How to find out the Wi-Fi password on an Android tablet without software: all the working methods

Forgot your home Wi-Fi password, but your tablet is connected to the network? This situation is familiar to many: someone else set up the router, the password sticker has long since worn off, and you need to access the network from a new device. Luckily, Android There are several ways to retrieve a saved password. without installing additional programs - directly through system tools.

In this article we will analyze 5 proven methods, which work on most tablets running Android 8.0 Oreo and newer (including Samsung Galaxy Tab, Huawei MediaPad, Xiaomi Pad and others). All methods do not require root rights, but some may require a computer connection or knowledge of basic commands. If you're unsure of your skills, start with the simplest options.

⚠️ Important: Extracting passwords from devices you don't have access to (such as someone else's tablet or a public network) may violate privacy laws. Use these methods only for their networks.

1. View your password through Android settings (the easiest way)

Starting from Android 10Google has added the ability to view passwords for saved Wi-Fi networks directly in the system settings. This method the fastest and safest, but it doesn't work on all devices (for example, manufacturers like Xiaomi or Samsung sometimes this option is hidden).

To find out the password:

1. Open Settings on the tablet.
2. Go to the section Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
3. Find your network in the list and tap on its name.
4. Click Share (or Share (on English firmware).
5. The system will ask for confirmation. PIN code, pattern or fingerprint.
6. After confirmation, a QR code will open with a text password underneath.

⚠️ Attention: If option Share is missing, it means the manufacturer has disabled it in its shell (for example, in MIUI or One UI). In this case, try other methods.

2. Using a file manager (for Android 9 and below)

On devices with Android 9 Pie and older, Wi-Fi passwords are stored in a system file wpa_supplicant.conf. It can be accessed through the standard file manager, but you will need to enable displaying hidden files.

Instructions:

1. Install any file manager (for example, Files by Google or Solid Explorer).
2. Open the manager and go to the following path:

   /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore/

   Or (on some firmware versions):

   /data/misc/wifi/

3. Find the file wpa_supplicant.conf and open it with a text editor.
4. Inside there will be lines like this:

   network={
   ssid="Network_Name"
   psk="wifi_password"
   }

⚠️ Attention: On newer versions of Android (10+), access to this file is often blocked without root rights. If the folder /data/ does not open - proceed to the next method.

Install a file manager with root access

Enable display of hidden files

Download a text editor (e.g. QuickEdit)

Check your Android version (this method may not work on Android 10+) -->

3. Extracting the password via ADB (for advanced users)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) — is a tool for debugging Android devices via a computer. It can be used to extract a Wi-Fi password, even if other methods fail. The method requires USB cables and included USB debugging.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Download ADB Tools to your computer (Windows, macOS or Linux).
2. Turn on Developer mode on the tablet:
   • Go to Settings → About phone.
   • Tap the item 7 times Build number.
   • Return to Settings → System → Developer Options.
   • Activate USB debugging.

adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore/wpa_supplicant.conf

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

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (eg. Samsung or Huawei) The file path may differ. If the command doesn't work, try:

adb shell "find /data -name wpa_supplicant.conf"

4. View the password via a backup copy (if backup is enabled)

Android can automatically back up your Wi-Fi settings to your Google account. If this feature is enabled, the password can be retrieved via Google Drive or backup settings.

How to check:

1. Open Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Make sure the option is Backing up to Google Drive included.
3. Follow the link on your computer Google Drive.
4. Enter in the search backup or wifi.
5. Locate the backup file (usually in the format .ab or .bak) and download it.
6. Use the program Android Backup Extractor (free) for data extraction.

The extracted data will contain a file wifiPassword.xml or similar, where SSIDs and passwords are stored in encrypted form. To decrypt, you will need backup key, which can be obtained via ADB:

adb backup -f backup.ab -shared

⚠️ Attention: This method only works if backup has been enabled. to password loss. If this feature is disabled, data is not saved.

5. Alternative method: resetting the router (extreme case)

If none of the methods worked, and you have physical access to the router, you can reset it to factory settings and set it up again. This will delete all saved devices and passwords, but will allow you to create a new network.

How to reset a router:

1. Find the button on the back of the router. Reset (usually recessed into the body).
2. Press and hold it 10-15 seconds (until the indicators blink).
3. Connect to the router's default network (the name is usually indicated on a sticker, for example TP-Link_XXXX).
4. Open your browser and type in the address bar 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1.
5. Enter the default login and password (usually admin/admin or admin/empty).
6. Go to the section Wireless or Wi-Fi and set a new password.

⚠️ Attention: Resetting the router will disconnect it from the network. all connected devices (TVs, cameras, smart bulbs). After the reset, they will need to be configured again.

Method	Required	Works on Android	Complexity
Settings → Share	There is nothing	10+ (not all)	⭐
File manager	Any Explorer	5–9	⭐⭐
ADB	Computer, USB cable	Any	⭐⭐⭐
Backup	Google account	Any	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Resetting the router	Physical access	It doesn't depend	⭐⭐

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

When trying to find a Wi-Fi password, users often encounter common problems. Here are the most common ones and how to solve them:

• 🔹 There is no "Share" option in the Wi-Fi settings. → Check your Android version (should be 10+) or use ADB.
• 🔹 File wpa_supplicant.conf empty or missing → On newer firmware versions, passwords are stored encrypted. Try ADB.
• 🔹 ADB doesn't see the device. → Install the drivers, enable USB debugging and check the cable (it is better to use the original one).
• 🔹 The router does not reset → Hold the button Reset longer (up to 30 seconds) or check if the battery is dead (on some models).

On tablets running EMUI (Huawei) or One UI (Samsung), system files are often protected by additional permissions. In this case, extracting the password without root or ADB is nearly impossible.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to find out the Wi-Fi password without root rights?

Yes, in most cases. Methods without root:

• Settings → Share (Android 10+).
• ADB (requires computer).
• Resetting the router (if you have physical access).

Root is only needed to access encrypted system files on older versions of Android.

Why is there no password in the wpa_supplicant.conf file?

Most likely, you have:

• Android 10+ with data encryption (password stored in /data/misc/apexdata/com.android.wifi/).
• The manufacturer has changed the path (for example, Samsung it could be /data/vendor/wifi/).
• The file is empty due to network settings reset.

Try searching for the file using the ADB command find /data -name "wifi".

Will resetting the router remove the internet password (PPPoE)?

Yes, resetting will return the router to factory settings, including:

• Login/password for connecting to the provider (PPPoE, L2TP).
• Wi-Fi settings (network name, password).
• Firewall rules and port forwarding.

After the reset, you will need to re-enter your provider data (usually specified in the contract).

Is it possible to find out someone else's Wi-Fi password this way?

No, and it's illegal. All methods in the article are designed to extract passwords. only from your saved networksAccessing other people's networks without permission violates:

• Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Unauthorized access to computer information").
• Internet service provider usage policy.

If you forgot your guest network password (for example, in a cafe), ask the administrator for it.

Do these methods work on iPads or Windows tablets?
No, the instructions are for AndroidFor other OS:
• iPad (iOS): Passwords can only be viewed through Mac by using Keychains (Keychain Access).
• Windows tablets: Open Settings → Network → Wi-Fi → Manage known networks, select the network and press Properties → Show symbols.