Many people are familiar with the situation of needing to connect a new device to their home network but completely forgetting the Wi-Fi password. Fortunately, modern smartphones running the operating system Android They store data about previously connected networks, allowing you to retrieve the necessary information at any time. However, the standard interface doesn't always make this feature obvious, hiding it deep within security settings.
In this article, we'll discuss current methods for recovering forgotten access keys for different OS versions. You'll learn how to use built-in system features, work with QR codes, and, if necessary, use more sophisticated technical tools to access system files. Restoring access It's possible even without special superuser rights, if you know where to look.
The standard method is through network settings in Android 10 and later.
Starting with the tenth version of the operating system, Google engineers implemented a convenient data exchange mechanism via QR codes, which also allows you to see the hidden password. This is the simplest and most secure method, requiring no third-party software. All you need is access to the Wi-Fi menu and careful attention when reading the information on the screen.
To get started, open your smartphone's settings and go to the wireless networks section. Find the item Wi-Fi and click on it. A list of available networks will appear, along with a list of saved ones. Find the network you need the key for and click on the gear icon or the network name.
On the connection details page that opens, look for the button Share or QR codeThe system may require identification via a fingerprint scanner, Face ID, or screen unlock pattern. Upon successful authentication, a square code and text below it will appear on the screen.
- 📱 Find the desired Wi-Fi name in the list of networks and click the gear icon.
- 🔓 Click the "Share" button and confirm your identity with biometrics or a PIN code.
- 👁️ Look at the text below the QR code - the password will be written there in clear text.
⚠️ Attention: On some smartphone models (for example, older versions of MIUI or OneUI), the password text may be hidden behind asterisks even in the QR code menu. In this case, try taking a screenshot and opening it in the Google Lens app or another QR reader—they can often recognize the text portion of the code.
If the text below the code is not displayed and only asterisks are visible, this means that the manufacturer of your model smartphone I've decided to hide this information for security reasons. In this case, the standard method won't work directly, and you'll need to use the alternatives described below.
Using Google Home to View Keys
Owners of devices with the Google ecosystem often overlook the application Google Home, which is installed by default on many smartphones. It not only controls your smart home but also has access to a database of saved Wi-Fi networks synced with your account.
Open the Google Home app on a phone that's already connected to the desired network. In the interface, find the device's "Wi-Fi" card or go to the network settings. The current connection is often displayed there. If you tap the share icon or network settings, the system may prompt you to show a QR code or copy the password to the clipboard.
This method is especially effective if you have access to the Google account you previously connected with. Password syncing via Google Password Manager Allows retrieving data on any device where you are logged into your account.
- 🏠 Open the Google Home app on your connected device.
- 🔗 Go to the "Devices" section and select your router or access point.
- 📋 Click "Share" or "Network Password" to view the details.
Verification via Google account (Password Manager)
One of the most reliable methods, which works regardless of your Android version, is to check Google's password manager. If syncing was enabled on your device, your Wi-Fi network keys may have been automatically saved in your account's secure vault.
To check this, open your phone settings and find the section Google. Next, select the tab Autofill and then Google AutocompleteIn the menu that opens, click on the item Passwords (or Google Password Manager). You will need to log in.
Use the search in the list of saved data. Enter the name of your Wi-Fi network or the word "Wi-Fi." If the data is saved, you will see an entry with the network name. After clicking on it and confirming your identity, you will see a password field that you can copy or share.
| Parameter | Description | Where to find |
|---|---|---|
| Network name (SSID) | Name of your access point | Search in the password manager |
| Data type | Password or security key | The "Password" field in details |
| Save date | When was the key added? | Recording Information |
| Synchronization | Cloud Storage Status | Google Account Settings |
This method is good because it allows you to find out the password even if the phone is not connected to the network right now, the main thing is to have internet access to download data from the cloud. Password manager is a centralized storage, so the data there is often more current than in local application caches.
⚠️ Attention: The Google settings interface may vary depending on your phone model (Pixel, Samsung, Xiaomi). If you can't find the "Autofill" option, try searching for "Passwords" or "Password Manager" in your phone's settings.
