How to view the Wi-Fi password on a Samsung tablet: all the methods with instructions

Forgot your home or office Wi-Fi password, but your tablet Samsung Already connected to this network? The situation is familiar to many: someone else set up the router, the password is written down on a piece of paper that has long since been lost, and now you need to connect a new device. Luckily, tablets running Android (including models Galaxy Tab S, Tab A, Tab Active and others) there are several ways to extract a saved password - both using standard system tools and using additional tools.

In this article we will look at 5 proven methods, including accessing through Android settings, viewing the Wi-Fi configuration file, using ADB commands, and specialized apps. Important: Not all methods work on the latest versions. One UI (Samsung shells), so we'll point out the limitations and alternatives. You'll also learn why some methods may not work on tablets with corporate security policies or after resetting the settings.

A word of warning: if your tablet isn't rooted, some methods will be unavailable. And if the network belongs to an organization (hotel, cafe, office), extracting the password may violate the terms of use. However, for home networks, this is a legal and safe process.

Method 1: Via Android settings (only for some versions)

The easiest method is to look up the password directly in the Wi-Fi menu. Unfortunately, it doesn't work. not on all Samsung tablets. Depending on the version Android and shells One UI The path to the password may differ or be absent altogether. For example, on Galaxy Tab S8 With Android 13 This method is no longer available, but Tab A7 (Android 11) - still works.

Try the following algorithm:

1. Open Settings (gear icon in the menu or notification panel).
2. Go to the section Connections → Wi-Fi.
3. Find your network in the list and tap on its name (not on the switch!).
4. In the window that opens, click Network management or Additionally (the name may differ).
5. Check the box Show password (PIN or fingerprint may be required).

If the point Show password If not, then your firmware version hides it. In this case, proceed to the next method.

⚠️ Attention: On tablets with corporate profiles (e.g., those issued by an employer) this section may be locked by the administrator. Attempting to change the settings will result in a security policy violation notification.

2. Method: via Wi-Fi configuration file (requires file manager)

Android stores all saved Wi-Fi passwords in an encrypted file. wpa_supplicant.confOn older versions of the system (before Android 10) it could be read without root rights, but now you need it root access or special apps. However, on some Samsung tablets, the file is still accessible through the standard file manager.

Instructions:

• 📁 Open any file manager (for example, My Files from Samsung or Solid Explorer).
• 🔍 Follow the path: /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore or /data/misc/wifi/ (path may differ).
• 📄 Find the file wpa_supplicant.conf and open it with a text editor.
• 🔑 The file will contain lines like this:

  network={
  ssid="Network_Name"
  psk="wifi_password"
  key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
  }

  Where psk - this is your password.

If the file is missing or access is denied, try using applications like WiFi Password Viewer (requires root) or go to the method with ADB.

⚠️ Attention: Modifying or deleting files in a folder /data/misc/wifi/ may lead to loss of all saved networks on a tablet. Do not edit the file manually!

Method 3: Using ADB commands (no root required, but debugging required)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) — is a tool for debugging Android devices via a computer. It can be used to extract the Wi-Fi password even if the tablet isn't rooted. This method works on most Samsung devices, but requires some setup.

What you will need:

• 🖥️ A computer with Windows, macOS, or Linux.
• 🔌 USB cable for connecting the tablet.
• 🛠️ Installed drivers Samsung USB Drivers and a package ADB Tools.
• ⚙️ Enabled USB debugging on the tablet.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Turn on developer mode on the tablet:
   • Go to Settings → About tablet → Software information.
   • Tap the item 7 times Build numberuntil the "You are now a developer" notification appears.

adb shell
su -c "cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore/wpa_supplicant.conf"

adb shell
su -c "cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore/SoftAp/wpa_supplicant.conf"

If the command returns an error Permission denied, then file access is blocked on your tablet without root access. In this case, only rooting or a specialized app can help.

4. Method: Wi-Fi password viewer apps

If the previous methods don't work, third-party apps will come to the rescue. Most of them require root rights, but some can extract passwords without them (for example, through Android backups). Let's look at the top 3 proven utilities:

Example of working with WiFi Password Viewer:

1. Install the app from Play Market.
2. Open it and grant root access (if required).
3. In the list of networks, find the one you need and tap on it - the password will be displayed in the field Password.
4. Copy or export data if necessary.

⚠️ Attention: Applications without root rights (for example, WiFi Key Recovery) often show passwords only for networks to which the tablet was connected until the last resetIf the network was added recently, this method may not work.

Method 5: Resetting the router (extreme case)

If none of the methods helped, and you have physical access to the router, you can reset it to factory settings and set a new password. This is a radical method, but it's guaranteed to work. Keep in mind that after resetting:

• 🔄 All connected devices will be disconnected.
• ⚙️ Port settings, parental controls, and guest network settings will be reset.
• 📡 You'll have to reconfigure your connection to your internet provider (if the data isn't saved on the router's sticker).

How to reset a router:

1. Find the button on the back of the router. Reset (usually recessed into the body).
2. Take a paper clip or a toothpick and press and hold the button 10-15 secondsuntil the indicators flash.
3. Connect to the router's network via Wi-Fi (the network name and password will be standard, for example, TP-Link_1234 And admin).
4. Go to the router's web interface (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and set a new password in the section Wi-Fi or Wireless network.

On most routers, the standard login and password for entering the settings is admin/admin or admin/password (indicated on the device sticker). If you changed them and forgot, resetting is the only way out.

Security: What Not to Do When Retrieving a Password

Trying to find out the Wi-Fi password can easily compromise the security of the network or the tablet itself. Here 3 critical errors, which should be avoided:

• 🚫 Transferring passwords over unsecured channels (messengers, unencrypted email). If the network is used for banking services, the password may have been compromised.
• 🚫 Install applications from untrusted sources (outside the Play Market). Many "Wi-Fi hackers" contain malicious code.
• 🚫 Use public networks to test methodsIn hotels, airports, and cafes, password extraction may violate user agreements and even local laws.

If you are connected to corporate network, an attempt to extract a password may be recorded by the administrator as a security breach. In such cases, it's best to contact your IT department for assistance.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions