Many users are familiar with the situation of needing to connect a new device to the network but having forgotten or lost the password. It often happens that a tablet is already connected to the router and successfully accesses the internet, but the exact login combination has been erased from its memory. In this case, a natural question arises: is it possible to somehow retrieve this data directly from the device's settings, without resetting the router itself or searching for a sticker on its body.
Fortunately, modern mobile operating systems such as Android And iPadOS, provide fairly flexible tools for managing network connections. However, the methods for viewing saved security keys vary significantly depending on the software version and device manufacturer. Below, we'll detail the available methods for different platforms.
It is worth noting right away that data security This is a priority for developers, so it was impossible to simply view the password in plaintext in older OS versions. Today, the situation has changed, and access to this information has become more transparent to the device owner, but it requires certain actions in the settings menu.
View your password on Android 10 and later
Starting with the tenth version of the operating system AndroidGoogle has implemented a native feature that allows you to share network access via a QR code, which also contains the password. This is the easiest and most secure method, requiring no third-party apps or root privileges. You don't need to be an IT expert to perform these steps.
To begin, open your tablet's standard settings menu and go to the "Network & Internet" or "Connections" section. Here you need to select Wi-Fi, which will display a list of available networks. Next to the name of the network you're currently connected to (or one saved to memory), you'll usually see a gear icon or an arrow. Clicking it will take you to detailed connection properties.
In the menu that opens, look for a button labeled "Share" or a QR code icon. The system will ask you to verify your identity using biometrics (fingerprint, face scanner) or by entering your screen unlock PIN. After successful authentication, a square code will appear on the screen and, most importantly, a text line below or next to it indicating your network password.
⚠️ Note: On some tablets (e.g., Samsung or Xiaomi), the password text may be hidden by asterisks even after scanning the code. In this case, take a screenshot of the screen with the QR code, open it in Gallery, and use Google Lens or Image Search to read the text.
If the automatic text display doesn't work, you can use a third-party QR code scanner. Save the code image to your gallery, launch the scanner, and select the image from memory. The app will decode the data and display a string like this: WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:MyPassword;;Symbols after P: and before ;; - this is the access key we are looking for.
Using a Google account for syncing
The Google ecosystem allows you to sync saved Wi-Fi passwords across all devices linked to the same account. This feature is especially useful if you have access to another Google-powered device. Android or a computer with a browser Google Chrome, where you previously logged in. The data is stored in secure cloud storage.
To use this method, open the Chrome browser on any device where you're signed in to your Google account. Go to the browser's settings, which is usually located at Settings → Autofill → Password ManagerIn some interface versions, this section may be called simply "Passwords".
In the list of saved data, find the name of your wireless network. Clicking on it will prompt you to re-authorize (either with your account password or biometrics). This will open a data card where you can click the eye icon in the "Password" field to reveal hidden characters. This method works regardless of the Android version on your tablet, as long as syncing is enabled.
- 🔑 Make sure the "Password Sync" option is enabled in Google settings on your tablet.
- 🌐 This method works even if the tablet is not currently connected to the internet, but the data has been downloaded previously.
- 📱 Check that the network is listed under the same name (SSID) that is currently in use.
It's important to understand that this method depends on whether syncing was enabled beforehand. If you just bought your tablet or never set up a Google account, your data may not be in the cloud. In this case, it's worth checking other devices in your home that may have saved the password.
Specifics of Samsung and Xiaomi devices
Large manufacturers often modify the interface Android, adding your own shells such as One UI Samsung or MIUI/HyperOS Xiaomi. On these systems, viewing passwords may have its own unique features, different from stock Android. They are usually hidden in the "More" menu or require a double-tap.
On tablets Samsung After entering the Wi-Fi network properties and tapping the "Share" button (QR code), the password is often displayed in small print directly below the code. If it's not there, try tapping the "Eye" button at the bottom of the screen, if available. Some firmware versions require tapping the QR code itself to view the details.
Devices Xiaomi And Redmi They also generate a QR code when attempting to share a network. However, if the password text isn't immediately visible, the system may offer to "Recognize QR code" using built-in tools. Simply take a screenshot, open it using the Scanner or Gallery app, and the system will automatically offer to copy the password or display it in text format.
| Tablet brand | Path to settings | Action to view | Do you need a scanner? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung | Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi | Click the gear → Share | Not always |
| Xiaomi / Redmi | Settings → Wi-Fi | Click on the network name → QR code | Often needed |
| Google Pixel | Settings → Network & Internet | Gear → Share | No |
| Huawei | Settings → Wi-Fi | Click on the network → QR code | Yes |
What to do if the QR code is not generated?
If the Share button is missing or inactive, your tablet may have corporate security policies or a device administrator profile that blocks this feature. If this is the case, try removing this profile in the security settings.