Using ADB on Non-Rooted Devices
For advanced users who do not have superuser rights (Root), but own a computer, there is a method via USB debugging. Android Debug Bridge (ADB) Allows you to send commands to the system that are not normally available through the standard interface.
You will need to enable developer mode on your phone. To do this, go to Settings → About phone and quickly tap the build number 7 times. Then, in the menu that appears For developers activate USB debuggingConnect your phone to the PC using a cable.
On your computer, open a command prompt in the folder where ADB is installed. Enter the following command to list saved networks:
adb shell cmd wifi list-networksHowever, on most modern Android versions, direct password output via this command is blocked by security policies. However, if you have access to a terminal app with ADB privileges installed on your phone (via Shizuku or similar bridges), you can try querying the database:
sqlite3 /data/misc/wifi/wifi.db"select * from config;"- 💻 Install ADB drivers and the Android SDK platform on your computer.
- 🔌 Enable USB debugging in the developer menu on your smartphone.
- 📝 Run a query command against the Wi-Fi configuration database.
What should I do if ADB doesn't detect my phone?
Make sure the window asking for permission to debug from this computer appears on your phone's screen. Also, try replacing your USB cable, as some cables are only for charging and don't transfer data.
Methods for Rooted Devices
If your smartphone is unlocked and has rights Root (superuser), the task becomes trivial. You gain full access to the file system, where all network configurations are stored, either encrypted or unencrypted.
You will need any file manager that supports Root access, for example, Root Explorer, Solid Explorer or MT ManagerAfter launching the application, grant it superuser privileges when prompted.
Navigate to the following path in the root directory:
/data/misc/wifi/There is a file in this folder that interests you. wpa_supplicant.conf (on older Androids) or files with the extension .conf in the folder ApexData (on new Android 11+). Open this file as text. You'll see a list of all networks in this format:
network={ssid="MyWiFi"
psk="MyPassword123"
key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
}
Here ssid — is the name of the network, and psk — and there's the password you're looking for. On newer versions of Android, passwords can be hashed, but for personal networks, they often remain in readable form or as a usable PSK key.
⚠️ Attention: Unintentional changes to system files may result in unstable Wi-Fi operation. Use a file manager to read (view) the file only; do not edit or delete lines unless you are confident in what you are doing.
☑️ Check before rooting
Third-party recovery apps
In the store Google Play There are many apps that promise to reveal passwords. However, it's important to understand how they work. On Android without root access, no app can simply extract a password from the system due to sandboxing.
Work applications (eg. WiFi Password Viewer (or similar) typically operate in one of two ways. Either they require root access, or they use special methods to create an access point to redirect traffic and analyze the handshake, which is complex and time-consuming. The most honest method for such apps is to try to scan a QR code from another device or use an API to exchange keys between devices from the same manufacturer.
Be extremely wary of apps that request suspicious permissions. Often, "password revealers" are actually advertising bloatware or data-collecting apps. Genuine Wi-Fi utilities on Android are now practically useless without root access due to Google's tightened security policies.
- 🛡️ Check the permissions an app requests before installing it.
- 📉 Don't trust apps with low ratings and few reviews.
- 🔍 Look for password export features in antivirus applications (Kaspersky, ESET); they often have legitimate network security check modules.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to find out my neighbor's Wi-Fi password if I've connected to it before?
No, this is impossible and illegal. You can only see the password for the network your phone is currently connected to or has previously connected to, and only if you have physical access to the device with the stored data. Remotely hacking someone else's network through a phone is a myth spread by scammers.
Where is the password file stored on Android without root?
Configuration files are located in the system partition. /data/misc/wifi/Access to this section is restricted to regular apps and users. Without root access or the use of special bridges (such as ADB with certain permissions), it will be impossible to read this file directly through the file manager.
What should I do if the QR code shows asterisks instead of a password?
This is a limitation of your smartphone's software. Try taking a screenshot of the screen with the QR code, then open it in Google Photos or Google Lens and tap "Search by image" or "Recognize text." The system will often recognize hidden text in the image.
Will resetting network settings reset the password?
Yes, Reset Network Settings will delete all saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth pairings, and mobile network settings. You'll need to re-enter your passwords afterward. Only do this if other methods haven't worked or you're having connection issues.