It's quite common for smartphone owners to need to connect a new device to the network but forget the password. Huawei And Honor People often wonder where this data is stored, especially if the phone has been connected to the router for a long time. Fortunately, modern versions of the operating system Android and shells EMUI provide built-in tools to solve this problem without the need for hacking.
Previously, viewing saved keys required superuser rights or access to the router settings. Now a QR code scanner or a second device is sufficientto instantly access the information you need. This was made possible by the implementation of fast connection standards within the Google ecosystem and adaptations from manufacturers.
In this article, we'll look at current methods for obtaining passwords on various firmware versions. We'll cover standard methods that don't require installing third-party software, and we'll also discuss the nuances of working with networks in different environments. It's important to understand that the menu interface may vary slightly depending on your device model.
Using the QR code feature in Settings
The easiest and most secure way to find your passcode is to use the built-in QR code generator. This feature was introduced in Android 10 and has become standard for all subsequent versions, including Android 11, 12, and 13On devices Huawei with shell EMUI or Magic UI The algorithm of actions is simplified as much as possible for the user.
First, you need to go to the wireless settings menu. This displays a list of available networks, as well as the currently active connection. It's through this interface that the system allows you to generate a pattern for sharing.
- 📱 Open
Settingsand go to the sectionWi-Fi. - 🔗 Tap on the name of the network you are currently connected to (or the gear icon next to it).
- 📸 In the window that opens, find the button
Shareor a QR code icon. - 🔓 Complete biometric authentication (Face ID or fingerprint) or enter your screen unlock PIN.
After successful identification, a QR code will appear on the screen. Below it, the password itself is usually written in small text. If the text is too small or illegible, you can simply point another phone's camera at the code.
⚠️ Attention: The option to display the password as text under the QR code is not available on all firmware versions. In some cases, the system will only display a graphic code, requiring a third-party scanner app to decode it.
Viewing through the standard Camera application
If the text version of the password isn't displayed under the QR code in the settings, you can use a second device to scan it. Almost every modern smartphone has a built-in decoder app. Camera or in a system scanner. This allows you to quickly read encrypted data without installing additional software.
The decryption process is instant. You don't need to search for special apps in the store, as the functionality is already integrated into the system. This is especially convenient when you need to quickly connect a guest or a new device.
The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- Take a screenshot of the screen with the QR code on your Huawei or simply hold the phone in front of the second device's camera.
- Launch the application
Cameraon the second smartphone. - Point the lens at the QR code until a pop-up notification appears.
- The notification often displays a line like this:
WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:12345678;;.
In this line the characters after P: and before ;; are the password you're looking for. Please note that letter case is important. If the password contains capital letters, they must be entered in that form.
Methods for older versions of Android and EMUI
Owners of devices that have not been updated to Android 10 or higher (for example, models with EMUI 8 or 9), face security restrictions. In these OS versions, file access wpa_supplicant.conf, where all keys are stored, is closed to regular applications. Direct viewing through settings is not possible.
However, there are workarounds that do not require obtaining a license. RootOne way is to use the system settings backup feature. When creating a Wi-Fi settings backup, some file managers allow you to view the archive contents or export the data to a text file.
You can also try the following method if you have access to a computer:
- 💻 Connect your phone to your PC in file transfer mode.
- 📂 Locate your backup folder (often in the root or in
/backup/). - 🔍 Search for files with the extension
.binor archives created at the time of saving network settings. - 📝 Use a text editor to search for lines containing your network's SSID.
It's worth noting that this method is unstable and depends on the specific firmware version. In most cases, on older Android devices, it's easiest to access the router settings through a browser, as the phone is already connected to the network and has access to the gateway.
⚠️ Attention: Attempts to install apps for hacking or viewing passwords on older versions of Android often result in the device being infected with adware. Be careful with sources of APK files.
Why can't I just view the password on older Android devices?
Prior to version 10, the Android security system did not provide an API for apps to read stored passwords in cleartext. This was done to protect user data in case of device theft or malware installation. Only a system process with superuser privileges had access to the keystore.
