How to find the Wi-Fi password on an Android tablet

It's a common situation to need to connect a new device to a wireless network but lose or forget the password. It often happens that a tablet or smartphone is already connected to the router and has a stable internet connection, but it's impossible to remember the password to enter on another device. Android-devices often wonder if it's possible to somehow "extract" this data directly from the system, without resetting the router settings or looking for a contract with the provider.

Fortunately, the Android operating system, starting with certain versions, allows users to manage saved networks more flexibly. However, the method for accessing security keys depends heavily on the firmware version and the user's access rights. In this article, we'll cover all available methods in detail, from built-in features to specialized utilities, so you can restore access to your network.

It's worth noting right away that modern versions of Google's mobile OS place a high priority on security. Therefore, simply opening a text file containing passwords in a standard file manager won't work. System limitations Block direct access to the wireless connection database for common applications. However, workarounds exist, and they are perfectly legal if you're restoring access to your own network.

Before you begin, make sure the device you plan to use to retrieve the password is actually connected to the desired network or has been connected to it before. If the tablet has "forgotten" the network or you've never entered the password on this particular device, the methods described below may not work without first authorizing it with a QR code from another device.

Standard features of Android 10 and later

Starting with Android 10, Google introduced a native QR code generation feature for quickly connecting guests. This feature also became a lifesaver for those who forgot their password, as a text version of the security key is often displayed under the graphic code. This method doesn't require root privileges or third-party software.

The process is as follows: go to Settings your tablet, then go to the section Wi-Fi or ConnectionsFind the network you need to find the password for and click the gear icon next to its name. In the menu that opens, look for the button Share or a QR code icon.

⚠️ Note: Some operating systems (such as MIUI or OneUI) may require identification via a fingerprint scanner, pattern lock, or Face ID to display the QR code. This is a standard security measure.

After successful identification, a square code will appear on the screen. In most cases, the text "Password: [your_password]" will appear directly below it or just below it. If there is no text, you can take a screenshot and open it in Google Lens or any QR code reader from your gallery—they will instantly decode the code and display the password as text.

• 📱 Open Wi-Fi settings on the connected device.
• 🔒 Click on the gear icon or the name of the active network.
• 👁️ Select the "Share" or "QR code" option.
• 📸 Take a screenshot if the password is not visible in text.

This method is the most reliable and secure, as it doesn't require tampering with system files. However, it only works on relatively new devices. If you have an older tablet running Android 9 or earlier, you'll have to look for other solutions.

Using the Developer Options and ADB

For users who are comfortable with technical settings, there is a method for obtaining the password via USB debugging. This method does not require any privileges. Root, but requires a computer and the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) driver installed. The method involves querying the tablet for saved network configurations via the computer's command line.

The first thing you need to do is activate debug mode. Go to Settings → About the phone (or "About device") and find the item Build numberTap it quickly 7-10 times in a row until the message "You are now a developer" appears. After this, a new section will appear in the main settings menu: For developers.

Inside the developer menu, you need to find and activate the switch USB debuggingConnect your tablet to your computer via a USB cable. A prompt will appear on your tablet's screen asking if you want to allow debugging from this computer. Be sure to click "Allow" and check "Always allow."

adb shell dumpsys wifi | grep "mConfiguredNetworks" -A 50

The command above will output a large amount of technical information. You need to look for lines containing SSID (your network name) and pre_shared_key (This is the password). Please note that on newer versions of Android, Google has disabled the ability to view passwords in plaintext via ADB without root access, so this method is primarily effective on devices running Android 9 and below, or on specific firmware versions.

What to do if the computer does not detect the tablet?

If nothing happens when you connect the cable, try replacing the USB cable. Cheap cables are often designed only for charging and do not have data lines. You may also need to install ADB drivers or manufacturer-specific drivers (Samsung, Huawei, etc.).

Password recovery apps

There are many apps in the Google Play Store that promise to reveal saved passwords. However, there's a key caveat: without permission Root These applications cannot read the system file. wpa_supplicant.conf, where the keys are stored. Most of these programs work as QR code generators (similar to the built-in function) or require complex configuration via ADB.