How to find the password on an iPad (iPadOS and iOS)
For tablet owners from Apple I was even luckier with the release of updates. iPadOS 16 And iOS 16Apple has finally added the long-awaited feature to view saved Wi-Fi passwords directly in System Preferences. Prior to these releases, this was virtually impossible to do without jailbreaking.
The process is as simple as possible: take the tablet in your hands and go to Settings → Wi-FiFind the network whose password you want to find out in the list. A blue information icon, shaped like an "i" in a circle, will appear next to the network name (on the right). Click it.
In the menu that opens, you'll see a "Password" field with characters hidden by dots. Simply tap this field with your finger. The system will immediately ask you to confirm Face ID (facial recognition) or Touch ID (fingerprint) or require the device's passcode. Once verified, the dots will turn into readable text that can be copied.
⚠️ Note: The password viewing feature is only available on iPadOS 16 and later. If you have an older version of the operating system, this method will not work, and you will have to find workarounds by syncing with your Mac or adjusting your router settings.
If you have a computer MacIf you're using a network linked to the same Apple ID and have iCloud Keychain enabled, you can find the password using the Keychain Access app on your computer. Find your network name in the list, double-click it, and check "Show password." Confirm the action with your fingerprint or Mac account password.
Checking via the router's web interface
If you can't view the password through your tablet's settings (for example, the Android version is out of date and iPadOS isn't updated), the most secure method is to log in to the router's admin panel. The tablet must be connected to a Wi-Fi network (even without internet) or to the router via an OTG cable (if the model supports it).
Open any browser on your tablet (Chrome, Safari, Firefox) and enter the router's IP address in the address bar. 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. You'll be asked to enter the administrator login and password (not to be confused with the Wi-Fi password!). By default, this is often admin/admin.
Once you've entered the interface, look for the section related to wireless networking. It may be called Wireless, Wi-Fi Settings, Wireless mode or WLAN. Within this section, look for the “Security” subsection (Security). Right there in the field Wireless Password, WPA Pre-Shared Key or "Password" will indicate the current combination of characters.
- 🔍 Look for tabs named “Wireless Security,” “WLAN Settings,” or “Basic Settings.”
- 🛡️ The password field can be hidden - check the "Show Password" box if it is present.
- 💾 Don't forget to save your changes if you decide to change your password, although we only need to take a look.
Interfaces of routers from different manufacturers (TP-Link, ASUS, D-Link, Keenetic) vary greatly, but the logic is the same everywhere: Wireless Network → Security. If you've changed the router's administrator password and forgotten it, you'll have to reset it (Reset) on the router itself, which will turn off all devices.
☑️ Login to the router from a tablet
Recovery applications and analyzers
In the store Google Play There are many apps that promise to reveal saved passwords. However, you should be extremely careful. Most of these programs require root access (superuser rights), which can void your warranty and disrupt your banking apps.
Apps without root access typically can't reveal the password for an already connected network due to Android security limitations. They can only generate QR codes (if the system allows it) or brute-force passwords based on a database of popular combinations, which is rarely useful. Legitimate tools include file managers with access to system partitions, but only on rooted devices.
The file in which Android stores passwords is called wpa_supplicant.confIt is on the way. /data/misc/wifi/. It can only be read with root privileges. If your tablet is rooted, you can use a file manager (for example, Root Explorer or Solid Explorer), go to the specified path, open the file with a text editor and find the line psk="your_password".
⚠️ Warning: Installing apps from untrusted sources or gaining root access may result in your personal data being leaked. Use these methods only if you fully understand the risks and trust the software developer.
Why do apps ask for root?
Android isolates apps from each other. For a password viewer to read the system Wi-Fi configuration file, it requires superuser privileges, which are denied to regular apps by default.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to find out the Wi-Fi password if the tablet is not connected to it?
No, that's impossible. The tablet only stores passwords for networks it's ever connected to. If the device has never connected to the router, the access key simply won't exist in its system. The only option is to look at the sticker on the router or access its settings from another device.
Is it safe to use third-party password viewer apps?
Most of these apps are either useless (without root access) or potentially dangerous. They can request excessive permissions, collect data about your networks, and transmit it to third parties. It's better to use built-in Android/iOS features or proven methods using a Google/Apple account.
What should I do if I forgot my router admin password?
If standard admin/admin If they don't work, and you changed the password and forgot it, only a full reset of the router will help. There's a small hole on the case. ResetYou need to press it with a paperclip for 10-15 seconds while the router is powered on. The router will reset to factory settings, and the password will be the same as on the sticker.
Why is the password not displayed on Android 9?
In Android versions below 10, Google has blocked direct access to Wi-Fi passwords for security reasons. A system API prevents apps and settings from displaying this text. The only way for such devices to access this information is to use a Google account (if syncing was previously enabled) or log in to the router's web interface.