How to Find Your Xiaomi WiFi Password: A Complete Guide for Android

It's a common situation to need to connect a new device to your home network, but you've forgotten the password and only have a smartphone that's already connected to the network. Xiaomi, Redmi And POCO often face the need to quickly retrieve saved credentials to share with guests or to set up routerFortunately, modern versions of the Android operating system provide built-in tools to accomplish this task without the need for hacking or complex programming.

However, the process of extracting the password directly depends on the version of the installed firmware. MIUI or HyperOS, as well as the level of access to the system. If on older versions of Android (below 10) Root rights, then in most cases, standard functionality is sufficient. We'll cover all current methods, from standard system tools to advanced methods. ADB and file managers with access to system partitions.

It's important to understand that data security in Android 10 and above has been significantly redesigned. The system encrypts stored passwords and prevents applications without special permissions from reading Wi-Fi configuration files. This is why older methods involving installing third-party apps from the Play Market often fail to work on new smartphones. In this article, we'll only discuss methods that are guaranteed to work on the latest Xiaomi firmware versions.

Method 1: Using a QR code in MIUI and HyperOS settings

The simplest and most secure method, available on all modern Xiaomi smartphones, is to use the QR code generation feature. This method doesn't require root access and works on Android 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14. The mechanism is simple: the system generates a graphic code containing an encrypted string of network data, which can be read by any other device or even the phone itself via image analysis.

First, you need to go to the settings menu. Open Settings, then select the section Wi-FiFind the network you're connected to in the list (it will be marked with a shield icon or a checkmark), and click the arrow to the right of its name or the settings icon. In the menu that opens, you'll see a button Share or icon QR.

After tapping, the system will ask you to verify your identity using screen unlock, fingerprint, or Face ID. This is a security measure to prevent password theft if your phone is lost. After successful authentication, a QR code will appear on the screen. Depending on the MIUI version, the password may be written in text directly below the code. If there is no text, take a screenshot.

• 📱 Open the app Google Lens (Google Lens) or any QR code scanner.
• 🖼️ Select the screenshot you took from your gallery for analysis.
• 🔍 The system will recognize the code and display a notification with the text: "Connect to the network..." and the password itself in clear text.

⚠️ Attention: If after scanning the QR code your phone prompts you to connect immediately but doesn't show the password text, try copying the connection link (if it appears in the clipboard) or use the Google Lens method, which often decodes the string automatically.

This method is preferred by most users, as it doesn't compromise the system's integrity and doesn't require installing additional software. However, if you need to find out the password for the network your phone is connected to, but you're far from the router and can't simply scan the code from another device's screen, this method still allows you to see the data on the phone itself using a screenshot.

Method 2: Retrieving a password through Google Chrome

The Google ecosystem offers password syncing across devices. If you have Google account syncing enabled on your Xiaomi smartphone, your Wi-Fi passwords can be stored in Google Password Manager's cloud storage. This is especially important if you've ever shared a password with another Android or Chrome OS device.

To check for saved data, open your browser Google Chrome on your phone. Click the three dots in the upper right corner and go to Settings. Select the item from the menu Passwords (or "Password Manager"). This displays a list of all saved credentials.

In the list of websites and apps, look for the entry corresponding to your Wi-Fi network. Networks are typically listed either by SSID (network name) or as "android-wifi:SSID." Tapping the desired entry will prompt the system to request biometric or graphical unlocking. You'll then see your username and password in a text field, which you can copy.

It's worth noting that this method doesn't work automatically for all networks. Android only saves to the cloud those networks that were used to share the password with other devices or were saved with an explicit sync request. Nevertheless, it's an excellent way to restore access to data if the visual QR code method is unavailable for some reason.

Method 3: Using file managers with root rights

For users with rights SuperUser (Root), access to system configuration files, where all passwords ever entered are stored in unencrypted (or easily decrypted) form. This method is classic and works on all Android versions, including the oldest, but requires unlocking the bootloader and installing root privileges, which may void the warranty.

If your Xiaomi is already rooted (e.g. via Magisk), you will need a file manager with root access support, such as MT Manager, Root Explorer or MiXplorerAfter installing the application, grant it superuser rights when you first launch it.