One of the popular solutions is the application WiFi Password Viewer or similar apps. If the device is rooted, these apps instantly display a list of all networks and passwords. If not, the app may offer to create a Wi-Fi settings shortcut or use alternative methods, which, however, are not always reliable.

⚠️ Caution: Be extremely careful when installing apps that access Wi-Fi. Many are filled with ads or may collect data about your connections. Use only trusted, highly rated apps.

There's also a category of apps that act as a bridge between your tablet and computer. You install the Android client and the PC app, connect them via Wi-Fi, and the PC app reads the configuration. However, without root access, the scanning depth will be limited.

• 📲 Download a password viewer app from a trusted source.
• 🛡️ Grant the app the necessary permissions (Root or access to settings).
• 📋 Copy the password from the list or scan the generated QR code.
• 🗑️ For security reasons, please delete the app after use.

View via file manager (Root only)

If your tablet has been previously rooted, the task is extremely simple. All Wi-Fi passwords in Android are stored in a text configuration file. To access it, you'll need a file manager with superuser rights, such as Root Explorer, ES File Explorer (old versions) or Solid Explorer.

The procedure is extremely simple: launch the file manager, grant it root privileges when prompted, and then follow the path /data/misc/wifi/In this folder, find a file named wpa_supplicant.conf or simply wpa_supplicant. Open it as a text file.

Inside the file you will see entries in this format:

network={
ssid="MyHomeWiFi"
psk="SuperSecretPassword123"
key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
}

Here ssid — is the name of the network, and psk — the password you're looking for. You can copy it and use it on any other device. This method works on all rooted Android versions, regardless of Google's restrictions.

Login to the router's web interface

If none of the methods on the tablet itself work, the "gold standard" is always accessing the router's settings. Since your tablet is connected to Wi-Fi, it's on the same local network as the router, giving you direct access to its control panel. All you need is a browser.

In the address bar of your browser (Chrome, Samsung Internet, etc.), enter the router's IP address. Most often, this is 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1The exact address is often written on a sticker on the bottom of the router. The system will ask for your username and password to access the admin panel. If you haven't changed them, try the default pairs (admin/admin, admin/password), which are also indicated on the sticker.

Once you get to the router menu, look for a section called Wireless, Wi-Fi, Wireless network or WLANThere will be a subsection inside. Security (Security). Right there in the field PSK Password, Wireless Password or Network key The current password is displayed. You can simply read it, copy it, or replace it with a new one.

Reset and reinstall the network

As a last resort, if a password is required to connect a new device and the old tablet won't let you see it (for example, if it's running Android 6 without root), you can use the "forget network" method and then connect via QR code from an already authorized smartphone. However, if this isn't possible, the only other option is to reset the network settings on the tablet itself, although this won't reveal the password, only clearing the list.

However, there's a catch: if you have access to a Windows computer that has ever connected to this Wi-Fi network, you can find the password there. In Windows 10/11, go to Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Managing wireless networksDouble-click on the network → Wireless network properties → tab Security → check mark Show entered characters.

The password obtained in this way can be manually entered on the tablet. This is often easier than trying to hack Android security on the tablet. You can also use the Windows command line: netsh wlan show profile name="Network_Name" key=clear.

⚠️ Note: Android menu interfaces may differ depending on the manufacturer (Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei). The names of the options may vary, but the logic remains the same.

Remember that knowing your own network password is a responsibility. Never use this knowledge to access someone else's wireless network without the owner's permission, as this violates computer security laws.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to find out the Wi-Fi password on a tablet without root access on Android 13?

Yes, this is possible using the built-in QR code generation feature in the Wi-Fi settings. The code usually displays a text password. If there is no text, scan the code using Google Lens.

Why don't Play Market apps show their passwords?

The Android security system prevents regular apps from reading system files where passwords are stored. Without root privileges, they cannot access the database. wpa_supplicant.conf.

What should I do if I forgot my router password (admin panel)?

If the default admin/admin keys aren't working, you'll need to perform a hard reset of the router using the button on the case. After that, you'll need to configure the router again.

Is it safe to use third-party password viewers?

Use only trusted, open-source, or highly rated apps. Be careful: some programs may contain ads or collect data about your connections.