It's common to need to connect a new device to the network but forget the password. Fortunately, modern smartphones based on Android Store data about previously used networks in secure memory. If you're already connected to Wi-Fi or have done so before, you can restore access using standard operating system tools.
Previously, such manipulations required superuser rights, which was risky for the average user. Today, thanks to the introduction of the function Wi-Fi Sharing With the help of QR codes, the process has become safe and accessible to every smartphone owner. You don't need to install dubious apps or hack the system.
In this article, we'll explore current methods for obtaining an access key on different OS versions. We'll cover standard methods, Google cloud sync, and specific settings for various manufacturer-specific operating systems. This will help you quickly solve the problem of a forgotten password.
Using the QR code feature on Android 10 and later
Starting with the tenth version of the operating system, Google engineers implemented a native QR code generation function for quickly connecting guests. This same mechanism allows the device owner to view the saved password in plain text. This method is the simplest and does not require third-party software.
First, you need to go to the settings menu. Find the section Connections or Network and InternetThe name may differ depending on your model. Samsung, Xiaomi or PixelSelect Wi-Fi to see a list of available networks.
Click the gear or information icon next to the name of the network you're currently connected to. In the window that opens, look for the button Share or a QR code icon. The system will ask you to confirm your identity using a fingerprint, PIN, or pattern.
After successful authentication, a QR code will appear on the screen. Below it, a text string containing the password will usually be displayed. If the text is hidden by asterisks, take a screenshot and open it in Google Lens or Gallery with OCR.
- 📱 Open Wi-Fi settings on your smartphone.
- 🔗 Click on the active network to enter properties.
- 📸 Select the "Share" option or the QR icon.
- 👁️ Look at the password below the code or scan the screen with another phone.
⚠️ Attention: The option to display the password as text under the QR code is not available on all operating systems. On stock Android, the password may be hidden, requiring a second phone to scan it.
This method works reliably on most modern devices. If you're having trouble finding the button, check if the menu is hidden in an additional drop-down list. Manufacturers' interfaces often hide useful functions behind icons with three dots.
View passwords through your Google Account
Google has implemented a convenient password syncing system that works similarly to the Chrome browser, but across the entire operating system. If syncing is enabled on your device, all saved Wi-Fi keys are automatically uploaded to your account.
To use this method, open your phone's settings and find the section GoogleGo to account management and select the tab Security. Here you are interested in the point Password manager or Passwords.
Find the desired wireless network in the list of saved data. Its name usually matches the router's SSID. Click it, and the system will again prompt you for biometric verification or a PIN to unlock the screen.
After entering the account details, you'll see a password field. If the characters are hidden, click the eye icon. This will copy the password to the clipboard or display it in clear text. You can immediately use it to connect another device.
The advantage of this method is its cross-platform compatibility. You can access your password not only on your phone, but also through your computer's browser by visiting passwords.google.com. This is especially convenient if your smartphone's screen is too small or damaged.
Methods for Xiaomi and MIUI smartphone owners
shell MIUI and her successor HyperOS from the company Xiaomi have their own unique network connection features. Here, the process of obtaining network data is implemented as conveniently as possible for the user, often without even having to scan codes.
Go to Wi-Fi settings and tap the arrow to the right of the active network name. A QR code will appear in the properties menu that opens. Unlike stock Android, this code often has a text password written directly underneath it.
If the text isn't visible, simply take a screenshot. MIUI's built-in "Scanner" or "Google Lens" feature lets you select text directly from an image. Tap the screenshot in your gallery, select "More," and then "Recognize Text."
For older firmware versions where this functionality isn't explicitly built-in, you can try using the standard "Scanner" app, which comes preinstalled on all Xiaomi devices. It can scan QR codes from another device's screen.
| Model / Brand | Button location | Do you need a scanner? | Peculiarities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi / Redmi | In the network properties (arrow) | No (text under the code) | The password is visible immediately |
| Samsung | Share button | Yes (for text) | Need a second phone |
| Pixel / Motorola | Gear → Share | Depends on the version | Clean Android interface |
| Huawei / Honor | Clicking on the QR code | No | Shows after scanning |
For device owners Xiaomi You're luckier than others, as the MIUI interface is designed from the ground up for maximum informational clarity. You don't need any additional apps from the Play Market; everything works out of the box.