Logging into the router's web interface via phone
A universal method that works on any phone Huawei, regardless of your Android version, is the gateway to the router control panel. Since your phone is already connected to Wi-Fi, it has direct access to the local network and can open the router settings. Here, you can not only find out but also change the password.
To do this, you'll need the default gateway address. It's usually found on a sticker on the bottom of the router, but you can also find it in your phone settings. This is the most professional approach to solving the problem.
Instructions for entering the control panel:
| Parameter | Meaning / Action | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Gateway address | 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 | May vary (see sticker) |
| Login | admin | Standard for most models |
| Password | admin / 1234 | Or indicated on the router sticker |
| Menu section | Wireless / WLAN Security | Wireless network settings |
After entering the address in your browser (Chrome, Yandex Browser) and authorization, go to the wireless network section. There, in the field WPA Pre-Shared Key or Wireless network password The current key will be displayed. You can copy it or change it to a more complex one.
☑️ Checking access to the router
Using recovery apps
There is a category of apps that claim to show saved passwords. However, as mentioned earlier, on Android 10+ they only work as QR code generators using the system API. On older versions without Root rights they are useless.
If your device has an unlocked bootloader and superuser rights, then utilities such as WiFi Password Viewer, gain full access to the system configuration file. They read the file /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf and display a list of all networks ever connected.
Benefits of using specialized utilities with Root:
- 🚀 Instant access to your entire connection history.
- 📋 Ability to export a list of networks to a text file.
- 🛡️ Check the strength of saved passwords.
- ⚙️ Network priority management.
Obtaining Root Rights on Modern Devices Huawei This is difficult because the company has stopped issuing bootloader unlock codes. Therefore, this method is primarily relevant for older models or devices from other brands with custom firmware installed.
⚠️ Attention: Rooting your device automatically voids your warranty. Furthermore, highly secure banking apps and services (Google Pay, Huawei Pay) will stop working unless you use special rooting software.
Restoring access by resetting the router
If none of the software methods help, or you've forgotten your router admin password, the last resort is a full reset of the router. This will restore the device to its factory settings, including the network name and password found on the sticker.
It's important to understand that after this procedure, all devices in your home will lose their Wi-Fi connection, and you'll have to reconnect them. You'll also need to reconfigure your ISP connection type (PPPoE, L2TP, etc.) if this information isn't saved automatically.
Reset procedure:
1. Find the Reset button on the router body (often recessed).2. Press and hold it for 10-15 seconds (until all indicators flash).
3. Wait for the device to reboot.
4. Connect to the network with the factory name (indicated on the sticker).
5. Go to settings and set a new password.
This method guarantees network access, but it requires time to reconfigure your entire home infrastructure. Use it only if other options have been exhausted.
What to do if resetting doesn't help?
If the router still doesn't allow internet access after a reset, your ISP may be using MAC address binding. In this case, you'll need to either clone the old router/PC's MAC address in the new one's settings or call your ISP's technical support to reset the binding on their end.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to find out my neighbor's Wi-Fi password if it was once entered on my Huawei?
No, if you haven't connected to its network before, the password won't be saved. If you have connected, use the QR code method in the Wi-Fi settings, as described in the first section of this article. The system doesn't store passwords for networks the phone hasn't connected to.
Where is the password file physically stored on Android?
Passwords are stored in the system partition at the path /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.confOnly processes with root privileges have access to this directory. Regular applications and the user cannot open this folder without special system modifications.
Why did saved networks disappear on my Huawei after a firmware update?
During major Android updates (for example, from 9 to 10), the encryption key storage structure may change. For security reasons, the system may require re-entering passwords for all networks, as old encryption keys become invalid for the new OS version.
Is it safe to use WiFi Password Hacker apps?
We strongly advise against this. Most such apps either don't work, claiming to be "hacked" (which is technically impossible to do in seconds), or contain malicious code that steals your personal data, social media, and banking passwords.
How can I view my password if my phone screen is broken and the touchscreen isn't working?
If the display works but the touchscreen doesn't, connect a USB mouse via an OTG adapter. If the screen doesn't work either, but the phone is on and unlocked, you can try streaming the screen to a PC using a program. scrcpy (requires USB debugging to be enabled) to use your computer's mouse to click the "Share" button in the Wi-Fi settings.