Needing to know the password for a wireless network to which your TV is already successfully connected is a common occurrence. This typically happens when you buy a new gadget, tablet, or laptop, or when you need to extend the home network's coverage area, but the router itself is in a hard-to-reach place or its password has long been forgotten. Fortunately, modern Smart TVs store connection data internally, and there are several ways to retrieve it without resorting to complex hacking techniques.
However, it is worth noting right away that the standard interface of most TVs, whether Samsung Tizen, LG WebOS or Android TV, does not provide a simple way to display the security key in plain text. Manufacturers deliberately hide this information for user security, preventing someone with the remote control from gaining access to the network. However, there are workarounds, such as using system logs or accessing the router's administrative panel, that can solve this problem.
In this article, we'll cover all possible methods: from simple router settings to using hidden engineering menus and third-party apps. We'll cover the nuances for different operating systems and provide advice on what to do if standard methods don't work. It's important to understand that some methods may require physical access to the router or a USB keyboard.
Using the router's admin panel to view the key
The most reliable and universal way to find the password is not to look for it on the TV, but to look at the source of the connection—the router itself. Since the TV is already connected to the network, the correct password has already been entered into the router settings. You'll need another device with a browser (smartphone or laptop) that's also connected to the same Wi-Fi network or connected to the router via cable.
First, you need to find out the gateway IP address. On TVs with Android TV This can be done by going to Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Current Network. The connection properties will indicate the gateway, usually it is 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1Enter this address into the address bar of a browser on any device. The router's authorization page will open.
Here you will need the administrator login and password. If you haven't changed them, they are often listed on a sticker on the bottom of the router (standard admin/admin). After logging in, the interface may differ depending on the brand (TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic, D-Link), but the logic is the same. Look for the section related to wireless mode.
- 📡 Find the tab Wireless or Wi-Fi in the settings menu.
- 🔐 Go to the subsection Wireless Security or Wireless network security.
- 👁️ Find the field PSK Password or Wireless network key and click "Show" (eye).
⚠️ Attention: If you decide to change the password directly in the router control panel, all previously connected devices, including your TV, will immediately lose connection. You'll have to re-enter the new key on each device.
Router interfaces are constantly updated, and the layout of menu items may change. If you can't find the section you need, check the official documentation for your router model, as the structure of security settings may differ in new firmware versions.
Methods for Android TV and Google TV
operating system Android, installed on TVs Sony, Philips, Xiaomi, TCL and other brands, offers the most comprehensive features for advanced users. Unlike closed systems, you can attempt to access the system files where Wi-Fi configurations are stored. However, the password is hidden behind asterisks using the standard "Settings" menu.
The first option is to use a QR code. Some versions of Android TV (especially new Google TV updates) now have a quick connection feature via QR code. Go to Settings → Network & Internet, select your network. If there's a "Share" option or a QR code icon, scan it with your smartphone's camera. The scan line often displays the full configuration text, including the password in its clear form after the prefix. P:.
If there is no standard function, you can try installing third-party applications from the store Google Play on the TV. There are utilities like "Wi-Fi Password Viewer", but they usually require Root rights (superuser rights). Rooting a TV is a risky procedure that can void the warranty and brick the device if you make a mistake.
Risks of Rooting TV
Obtaining superuser rights grants full access to the system, but makes the device vulnerable to viruses. Incorrectly editing system files can lead to a bootloop or complete inoperability of the Smart TV. Recovery is often only possible through reflashing the firmware with a programmer.
For users with access to ADB (Android Debug Bridge), there is a technical solution. By connecting to the TV from a computer over the network, you can try to read the file wpa_supplicant.conf, where the keys are stored. The command looks something like this:
adb shell cat /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.confHowever, on modern TVs, access to this directory is closed by default even for debugging, so this method does not work on all models without prior modification of the system.
Features of Tizen (Samsung) and WebOS (LG) operating systems
TV owners Samsung And LG face the greatest challenges. Operating systems Tizen And WebOS are closed, proprietary platforms. They completely lack the ability to install file managers with access to system folders or utilities for viewing saved passwords, as is possible on Android.