Navigating the Android file system requires precision. You'll need to navigate to the following path:

/data/misc/wifi/

In this directory you are interested in the file WifiConfigStore.xml (on newer versions of Android) or wpa_supplicant.conf (on older versions before Android 10). Open this file as text (XML or plain text).

• 📂 Find the tag <network>, corresponding to your network (search by SSID name).
• 🔑 Inside the block, look for the line <passphrase> or psk.
• 📝 The text between these tags is your Wi-Fi password.

What to do if the password is encrypted?

In some cases, especially on stock firmware, the password may be hashed. In this case, directly reading the file won't help, and specialized decryption tools or the ADB method will be required.

⚠️ Attention: Making changes to system files /data/ This may cause the Wi-Fi module to malfunction. Edit files in read-only mode if your goal is simply to find out the password.

Using this method gives you complete control over your network settings. Not only can you view passwords, but you can also, for example, transfer a configuration file from one phone to another to instantly transfer all saved networks. However, for the average user, this method may seem overly complicated compared to a QR code.

Method 4: Extracting Password via ADB (without Root)

Method of use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is the golden mean between simplicity and functionality. It allows access to system commands from a computer without rooting the phone itself, but requires a PC and USB debugging enabled. It's a professional tool, often used by developers and enthusiasts.

First, enable developer mode on your Xiaomi. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times on the item MIUI version (or HyperOS). Then in the advanced settings, enable USB debuggingConnect your phone to your computer using a cable.

On a computer with ADB installed, run the command to dump the Wi-Fi configuration. The command syntax varies depending on the Android version, but the general method for dumping the settings is as follows:

adb shell dumpsys wifi

However, on modern versions of Android (10+) there is no direct access to passwords through dumpsys is often closed. A more effective method is to try to read the configuration file if permissions allow it:

adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml

If the command is successful, the file will be saved on your computer and can be opened with Notepad to find the password, as described in the Root section. If access is denied (Permission denied), then without root access you can't get the password directly via ADB, and you'll have to rely on the QR code method.

This method is advantageous because it doesn't require any modifications to the phone's system. You use standard debugging interfaces. However, the success of this method directly depends on the security policy of the specific Xiaomi firmware version. Some custom builds allow more extensive ADB access than stock global versions.

Comparison of password recovery methods

To help you choose the right option, we've organized the methods discussed in a table. This table will help you assess the risks, prerequisites, and implementation complexity of each method.

As the table shows, the first method is the optimal solution for 95% of users. It is built into the shell. MIUI And HyperOS Specifically for user convenience. Other methods should be considered auxiliary tools for specific situations, such as when the system interface is damaged or bulk data extraction is required.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to find out a Wi-Fi password if the phone is not connected to it right now?

Yes, if you've previously connected to this network and saved it to your phone's memory. The password is stored in the system configuration file until you perform a full network reset or a factory reset of the device. You can retrieve it using the methods described above (QR code or root), even when outside the router's range.

Why don't apps like "WiFi Password Viewer" from the Play Market work?

Starting with Android 10, Google blocked third-party app access to Wi-Fi system settings files without root access. Apps that promise to reveal the password without root access either display errors or exploit vulnerabilities that are quickly patched with security updates. On Xiaomi devices, it's better to use the built-in QR code.

Is it safe to take a screenshot of a password's QR code?

From a technical security standpoint, yes, the file is stored locally. However, if you send this screenshot to the cloud or to someone else, they can easily decrypt the password. It's best to delete the screenshot after use to prevent data leakage if your gallery or account is hacked.

What should I do if the QR code is not generated or returns an error?

This could be a bug with a specific firmware version. Try restarting your phone. If that doesn't help, try using Google Chrome (syncing) or, if you have developer rights, resetting your network settings (this will delete all saved passwords, so it's only suitable if you want to reset everything and set it up again).

⚠️ Attention: The MIUI and HyperOS interfaces may differ slightly depending on the regional firmware version (Global, China, EEA). Button layouts and menu item names may vary, but the operating logic remains the same for all Xiaomi devices.