Owning a smartphone of the series Honor or Huawei Users often face the need to share network access with guests or new devices. The situation of having to enter an access key but forgetting it is a classic problem in the world of mobile technology. Fortunately, the operating system Android in conjunction with the shell EMUI provides sufficiently flexible tools to solve this problem without third-party software.
Modern methods of recovering lost data rely on generation mechanisms QR codes, which are built right into the network settings interface. This is the safest and fastest method, requiring no root privileges or computer connection. However, there are also more advanced technical methods that may be useful in specific cases.
In this article, we will examine in detail the action algorithms for the model. Honor 10, based on the latest firmware versions. We'll review the system's built-in tools and also touch on advanced diagnostic methods for experienced users who want full control over their network settings.
The standard method is through QR code generation
The easiest and most accessible way to view a saved password is to use the built-in QR code generator. This option was added to the shell. EMUI several years ago and has become the standard for convenient access sharing. You won't need to install any additional apps from the store. Google Play or AppGallery.
To begin the process, go to the device's settings menu. Find the section for wireless connections and select the desired network. This is where the key lies: it's in this menu that you can visualize the access key as a graphic code.
Once activated, an image will appear on the screen that can be scanned with another device. If you don't have a second phone handy, you can use any QR code scanner app or even the built-in image analyzer in your gallery to read the text hidden within the image.
- 📱 Open
Settingsand go to the sectionWi-Fi. - 🔍 Click on the name of the network you are currently connected to.
- 📷 Tap the "Show QR code" button or the eye icon.
- 🔑 Take a screenshot or scan the code with another device to view the text.
It's worth noting that in some firmware versions, the password text may be hidden by asterisks even when tapping the QR code. In this case, the password text is often written in small print under the image itself or is displayed after re-verifying your identity by entering the screen unlock PIN.
⚠️ Attention: The function of displaying the password as text under the QR code appeared in newer versions Android 10/11 And EMUI 10/11Older firmware versions may only display the code itself without any text explanation.
Using the Developer Options and USB Debugging
If standard methods do not produce results or the interface does not work correctly, you can turn to deeper system settings. Mode USB debugging Allows the computer to interact with the phone at the command line level. This is a powerful tool that requires caution, but it allows access to system logs and configuration files.
To activate this mode, you must first enable the "Developer options" menu. Tap the build number seven times in quick succession in the "About phone" section. After doing so, a new option will appear in the main settings menu where you need to enable the "USB debugging" toggle switch.
By connecting your smartphone to your computer via a cable, you can use utilities like ADB (Android Debug Bridge)With their help, you can download the configuration file. wpa_supplicant.conf, which stores all passwords ever entered in cleartext. This method is for advanced users familiar with the command line.
- 💻 Install drivers Huawei HiSuite or universal ADB drivers on PC.
- ⚙️ Enable USB debugging in the developer menu on your Honor 10.
- 🔌 Connect your phone with a cable and confirm debugging permission on your smartphone's screen.
- 📂 Use the command
adb pull /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf(root rights required).
It is important to understand that without rights root direct access to the system folder /data/misc/wifi/ will be blocked by Android security policy. However, the very fact of connecting via ADB can allow you to create a full backup of your settings, which can then be analyzed for the required strings.
Where can I find the build number?
To activate the developer options, go to Settings → System → About phone. Find the "Build number" line and quickly tap it seven times in a row. A notification will appear informing you that you've become a developer.
Analysis of system files without root rights
Obtaining superuser rights (root) on modern devices Honor And Huawei This has become an extremely difficult procedure due to the bootloader being disabled. Therefore, most users are forced to seek workarounds to view saved data without accessing the system partition.
One such method is to use backup functions. After creating a complete copy of the system settings on your computer or cloud storage, you can try to find the text configuration files in the archive. Although the passwords themselves may be hashed, in some cases they are stored in readable form within the XML backup files.
