How to Find Your Xiaomi Wi-Fi Password: A Complete Guide

Needing to connect a new device to your home network but forgetting the Wi-Fi password is a common situation. Xiaomi smartphone owners often wonder how to quickly access saved network data without having to reset the router. Fortunately, the operating system MIUI provides built-in mechanisms for viewing security keys, which makes life much easier for the user.

Unlike older versions of Android, modern shells allow you to share access or view it in plain text. You don't need to be a network expert to perform this procedure. All you need is physical access to a phone that's already authorized to the desired network.

In this article, we'll cover all the current methods: from standard interface settings to using the command line and third-party software. We'll cover the nuances for different firmware versions, including MIUI 12, 13, and 14, and we will also discuss security issues when transmitting data.

The standard method is via QR code in the settings

The easiest and safest method, which doesn't require installing additional software, is found in the standard wireless connections menu. Starting with Android 10, the system generates a special QR code for quickly connecting devices. On devices Xiaomi And Redmi This functionality is often supplemented by the ability to view the access code itself in text form.

To get started, you need to go to the section Settings and select the item Wi-FiA list of available networks will be displayed, with the current connection marked with an icon or highlighted in color. Click the name of the active network or the arrow to the right of it to expand its options.

A window with connection information will appear on the screen. At the bottom or in the center, there is often a "Share" button or a QR code icon. After clicking, the system may request identity verification via a fingerprint scanner, pattern lock, or Face IDThis is a standard security measure. biometric data and confidential information.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware versions MIUI (especially on Chinese builds or older updates), the password may not be displayed as text under the QR code, but rather hidden by asterisks. In this case, the text under the code will be missing.

If the text under the image doesn't appear automatically, try taking a screenshot of the screen containing the QR code. Then open this screenshot using the standard Gallery app or any QR scanner built into the camera. The system will recognize the image and display a data string with the following prefix: P: the searched key will be indicated.

Using Google Password Manager

Ecosystem Google offers a centralized password vault that syncs across all devices linked to a single account. This is one of the most reliable ways to find lost data, as the information is stored in the cloud and is independent of any specific phone model or version. MIUI.

To use this method, open the standard Settings your smartphone. Find the section in the list Google and go to the menu Autofill. Next, select the item Google Autocomplete and click on the button Google Password ManagerThis is where all your saved credentials are stored.

Find your wireless network name (SSID) in the list of saved entries. You can sort the list or search by name. After selecting the desired entry, the system will prompt you to confirm your identity again. Only after successful authentication will the login and password card open.

• 🔒 Data is encrypted and transmitted over a secure communication channel.
• 🔄 Synchronization occurs automatically when there is an internet connection.
• 📱 Passwords can be accessed from any device using the Chrome browser.
• 🛡️ Protection from malware thanks to Google Play Protect.

It's important to note that for this method to work, the password saving feature must have been enabled previously. If you previously disabled syncing or used incognito mode when connecting, your data may not have been saved to the cloud.

📊 Where do you usually store your Wi-Fi passwords?

In my head (I remember one)

Recorded on the router

In Google Password Manager

In notes on the phone

Nowhere, I always reset the router

Browsing through the file system (requires Root)

For users with superuser rights (Root rights), there is direct access to system configuration files. Operating system Android stores data on all ever-connected networks in a special XML file. This method is the most universal, but requires administrator rights obtained through Magisk or SuperSU.

The file containing the information you are looking for is usually located at the path /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml (on newer versions of Android) or /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf (on older versions before Android 10). To view the contents, you will need a file manager with root support, for example, Root Explorer or MT Manager.

When you open the file, you'll see structured text. You need to find the tag <SSID> with the name of your network. There will be a tag next to it. <PreSharedKey>, which will contain the password in clear text. Be extremely careful when editing this file, as a syntax error can result in an inability to connect to Wi-Fi.

<Network>
<SSID>"MyHomeNetwork"</SSID>
<PreSharedKey>"complex_password_123"</PreSharedKey>
<KeyMgmt>WPA2PSK</KeyMgmt>
</Network>

⚠️ Please note: Rooting your device automatically voids your warranty at most service centers. It also increases your system's vulnerability to viruses and malware.

If you're not experienced with system files, it's best to avoid this method. Incorrectly editing configuration files can result in the Wi-Fi module rebooting in a loop or the loss of all saved networks.

