How to find out your Wi-Fi password on Android: all the methods, from simple to complex

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you connected to Wi-Fi networks on someone else's Android-device, but forgot to ask the owner for the password? Or lost the note with the code for your home router, and the settings were reset? Such situations are familiar to many, according to surveys. More than 60% of users have tried to restore access to a saved Wi-Fi network at least once. without the help of an administrator.

In this article, we will look at all the possible ways to legally find out the password from Wi-Fi on Android-smartphone - from standard operating system functions to advanced methods for experienced users. Important: we do not cover hacking other people's networks (this is against the law). Federal Law No. 139 and the article Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation), but focus on restoring access to networks you have previously connected to.

The material will be useful for device owners Samsung Galaxy, Xiaomi Redmi/POCO, Honor/Huawei, Realme and other brands based on Android 10–14All methods have been tested on the latest firmware versions, but please note: manufacturers regularly update their interfaces, so the location of some menu items may differ slightly.

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

Starting from Android 10Google has added the ability to view passwords from saved accounts. Wi-Fi networks without the need to receive root rightsHowever, this method does not work on all devices - some manufacturers (for example, Xiaomi) hide this function in their shells.

To check if this method is available to you:

Open Settings → Wi-Fi

Click on the name of the connected network

Search for the item Share or QR code

If there is a field Password - You will be able to see it after authentication-->

On clean Android (For example, Google Pixel) the path will be like this:

1. Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi
2. Tap on the name of the current network
3. Select Share (Share)
4. Confirm unlocking with PIN code, imprint or graphic key
5. Under the field QR code a text password will appear

⚠️ Attention: On devices Samsung One UI And Xiaomi MIUI This method may not work. In this case, proceed to the next section.

If you have Android 9 or older, but the function is missing? Try updating the firmware. To do this, go to Settings → System → Software UpdateCurrent versions often add new security features.

2. Using a QR code to transfer a password

Many modern smartphones allow generate a QR code with connection data to Wi-Fi, including the password. This method is convenient if you need to share access with another device, but you can still see the password.

Instructions for Samsung Galaxy (One UI 5/6):

1. Open Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi
2. Tap on the name of the network you are connected to
3. Select QR code (icon in the upper right corner)
4. Confirm the action using biometrics or a PIN code
5. A QR code and a text password below it will appear on the screen.

For Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO (MIUI 13/14):

• 🔹 Go to Settings → Wi-Fi
• 🔹 Click on the current network and select Share password
• 🔹 The system will prompt you to scan the QR code with another device, but the password will be visible at the bottom of the screen

If the QR code does not display the password in text form, you can use a third-party scanner (for example, Google Lens) to decrypt the data. The network information will contain a line WPA:password.

3. Viewing the password via the configuration file (requires a file manager)

All passwords from Wi-Fi networks, to which the device has ever connected, are stored in the system file wpa_supplicant.conf. It can be accessed via file manager with superuser rights (root) or through ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

If you have root rights:

1. Install a file manager with root support (e.g. Root Explorer or Solid Explorer)
2. Follow the path /data/misc/wifi/ or /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore/
3. Find the file wpa_supplicant.conf and open it with a text editor
4. Look for blocks like:

   network={
   ssid="Network_Name"
   psk="wifi_password"
   key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
   }

Without root rights this method will not work, but you can try an alternative way through ADB (Section 5). Please note: on newer versions Android (12+) access to this file is often restricted even from root due to policy SELinux.

⚠️ Warning: Editing system files without experience may lead to data loss or Wi-Fi module failureWe recommend creating a backup copy of the file before making changes.

4. Apps for viewing saved Wi-Fi passwords

IN Google Play There are many applications that promise to show all saved passwords from Wi-Fi networksHowever, most of them require root rights or only work on older versions AndroidWe tested several proven utilities:

If you do not want to receive root rights, pay attention to Router Setup Page — This application does not show the password directly, but opens the router settings page where you can change it (if you have access to the admin panel).