There are also specialized file managers with access to system partitions that bypass standard restrictions, but their effectiveness depends on the specific version of the Android security patch. Honor 10 With recent updates, such loopholes are often closed.
| Access method | Root is required | Complexity | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| QR code in settings | No | Low | High (for new versions) |
| ADB without root | No | Average | Low (backup only) |
| File manager | Yes | High | Maximum |
| Screenshot of the QR code | No | Low | Medium (decoder required) |
Don't trust apps from the store that promise to reveal your password "in one click" without access rights. At best, they simply duplicate the functionality of a QR code, and at worst, they may contain malicious code that steals your personal data.
Working with the wpa_supplicant.conf file
File wpa_supplicant.conf is the holy grail for Android system administrators. It's where the operating system stores a list of all known networks and their corresponding access keys. On devices with open file system access, this file is located at /data/misc/wifi/.
To edit or view this file on a device without a computer, you will need special editor applications with root access support, for example, Root Explorer or MT ManagerAfter opening the file, you will see text blocks where the field psk contains the password you are looking for.
network={ssid="MyHomeWiFi"
psk="SuperSecretPassword123"
key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
priority=1
}
However, as already mentioned, Honor 10 Without an unlocked bootloader, accessing this directory using standard means is virtually impossible. Attempts to exploit system vulnerabilities to gain access may brick the device or void the warranty.
⚠️ Attention: Any manipulation of system files requires superuser privileges. Careless editing of configuration files may result in the Wi-Fi module not functioning properly or the smartphone experiencing a reboot loop.
Third-party applications and their limitations
In the store Google Play You can find hundreds of apps that promise to recover forgotten passwords. Most of them, such as WiFi Password Viewer or WiFi Key Recovery, work on the same principle: they try to read the system configuration file.
No rights root The functionality of such programs is severely limited. They can show you a QR code for the same network you're connected to or offer to share access, but they won't let you see the network's text password if it's hidden by the system.
Some apps use social engineering techniques or shared password databases, which are ineffective and insecure. Only those utilities that can correctly work with the Android API to generate access codes are truly valuable.
- 📲 WiFi Map: Uses the user database rather than the phone's system files.
- 🔓 Instabridge: Likewise, it relies on the community rather than Android security hacks.
- 👁️ QR Code Reader: Helps read passwords from another phone's screen or from a printout.
Using unknown apps that require extensive permissions carries the risk of data leakage. It's better to use the built-in functionality once. EMUI, than installing questionable software.
What to do if nothing helps
If none of the software methods work, physical access to the router remains. If you have access to the internet sharing device, look at the sticker on its body. Factory passwords are often listed there under the name WPA Key or Wireless Password.
You can also connect your computer to the router using a LAN cable and access the web settings interface. The login address is usually written on the same sticker (e.g., 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1). In the wireless network section (Wireless Settings) you can not only view, but also change the password to something more memorable.
The last resort is to reset the router to factory settings. To do this, press and hold the button Reset Press the key on the device for about 10-15 seconds. After this, the router will revert to the factory password indicated on the sticker, but all your personal settings will be lost.
☑️ Actions during a hard reset
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to find the Wi-Fi password on an Honor 10 without root access?
Yes, this is possible using the QR code generator feature in the Wi-Fi settings. Once the code is generated, it can be scanned with another device or a scanner app, which will display a text string containing the password. Direct reading of system files is not possible without root access.
Where is the password file located on Android?
The file is called wpa_supplicant.conf and is located along the way /data/misc/wifi/Access to this directory is restricted for regular users and applications without superuser (root) rights for system security purposes.
Why doesn't the app show the password, even though it says it exists?
Most likely, the app is displaying asterisks instead of characters or requires root access, which hasn't been granted. On modern versions of Android (starting with 10), security policies prevent displaying passwords in plain text without special confirmation or administrator rights.
Are password recovery programs safe to use?
Using trusted apps from official stores is relatively safe if they don't require unnecessary permissions. However, apps that require root access or certificate installation may pose a risk of data theft. It's better to use the system's built-in tools.
⚠️ Attention: The menu interface and function layout may vary slightly depending on the firmware version. EMUI and the year the security update was released. If you don't see the feature described, check for system updates.