How to find your Wi-Fi password on a Samsung phone: 5 working methods

Forgot your home Wi-Fi password, and your router is in the attic or locked in a closet? From your phone Samsung Galaxy You can retrieve a saved network security key without connecting to a computer or resetting the router. This article covers current methods for modern versions. Android 10–14 (including One UI 5/6), which work on most models: from Galaxy S21 to Galaxy A14.

Important: Not all methods are universal. For example, on phones with Android 9 and below The password could be viewed directly in the network settings, but Google removed this feature out of the box in new OS versions. However, workarounds remain, and we'll look at them. Also, keep in mind that some methods require developer rights or access to the file system.

If you're looking for a way to hack someone else's Wi-Fi, this article isn't for you. We're only covering legal steps. your own network, the password for which was once entered on the phone. All methods have been tested on real devices and do not require installing questionable apps.

1. Method via Samsung settings (only for older versions of Android)

On phones with Android 9 Pie and below (for example, Galaxy S8 or Galaxy Note 9 (On stock firmware), the Wi-Fi password could be seen directly in the connections menu. In newer OS versions, this method doesn't work, but if you have an old device, try:

1. Open Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi.
2. Tap on the name of your network (it must be connected).
3. Select Network management or Additionally.
4. Check the box Show password (You may be asked to enter your lock screen PIN).

If the point Show password No, it means your phone has a newer version of Android, and you'll need to use other methods. This method may also not work on custom firmware (for example, LineageOS).

⚠️ Attention: On phones with Android 10+ This method is blocked at the system level. Attempting to edit system files without root access will reset your Wi-Fi settings.

2. Extracting the password via the configuration file (without root)

In Android, all saved Wi-Fi networks are stored in a file wpa_supplicant.conf. It can be accessed through ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a debugging tool that doesn't require root access. This guide is suitable for Samsung Galaxy on Android 10–14:

Enable USB debugging in Developer Options

Install Samsung drivers on your computer

Download the ADB platform from Google's official website.

Connect your phone to your PC via cable (file transfer mode)

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Next, run the commands in the terminal (Windows/macOS/Linux command line):

adb shell
su -c "cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml | grep -A 4 '<string name="PreSharedKey">'"

If the command returns an error Permission denied, try an alternative route:

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

After that, open the downloaded file in any text editor and find the line <string name="PreSharedKey">YOUR_PASSWORD</string>The password will be encrypted in the format hex - to decrypt, use online converters (for example, this).

⚠️ Note: On some models Samsung (For example, Galaxy S22 Ultra) file WifiConfigStore.xml may be protected by additional encryption. In this case, only root access will help.

What to do if ADB doesn't see the device?

1. Check if USB debugging mode is enabled in developer options (path: Settings → About phone → Build number - tap 7 times, then return to Settings → System → Developer Options).

2. Install official drivers Samsung USB Driver from the support site.

3. Try a different USB cable (preferably the original one).

4. Restart your phone and computer.

3. Using password viewer apps (without root)

IN Google Play There are apps that can extract saved Wi-Fi passwords without root access. They work through the same system files as the ADB method, but with a more user-friendly interface. The best options for Samsung:

• 🔍 WiFi Password Viewer — shows all saved networks and their passwords (requires Android 10+).
• 📱 WiFi Key Recovery — works on most Samsung devices, but may not display passwords for WPA3 networks.
• 🛡️ Network Info II — in addition to passwords, it shows the MAC addresses of routers and signal strength.

How to use:

1. Download and install one of the applications.
2. Open it and grant access to Wi-Fi settings (upon request).
3. Find your network in the list and tap on it - the password will be displayed in the field Password or Pre-shared key.

Restrictions:

• ❌ On Android 12+ Some applications may not work due to stricter security policies.
• ❌ Passwords for networks with WPA3-Enterprise (corporate networks) are not displayed.
• ❌ On phones with Knox (For example, Galaxy S23) applications may be blocked from accessing system files.

Android 10

Android 11

Android 12

Android 13

Android 14

Don't know

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4. Viewing the password via root access (for advanced users)

If on yours Samsung Galaxy installed root (for example, through Magisk), you can extract the password in a few seconds. This method is suitable for all Android versions and encryption types (including WPA3).

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (e.g. Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Follow the path: /data/misc/wifi/.
3. Open the file WifiConfigStore.xml in a text editor.
4. Find the block with the name of your network (SSID) - there will be a line with a password next to it (PreSharedKey).

Alternative method via terminal (requires Termux with root access):

su
cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml | grep -A 5 "VASH_SSID"

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Powered by all versions of Android.
• ✅ Shows passwords from all saved networks, and not just the current one.
• ✅ You can copy the password to the clipboard for quick transfer.

⚠️ Warning: Rooting voids the warranty on the phone and can lead to problems with Samsung Pay, Secure Folder and banking applications. On new models (for example, Galaxy S24) unlocking the bootloader resets the data.

5. Alternative methods (if nothing helps)

If none of the methods worked, try these options:

The most reliable of the alternative methods is Viewing the password on a routerTo do this:

1. Connect to the router via cable or through another phone/laptop.
2. Open your browser and type in the address bar 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 (the address is indicated on the router sticker).
3. Enter login/password (usually admin/admin or admin/password from sticker).
4. Go to the section Wi-Fi or Wireless network - there will be a field there Password or Key.

6. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

When trying to find out the Wi-Fi password on Samsung Users are encountering common problems. Here's how to solve them:

• 🔄 The phone does not show the password in the settings. → This is normal for Android 10+. Use ADB or apps.
• 🔌 ADB doesn't see the device. → Check the drivers, cable and connection mode (must be File transfer).
• 🔒 The WifiConfigStore.xml file is empty. → Try the path /data/misc/apexdata/com.android.wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml (for Android 12+).
• 📱 The app asks for root. → Set another one (for example, WiFi Password Viewer often works without root).
• 🚫 The "Show password" button is inactive → So the network is connected via WPS or Enterprise-mode.

If you see the message This network may be using an older security standard - this means that the network is using an outdated protocol WEP or WPAIn this case, the password can only be retrieved via root or the router.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to find out the Wi-Fi password on a Samsung without a computer?

Yes, if you use apps like WiFi Password Viewer or WiFi Key RecoveryThey don't require a PC connection, but they may not work on Android 12+ without root access. You can also try connecting to the router through your phone's browser and viewing the password in the web interface.

Why is there no "Show Password" button in Samsung settings?

Starting from Android 10Google has banned displaying Wi-Fi passwords in plaintext for security reasons. This feature remains only on custom firmware (for example, LineageOS) or on phones with root access.

Will my router reset if I try to retrieve the password via ADB?

No, ADB It only reads data and doesn't make any changes to your router or phone settings. However, if you make a mistake with the commands (for example, by trying to edit system files), this could cause a Wi-Fi outage on your phone. In this case, resetting the network settings in the menu will help. Settings → General Management → Reset.

Is it possible to find out the password for a guest network's Wi-Fi?

Yes, but only if the phone has ever connected to this guest network. The password is stored in the same file. WifiConfigStore.xml, but can be designated as Guest_SSIDIf the guest network uses a separate VLAN, you won't be able to extract her password via your phone—you'll need access to the router.

Do these methods work on Samsung tablets?

Yes, all methods from the article are suitable for tablets. Samsung Galaxy Tab (For example, Tab S8 or Tab A7). The main thing is that the device must have an Android version equal to or higher than the one for which the method is intended (for example, ADB works on all versions, while viewing in settings only works on Android 9 and below).