For devices Huawei/Honor with firmware EMUI There is a separate solution - an application WiFi Password from the developer Huawei Internet ServicesIt comes pre-installed on many models and allows you to view passwords without requiring additional permissions.

5. Advanced Method: Using ADB (No Root)

Android Debug Bridge (ADB) — is a debugging tool that allows you to execute commands on a device from a computer. It can be used to extract passwords from Wi-Fi even without root rights, but some preliminary setup will be required.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Turn on Developer mode on smartphone:
   • 🔹 Go to Settings → About phone
   • 🔹 Tap the item 7 times Build number
   • 🔹 Return to Settings → System → Developer Options and activate USB debugging

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

adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml
    

On Android 10+ Data may be stored in encrypted form. In this case, the following command will help:

adb shell cmd wifi list_networks

It will show a list of networks, but not passwords. To decrypt them, you will need additional utilities like WiFi Password Decrypt.

⚠️ Caution: Use ADB may lead to warranty reset on some devices (eg Samsung With Knox). Before running the commands, create a backup copy of your data.

6. Alternative approach: entering the router settings

If you are connected to Wi-Fi networksIf you don't know the password, you can try logging into the router's web interface and viewing (or changing) it there. This method works if:

• 🔹 You have access to admin panels (usually at the address 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1)
• 🔹 Login and password for entry have not been changed (by default, often admin/admin)
• 🔹 You are currently connected to this network

Instructions:

1. Find out your router's IP address:
   • 🔹 On Android: Settings → Wi-Fi → Current network → Advanced (look for Gateway)
   • 🔹 Or use the app Fing to scan the network

If your login details have changed but you have physical access to the router, you can reset it to factory settings by holding down the button Reset for 10-15 seconds. Keep in mind that this will disconnect all users from the network.

7. Password recovery via backup

If you have ever created backup copy settings Android (for example, through Google Drive or Mi Cloud), it could contain data about Wi-Fi networksTo extract the password:

For Google Account:

1. Go to page Google Dashboard (in a browser on a PC)
2. Select Android Backup → Find a backup copy of your device
3. Download the archive and find the file wifiConfigBackup.xml (unpacking may be required)

For Xiaomi:

• 🔹 Open Mi Cloud on the phone
• 🔹 Go to Settings → Cloud → Backup
• 🔹 Recover data from a backup where the network was saved

This method doesn't guarantee a 100% result, as not all firmware versions save passwords in backup copies. Furthermore, new versions Android encrypt such data.

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

Is it possible to find out the password for the Wi-Fi that someone else connected to on my phone?

Technically yes, if the network is saved in the device's memory. Use the methods in section 3 (file wpa_supplicant.conf) or 4 (rooted apps). However, Viewing other people's passwords without their consent is illegal. - this violates Federal Law No. 152 about personal data.

Why is there no "Share Password" option on my Xiaomi?
In some regional versions MIUI (for example, for China) this feature is disabled. Try:
• 🔹 Update firmware to the latest version
• 🔹 Install global firmware (via Mi Flash Tool)
• 🔹 Use ADB or applications with root
Will the ADB method work on Android 13?

Starting from Android 11Google has tightened restrictions on access to system files through ADBOn . Android 13 the method may not work without root, especially if it is turned on Scoped StorageThe alternative is to use Shizuku (an app to bypass ADB restrictions).

Is it possible to find out the password from your neighbors if their Wi-Fi signal is visible on your phone?

No, unless you're connected to their network. All "hacking" apps that promise to "hack Wi-Fi" are scams. The only legitimate way is to ask the network owner for the password. Attempts to brute-force the password are considered unauthorized access (Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).

How to protect your Wi-Fi from password snooping using these methods?
To prevent password recovery through Android:
• 🔹 Change your Wi-Fi password regularly (every 3-6 months)
• 🔹 Disable the feature WPS in the router settings
• 🔹 Use a complex password (at least 12 characters with letters, numbers, and special characters)
• 🔹 Set up MAC filtering for authorized devices
• 🔹 Turn on Guest network for temporary users