In the interface Settings → General → Network (for Samsung) or Settings → Network → Wi-Fi (for LG) You'll see a list of known networks. When attempting to change network settings or view details, the system will prompt you to enter a password for confirmation but won't display the current one. This is designed to maximize ecosystem security.
The only software solution for these brands is, again, accessing the router (see the first section). A hardware solution, sometimes suggested by "experts" on forums, is resetting the TV to factory settings. During initial setup, some models prompt you to show a QR code to connect to the mobile app, but the actual password won't appear in the text, only an encrypted link.
| Brand TV | OS | Ability to view password in menu | Alternative method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung | Tizen | No | Router panel |
| LG | WebOS | No | Router panel |
| Sony | Android TV | Via QR code (rare) | ADB / Applications |
| Xiaomi | Android TV | Via QR code | File managers |
⚠️ Attention: Don't attempt to enter commands into the Samsung engineering menu (remote control button combinations) unless you have the exact instructions for your specific model. Resetting the Secret Menu may block the Smart Hub or change the device's region.
Using smartphones to "decrypt" connections
If you have a smartphone based on Android (version 10 and above) that was previously connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the TV, you can use it as a tool to view the password. Modern versions of Android allow you to share network access via a QR code, which contains the password encrypted in text.
Go to your phone's Wi-Fi settings, tap the gear icon next to your active network, or select "Share." A QR code will appear on the screen. Take a screenshot of this code or simply point the camera at it with another phone. But how do you see the text?
- 📸 Take a screenshot of the QR code on a phone with access.
- 🔍 Open the Google Lens app or any QR scanner with image analysis functionality.
- 📝 Select a screenshot from the gallery – the system will recognize the code and display a string like this:
WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:MyPassword123;;.
In this line the characters after P: and before ;; — this is your password. This method works reliably and doesn't require any technical knowledge or access to your TV settings. The situation is similar for iPhone owners: when trying to share a password with another Apple device, the password isn't displayed on the screen. However, if you have a Mac with the same iCloud account, the password can be found in Keychain.
☑️ Smartphone Action Algorithm
Physical access and network reset
If software methods are unavailable and the router is located in an inaccessible location (for example, on the ceiling or in a cabinet behind furniture), physical access remains an option. Often, the Wi-Fi password is the same as the router's administrator password or is printed on a sticker on the device.
If the sticker has worn off, you can try resetting the TV itself. This is a last resort. A factory reset (Factory Reset) All Wi-Fi network data is deleted. When you reconfigure the TV, it will prompt you to select a network. If you remember or find the password, you can enter it again. This method doesn't help you "find" the password, but it does help restart the connection process if, for example, you bought a new router with an old network name and the TV is trying to connect with the old key.
It's also worth checking other devices. The password may be written down in a notepad, sent via messenger to a friend who helped set up the network, or saved in a Windows profile on a laptop. In Windows 10/11, you can view the saved password: Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Manage wireless networks (or properties of the current network) → Security → checkbox "Show entered characters".
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to find out the password using the remote control of a Samsung or LG TV?
No, it's impossible to view the password in plain text using the built-in remote control or settings menu of Samsung (Tizen) and LG (WebOS) TVs. The security systems of these operating systems don't provide this feature for the average user.
Will connecting a keyboard to the TV's USB port help?
Connecting a keyboard will make navigation easier, but it won't reveal hidden system files. However, if the menu has a password entry field with masking (asterisks), sometimes (rarely) changing the input type via special characters or key combinations can temporarily reveal the characters, but on modern firmware, this almost never works.
What should I do if I forgot my router password to access the settings?
If the default admin/admin passwords don't work and there's no password on the sticker, you'll need to reset the router using the button on the case. This will reset it to factory defaults, and you'll be able to log in using the password on the sticker, but you'll have to reconfigure your internet settings.
Is there a universal app for Android TV that shows passwords?
Apps like "Wi-Fi Password Viewer" exist, but on unrooted TVs, they will only display an access error message. They require extensive system modifications to function, which is not recommended for regular users.