Many users are familiar with the situation when they need to connect a new device to a wireless network but have completely forgotten the password. Fortunately, if your smartphone is based on Android If the device was previously connected to this network, the operating system stores the credentials in its memory. This allows not only automatic reconnection but also, if desired, the user to extract the password for use on other devices.
In modern versions of mobile operating systems, starting from Android 10 and newer, the process of viewing saved security keys has become significantly simpler and doesn't require complex manipulations or superuser rights. However, on older versions of the system or in certain manufacturers' shells, the procedure may differ. In this article, we'll cover all current methods in detail, from default settings to using console commands.
It's worth noting that the ability to view your password in plaintext directly depends on the security level set by your smartphone manufacturer. Some brands, such as Samsung or Xiaomi, implement their own add-ons that may obscure characters or require additional biometric authentication. However, Google's standard tools can, in most cases, bypass these restrictions.
Using stock settings on Android 10 and later
Starting with the tenth version of the operating system, Google engineers implemented a QR code generation feature for quickly logging in guests. This feature also became the key to viewing saved passwords. To get started, go to the menu. Settings and select a section Network and Internet or Connections, depending on your device model. Next, click on the item Wi-Fito see the list of available networks.
Find the network you want to get the key for in the list and click on it. If there's a gear icon next to the network name, click it. The menu that opens should include a button. Share or a QR code icon. The system will require you to verify your identity using a fingerprint scanner, facial recognition, or a screen unlock PIN. This is a security measure to prevent unauthorized access to your data.
After successful authorization, a QR code will appear on the screen for scanning. In most modern shells MIUI, One UI and pure Android The text password will be written below or just above the code itself. If the text is hidden by asterisks, simply click the eye icon to reveal the characters. You can now copy them or rewrite them.
It's important to understand that on some devices, the password text may not be displayed immediately. In this case, the visual code remains the only way to transfer data. You can scan this code with any other phone, and it will automatically connect to the network, saving the data to the new device's memory.
⚠️ Please note: On corporate smartphones or devices with MDM (Mobile Device Management) profiles installed, the password viewing function may be blocked by the organization's security administrator.
View password through Google Photos and Lens
If your smartphone's interface hides your password, the built-in image recognition feature can help. This method is especially useful for owners of phones with custom skins, where manufacturers sometimes hide useful information. The idea is to trick the system into reading the text on the screen as if it were a regular image.
First, follow the steps described in the previous section to trigger the QR code to appear on the screen. Once the code appears, take a screenshot using a combination of buttons or a gesture. Then, open the app. Google Photos and find the photo you just took. Click the button Search by photo (camera lens icon) at the bottom of the screen.
The system will analyze the image and highlight text areas. If the password is displayed on the screen as text, it will be recognized. If only a QR code is visible, press the button. Search the web or Open link, which will appear in a pop-up window. In some cases, Google Object will immediately display the code's contents, including the password, in text format.
- 📸 Take a screenshot of the screen with the QR code.
- 🔍 Open the image in the Google Photos app.
- 👁️ Click on the "Lens" icon to analyze the content.
- 📝 Copy the recognized password text to the clipboard.
This method is universal and works on virtually all devices with Google Play installed. It doesn't require any additional software and is completely secure, as it doesn't transmit your data to third-party servers in clear text, but processes it locally or in Google's secure cloud.
Using the ADB console for advanced users
For those who are not afraid to work with the command line and want to access system configuration files without Root rights, an excellent solution would be to use the tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method allows you to retrieve saved Wi-Fi configurations directly from the system, bypassing the graphical interface. You'll need a computer, a USB cable, and installed ADB drivers.
The first step is to enable USB debugging mode on your smartphone. Go to Settings → About the phone and press seven times quickly Build numberto unlock the menu For developersIn the menu that appears, find the item USB debugging and activate it. Connect your phone to your computer and confirm the debugging request on your smartphone's screen.
Open a command prompt on your computer in the ADB folder and enter the following command to list saved networks:
adb shell cmd wifi list-networksThis command will list all known networks and their SSIDs. Find the desired network in the list and note its ID. Next, use the following command to get detailed information about a specific network, including the cleartext password:
adb shell cmd wifi get-network In the command output you will see the line SecurityConfig, where the encryption type and the password itself will be indicated (PreSharedKey). This method works on Android 10 and above, as it uses the new Wi-Fi control APIs introduced in these versions.
⚠️ Note: The ADB command interface may vary across Android versions. If the commandcmd wifidoesn't work, try using the old method viaadb pull /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf, but it will require root rights.
Receiving data through router settings
If your phone doesn't allow you to view the password, but you have a computer or tablet connected to the same network (or a cable connection), you can access the router's admin panel. This is the most secure method and works regardless of your Android version or phone model. You'll need to know the gateway IP address, which is usually found on a sticker on the inside of the router.
Open your browser and enter the router's address in the address bar, most often it is 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1Enter the administrator login and password. If you haven't changed them, they're also listed on the device's sticker (often admin/admin). After logging into the interface, find the section responsible for wireless networking. It may be called Wireless, Wi-Fi, Wireless mode or WLAN.
