How to View Wi-Fi Password on an Android Phone: A Complete Guide

Have you forgotten your home Wi-Fi password, and is it hidden under a sticker on your router that's long since worn off? Or do you need to connect a new device but can't remember the password? Android devices There are several ways to extract a saved network password—both using standard tools and additional utilities. It's important to understand that not all methods work the same across all versions. OEM firmware (for example, on Samsung One UI, Xiaomi MIUI or "clean" Android).

In this article we will look at 5 working methods, including access through root rights, usage ADB, viewing configuration files, and even workarounds for devices without root access. Important: Some methods require technical skills, and incorrect actions can lead to network failures. If you're unsure, it's best to use alternatives (for example, resetting the router password).

1. Standard method: view password in Android settings (without root)

Starting from Android 10, Google has added the ability to view passwords for saved Wi-Fi networks directly in the settings - but only if the device not encrypted (no pattern, PIN, or password on the lock screen). This method works on most smartphones with "pure" Android (Pixel, Nokia, Motorola), but may be absent on customized firmware (Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi).

To find out the password:

• 📱 Open Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi.
• 🔍 Find the desired network in the list and tap on its name.
• 🔑 Select an item Share (or Share (on English firmware).
• 🔐 The system will ask you to confirm your identity - use PIN code, graphic key or fingerprint.
• 📋 A line will appear under the network name Password with the required combination.

If the point Share If not, the manufacturer has removed this feature from the firmware. In this case, proceed to the next methods.

2. Viewing the password via a file wpa_supplicant.conf (root required)

On Android, all saved Wi-Fi networks are stored in a configuration file. wpa_supplicant.confTo read it, you need root access (superuser rights). If your device is not rooted, skip this section and proceed to the method with ADB.

Instructions:

1. Install any file manager with root support (For example, Root Explorer, Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
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="network_password"
   key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
   }

   Where psk - this is the password.

Make sure your device is rooted|

Download a file manager with root support|

Make a backup copy of the file before editing|

Check only known networks (someone else's password may be encrypted)-->

Attention! Do not edit this file manually - syntax errors may result in the loss of all saved networks. If the password is displayed in encrypted form (for example, psk=123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef), this means that the network uses enterprise authentication (WPA-Enterprise), and the password cannot be extracted so easily.

3. Using ADB (without root, but with USB debugging)

If no root rights, but included USB debugging, you can try to extract the password through Android Debug Bridge (ADB)This method works on most devices up to Android 12, but may be blocked by the manufacturer (for example, on Xiaomi or Huawei).

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
2. Turn on your phone:
   • 🔧 Settings → About phone → Build number (tap 7 times to activate developer mode).
   • 🔌 Settings → System → Developer options → USB debugging.

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

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

adb shell
su
cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore/wpa_supplicant.conf

⚠️ Attention: Starting from Android 11Google has tightened its security policy, and this method may not work. If the command returns an error No such file or directory, then the path to the file has changed - try searching for it through adb shell find /data -name wpa_supplicant.conf.

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

If the previous methods don't work, you can use third-party apps. They fall into two categories:

• 🔓 For rooted devices: WiFi Password Viewer, WiFi Key Recovery - they directly read data from system files.
• 📱 For devices without root: WiFi Password Show, WiFi Password — try to extract passwords through backdoors (for example, if they were previously copied to the clipboard).

Examples of popular utilities:

⚠️ Attention: Many non-rooted apps are fraudulent software, which displays ads or collects data instead of passwords. Before installing, check reviews and ratings in Google PlayIt is better to give preference to open source programs (for example, WiFi Password Viewer on GitHub).

5. Alternative methods: if nothing helps

If none of the methods worked, there are workarounds left:

• 🔄 Reset the password on the router: Click the button Reset on the back of the router (hold for 10-15 seconds). After the reset, the network name and password will return to the factory defaults (indicated on the sticker).
• 📡 Connect to the router via cable: If you have access to router web interface (usually at the address 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1), you can view or change your password in the section Wireless → Security.
• 📱 Use another device: If the password is saved on the laptop with Windows or macOS, it can be extracted through the system settings (for example, in Windows — Control Panel → Network Connections → Wireless Network → Properties → Security).

On some routers (for example, TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic) The password can be viewed in the manufacturer's mobile app - even without access to the web interface. Install the official app (eg. Tether For TP-Link or ASUS Router) and log in using the account linked to the router.

Security: What Not to Do When Retrieving a Password

Attempts to hack someone else's Wi-Fi or exploit system file vulnerabilities can lead to serious consequences:

• 🚫 Do not use brute force programs (For example, Aircrack-ng or Wifi WPS WPA Tester). This is illegal and may block your MAC address on the network.
• 🔒 Don't share passwords in public chats - This violates privacy and can lead to DDoS attacks on your router.
• 📵 Do not modify system files without a backup. Error in wpa_supplicant.conf may remove all your saved networks.

⚠️ Attention: In some countries (for example, in Russia, the USA, EU countries) unauthorized access to other people's Wi-Fi networks is classified as violation of the law (Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation "Unauthorized access to computer information"). Extract passwords only from their own networks!

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