Using ADB Commands for Advanced Users
For those who are not afraid of the command line, there is a method using the debug bridge ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method allows you to extract saved network configurations directly from system files, but requires enabling USB debugging mode.
First, enable developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About phone and quickly tap the build number seven times. In the developer menu, enable USB debugging.
Connect your phone to your computer via a cable. The PC must have the ADB platform installed. Open a terminal or command prompt and enter the following command to list saved networks:
adb shell dumpsys wifi | grep"mConfiguredNetworks"However, on modern versions of Android (starting with 10), access to the full password via ADB without root access is limited by security policies. You can see the network SSID, but the passkey itself may be hidden or hashed.
⚠️ Attention: On Android 12, 13, and 14, access to Wi-Fi configuration files via ADB without root access is almost completely blocked by the SELinux security system. This method may not reveal the password in cleartext.
If the standard output doesn't contain a password, use the command to export the configuration, but on newer operating systems, it's low. This method is more suitable for older devices or for checking if the network is stored in memory.
Alternative ADB command
Try the command `adb shell cmd wifi list-networks`, but keep in mind that this will only show network IDs, not passwords, on most modern firmware.
Specifics of working on Samsung and One UI
Devices from the South Korean giant Samsung work on the shell One UI, which has its own nuances. Here, the password sharing process is implemented through the generation of a QR code, which by default does not display the key text string.
To view the password, you will need a second smartphone or tablet with a camera and a QR code scanning app installed (or a built-in scanner in the camera). On the main phone, go to Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi.
Click the gear icon next to your active network. A button will appear at the bottom of the screen. Share (QR code icon). After entering the unlock PIN, a code will appear. Point the second device's camera at the first device's screen.
After scanning, a connection notification will appear on the second device, and on some scanners, a text string containing the password will also appear. If the scanner doesn't display the text, simply connect the second phone and then repeat the process on it to see the password below the code.
- 🔒 Biometric or PIN verification required.
- 📲 A second gadget for scanning is required.
- 👁️ The password is often hidden by asterisks on the generation screen.
- 🔄 You can transfer the network to another Samsung phone using Nearby Share.
To the owners Samsung It is worth remembering about the function Nearby ShareIf you have another Samsung or Android phone nearby, you can transfer network settings directly, even without knowing the password. The receiving device will connect automatically.
What to do if standard methods don't work
Sometimes the "Share" button is missing, your Google Account password hasn't synced, and ADB isn't working. This could be due to limitations of your specific router model or corporate security policies (MDM) installed on your phone.
In this case, the only thing left to do is check the sticker on the router itself. Factory passwords are often the same as the default ones, unless you've changed them. You can also try logging into the router's web interface (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) from your phone if you're already connected to the network.
In the web interface, find the section Wireless or Wi-Fi SettingsThe password is displayed there in plain text, or an input field allows you to change it. To log in to the router, you may need the administrator login and password (often admin/admin).
☑️ Checking access to the router
If you changed the router administrator password and forgot it, the only option is to reset the router to factory settings using the button ResetAfter this, you'll have to set up your internet again, but Wi-Fi access will be restored using the information on the sticker.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to find out the Wi-Fi password if I'm not connected to it right now?
Yes, as long as you've connected to this network before and haven't deleted it from your saved network list. On Android 10+, passwords are stored internally. You can find the network in the list of known networks, tap it (sometimes you need to be within range), and generate a QR code, even if the connection is not currently active.
Is it safe to use apps from the Play Market to view passwords?
Most of these applications require root access because without it they cannot access the system file. wpa_supplicant.confApps that promise to reveal passwords without rooting often simply display a QR code (as a system feature) or are simply advertising bloatware. It's better to use Android's built-in tools.
Why is there no share button on my Android 11?
The interface may vary. Try clicking the gear icon next to the network, not the network itself. If the button still isn't there, the manufacturer of your model (for example, some budget Chinese brands) may have removed this feature or it's hidden in the "More" menu.
Is it possible to view the password for a guest Wi-Fi network?
Guest networks are often created with client isolation and may not store the password in the user's primary profile like the primary network. However, if the phone successfully connects and saves the profile, the QR code method should also work for the guest SSID.