2. Open your browser and enter your router's IP address in the address bar. This is usually:
   • 192.168.0.1 (For TP-Link, ASUS)
   • 192.168.1.1 (For D-Link, Zyxel)
   • 192.168.8.1 (For Xiaomi, Redmi)
   • 192.168.31.1 (for some models Huawei)

Enter your username and password to log in. The default is:

Router brand	Login	Password
TP-Link	admin	admin
ASUS	admin	admin
Xiaomi/Redmi	admin	Password from the sticker
Keenetic	admin	Empty or with sticker
Zyxel	admin	1234

Go to the section Wireless (or Wi-Fi, Wireless network).

Find the field Password, Key or PSK password — the current code will be displayed here.

What should I do if I can't access my router's control panel?

If the default login/password doesn't work, it means they've been changed. In this case:

1. Look at the information on the router sticker (sometimes a unique password is indicated there).

2. Try resetting the router to factory settings (button Reset on the back panel, hold for 10 seconds).

3. If the router is rented from a provider (for example, Rostelecom or Beeline), the password may be linked to your personal account - check it on the operator's website.

6. Additional methods: if nothing helps

If all the above methods don’t work, there are radical solutions left:

Method 1: Reset the router to factory settings

• 🔄 Press and hold the button Reset on the back panel of the router (10–15 seconds).
• 📡 After reboot, the network will be named by default (for example, TP-Link_1234), and the password is indicated on the sticker.
• ⚠️ Attention: All router settings will be reset, including the connection to the provider (you may need to reconfigure PPPoE or other settings).

Method 2: Call your provider

If the router is provided by the Internet service provider (for example, MTS, Beeline, Rostelecom), call support and ask:

• 📞 Provide your Wi-Fi password (sometimes you can find it using your contract number).
• 🔧 Reset your router remotely (not all providers offer this service).

Method 3: Use another connected device

If you have a laptop, tablet, or second phone connected to the network, try:

• 💻 On Windows: open Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center → Change adapter settingsRight-click on your network → Wireless network properties → Security → check the box Show entered characters.
• 🍎 On Mac: open Utilities → Keychain (as in the iPhone method).

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Wi-Fi Passwords

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

On Android - Yes, if the password is saved in system files (see method with root or ADB). On iPhone - only via iCloud or Mac backup.

If your phone hasn't been connected to the network for a long time, the data may have been erased (especially after a factory reset or firmware update).

Why isn't there a "Share" option for my network in Android settings?

This could mean:

• You have an old version of Android (below 10).
• The manufacturer has disabled the function (for example, on some phones Huawei or Meizu).
• The phone is connected to the network via WPS or QSS, and not by password.
• The network is configured as "hidden" (with broadcasting disabled) SSID).

Try the alternative methods in this article.

How can I find out the Wi-Fi password in a public place (cafe, hotel)?

Passwords for public networks are usually are not saved on the device - they are issued for a limited time (for example, via SMS or a receipt).

If you have connected to such a network before, try:

• Ask the establishment administrator for the password.
• View the receipt or SMS with the access code (sometimes they are valid for several days).
• Use apps like WiFi Map, where users share passwords for open networks.

⚠️ Attention: Connecting to other people's networks without permission may violate the law (Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation - "Unauthorized access to computer information").

Is it possible to hack someone else's Wi-Fi from their phone?

No, modern encryption standards (WPA3, WPA2) are reliably protected from hacking from a phone. Password brute-force attempts:

• They take weeks or months (even on a powerful PC).
• They are breaking the law (in Russia this is classified as unauthorized access).
• May result in your device being blocked from the network.

If you urgently need internet, it's better to use a mobile network or ask the router owner for the password.

Why doesn't the password on the sticker work after resetting the router?

Possible reasons:

• A sticker from another router (for example, if the device was replaced under warranty).
• The password has been changed by the provider (on rented routers).
• The router supports WPS, and the connection occurs without entering a password (click the button WPS on the router).
• The network is operating in the mode Guest access with a separate password.

Try:

• Connect via cable and log into the admin panel.
• Call your provider's support team.
• View your password in your personal account on the operator's website.