Look for the subsection within the section Wireless Security or Security settingsThere will be a field there. PSK Password, WPA Pre-Shared Key or Wireless network passwordOften the password is hidden behind dots, but there is always a checkbox next to it. Show Password or an eye icon that allows you to see a combination of symbols.
| Router brand | Typical login address | Menu section | Password field name |
|---|---|---|---|
| TP-Link | 192.168.0.1 | Wireless → Wireless Security | Password |
| ASUS | 192.168.1.1 | Wireless Network → General | Authentication method (password) |
| D-Link | 192.168.0.1 | Wi-Fi → Security Settings | PSK encryption key |
| Keenetic | 192.168.1.1 | My Networks and Wi-Fi → Home Network | Password |
| Tenda | 192.168.0.1 | Wireless Settings | Wireless Password |
Using the admin panel gives you an additional advantage: you can not only find out the current password but also change it to a more complex one if you suspect your neighbors have connected to your network. After changing the password, all devices will need to be reconnected.
What should I do if my router admin password has been changed and forgotten?
In this case, the only solution is a full reset of the router to factory settings. There's a Reset button on the device; press and hold it for 10-15 seconds while the power is on. Afterward, the router will reset to the default login and password listed on the sticker, but you'll have to re-enter all your provider settings.
Specifics of working with different Android shells
Smartphone manufacturers often modify the standard Android interface, adding their own features or changing the layout of elements. This can significantly impact the password search process. For example, in the shell MIUI Xiaomi's Share button can be hidden in a drop-down menu by long-pressing on a network instead of by simply clicking it.
Devices Samsung with shell One UI Usually require confirmation via Samsung Account or biometrics before displaying the QR code. In some firmware versions, Samsung hides the text password under the QR code, and to display it, you need to tap the special eye icon that appears after scanning your fingerprint. If you have a Huawei or Honor phone with EMUI, the path may lie in the Settings → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi+ Settings.
On smartphones running stock Android, such as the Google Pixel or Motorola, the interface is most closely aligned with the standard described in the first section. These devices are less likely to encounter issues with text obscuring, but there may be limitations on the number of devices to which a password can be transmitted via QR code within a given time period.
- 📱 Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO: Long press on the network → Share → Password under the code.
- 📱 Samsung: Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi → Gear → Share → Biometrics.
- 📱 Huawei/Honor: Settings → Wi-Fi → Tap network → QR code.
- 📱 Realme/Oppo: Settings → Wi-Fi → Tap network → Share password.
If you can't find the option you need in the above locations, use the phone settings search. Enter "Wi-Fi" or "QR" in the search bar, and the system will automatically prompt you for the desired menu section.
☑️ Check your password before viewing it
Potential security issues and limitations
Despite its convenience, Android's security system has a number of limitations that can prevent you from discovering your password. The main limitation concerns access rights. If you're using a very old version of Android (below 10), the system won't allow you to view your password without root access, as the configuration file wpa_supplicant.conf closed from reading by regular applications.
Corporate networks can be another problem. If your phone is connected to the organization's Wi-Fi via an EAP-TLS profile or using certificates, a password in the traditional sense may not be present. In such cases, authorization occurs via a digital certificate, and the concept of a "password" as a string of characters is not applicable in this context.
It's also worth considering that some antivirus and security applications may block access to system sharing functions, considering password extraction a potentially dangerous action. In this case, temporarily disable security modules or add the settings app to the exceptions list.
⚠️ Warning: Do not install dubious apps from the Play Store with names like "Wi-Fi Password Viewer" that promise to show your password without rooting. In 99% of cases, these are adware or malware that steals data. Use only the built-in system tools.
In conclusion, the most universal and secure method remains using the built-in QR code generator in Android 10+ settings. For older devices or specific situations, the best solution remains logging into the router's admin panel, which gives you full control over the network.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to find out the Wi-Fi password without rooting Android 9 and below?
Unfortunately, on Android 9 (Pie) and earlier, system files with passwords are protected and cannot be accessed using standard tools. The only option without root is to access the router settings through a browser, provided you know the gateway address and administrator login.
Why isn't the password text displayed under the QR code?
This is a feature of your smartphone's shell. Some manufacturers (for example, in older versions of MIUI or EMUI) only show the code. In this case, use Google Lens (camera) to scan another phone's screen or take a screenshot and analyze it using Google Photos, as described in this article.
Is it safe to share a password via QR code?
Yes, it's secure. The QR code contains an encrypted connection string. As long as you only show the code to trusted people in person, the risk of interception is minimal. However, you shouldn't post screenshots of your home network's QR code publicly.
What should I do if my router won't let me access the settings using the default password?
If the default password (admin/admin) doesn't work and you haven't changed it, your ISP may have changed the settings remotely. Try finding the information on the sticker. If there's no sticker or the password has been changed and forgotten, resetting the router using the Reset button will help.