What to do if the file is empty or unreadable?

The file may be empty if you've just rooted and haven't connected to any networks since, or if the system is using a new KeyStore. In some cases, the file may be locked by a process; try rebooting your phone into Safe Mode.

Using ADB to restore access

Debugging method by ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a middle ground between the default settings and root access. It allows you to run commands from your computer while still having access to certain system functions. However, on modern versions MIUI And Android 11+ Access to the password vault via ADB without root rights is often blocked.

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

On the computer, in the command line (Terminal or CMD) enter the command to check the connection:

adb devices

If the device is detected, you can try requesting a backup of the Wi-Fi settings. The command might look like this, but its effectiveness depends on the access rights granted by the manufacturer:

adb backup -f wifi.ab -noapk com.android.providers.settings

The resulting file wifi.ab You can try converting to XML or TAR format using specialized utilities on a PC to extract the text data. However, it's important to note that on devices with data encryption, this method often returns an empty result or an access error.

Method	Root is required	Need a PC	Complexity	Performance on MIUI 14
QR code in settings	No	No	Low	High
Google Manager	No	No	Low	Average
wpa_supplicant file	Yes	No	High	High
ADB Backup	No (often)	Yes	Average	Low

Third-party applications and their limitations

In the store Google Play You can find many apps that promise to reveal Wi-Fi passwords "in one click." However, it's important to understand how the operating system works. AndroidStarting with version 4.4 (KitKat) and especially in versions 10, 11, 12 and higher, application access to files containing passwords is strictly limited.

Apps without root access cannot read the system configuration file. Therefore, most of these programs either reveal passwords already known to the system (if they have been saved to the cloud), require root access, or are simply advertising traps. Popular apps like WiFi Password Viewer work only on rooted devices.

Using unknown software to access network settings carries certain risks. Malware may attempt to intercept traffic or steal other stored data. Always check the permissions an app requests during installation.

• 🚫 Without root access, apps only see the SSID, but not the encryption keys.
• ⚠️ Many "hackers" contain hidden advertising and miners.
• 🔍 Apps can be useful for network security analysis (WPS), but not for cracking.
• 📲 Official router clients (TP-Link, Keenetic) can display the password if the router is linked to an account.

What to do if none of the methods helped

If standard methods don't work and you don't want to establish root privileges, physical access to the router remains. If you have access to the internet sharing device, look at the sticker on its body. The default login and password are often listed there, unless they have been changed previously.

You can also try connecting to the router via the web interface. To do this, enter the gateway address in the browser of any device connected to the network (even if the internet is down). This is usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1If you know the password for the router's admin panel, then in the wireless network section (Wireless) you will be able to view or change the security key.

In extreme cases, if the password is completely lost and access to the router settings is impossible, you will have to reset the device to factory settings. There is a button on the router for this purpose. Reset, which you need to press and hold for 10-15 seconds. After this, the device will return to the factory settings indicated on the sticker.

⚠️ Note: Resetting your router will erase all customized settings, including the PPPoE connection type (username/password provided by your ISP), network name, and IPTV settings. Only perform this procedure if you are confident you can reconfigure your internet connection.

Router interfaces from different manufacturers (Asus, TP-Link, Zyxel, Xiaomi) may differ, but the access recovery logic remains the same. Always write down new passwords in a safe place immediately after changing settings.

☑️ Checklist before resetting your router

Find your ISP contract (PPPoE login/password)Find out the connection type (Dynamic IP/Static)Write down the MAC address if you need to bind it.Prepare a new Wi-Fi password

Completed: 0 / 4

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to find out a neighbor's Wi-Fi password using Xiaomi?

No, there's no legal way to find out someone else's network password. The "Share Wi-Fi" feature only works if you're already connected to the network or if your neighbor scans your QR code. Hacking other people's networks is prohibited by law.

Where is the password file located on a Xiaomi without root?

Without superuser rights, access to the system file /data/misc/wifi/ Closed. You can only see the QR code in the interface, but not the configuration text file itself.

Why did saved networks disappear after updating MIUI?

Major system updates or network settings resets may clear the list of saved connections. If you enabled sync with your Google account, your networks may be restored automatically after signing in.

Are password revealing apps safe to use?

It's safe to use only verified apps from the official store that run locally. However, most of them require root access. Apps that promise "jailbreaking" often contain viruses.