It's a common occurrence for smartphone owners to have friends over or need to connect a new gadget but forget the password to your wireless network. Xiaomi And Redmi often find themselves confused, as the standard interface is not always obvious to the average user. Fortunately, modern versions of the operating system Android and branded shell MIUI allow you to solve this problem without installing third-party programs or complex manipulations.
In most cases, it is enough to simply look into the settings of the connected network to see the coveted code or get QR code for quick authorization of other devices. However, there are some nuances depending on the Android version and model of your device. In this article, we'll cover all current access recovery methods, from standard system tools to advanced methods for experienced users who need full control over network settings.
Don't panic if you don't see your password immediately after entering the menu. Interface Xiaomi Some options may be hidden depending on the firmware region. Below, we'll detail a step-by-step guide guaranteed to help you recover lost local network login information.
The standard method is via QR code in MIUI
The simplest and most accessible method that works on the vast majority of modern smartphones Xiaomi And Redmi under control MIUI 10 and above is using the "Share" function. This method does not require root rights and is safe for your device's warranty. You just need to follow a few steps in the settings menu.
Go to the section Settings your smartphone, then select the item Wi-FiMake sure the wireless module is activated and your phone is connected to the network whose password you want to find out. Click on the active network name or the arrow next to it to open the detailed connection menu.
In the window that opens, you will see a large QR code, which is designed for quick connection of other devices. Under this code or directly on it (depending on the version) MIUI) the text password is often displayed. If the text is hidden by dots, simply take a screenshot or click the "Share" button to send the code to yourself in a messenger—the password often becomes legible when you open the image.
⚠️ Note: On some global firmware versions, for security reasons, the password may not be displayed as text under the QR code. In this case, the code itself remains the working connection tool.
To extract the password from the code image, you can use any third-party QR code scanner or the Google Lens feature built into your camera. Point the camera at the saved screenshot, and the system will recognize the connection string, where after the prefix P: The security key you are looking for will be indicated.
View saved networks in System Preferences
In newer versions of the operating system Android (starting with version 10) and shells MIUI 12/13/14 You can now view a list of all previously connected networks. This is especially convenient if you're not currently connected to the desired Wi-Fi network but have previously connected to it from this phone.
To use this feature, open Settings and go to the section Wi-FiFind the button or link labeled "Saved Networks" (sometimes it's in the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner). This will display a list of all available networks your phone has connected to in the past.
Select the network you're interested in from the list. The system may ask for identification: enter PIN code, fingerprint unlocking or face recognition Face IDThis is a standard data security measure that prevents unauthorized access to your network keys.
- 🔑 After successful authentication, you will see network details, including the encryption type and cleartext password.
- 📱 On some models Redmi You need to click on the "eye" icon next to the password field to make the hidden characters readable.
- 🔄 If the password isn't displayed, try clicking the "Share" button in the same menu—sometimes the key text is duplicated at the bottom of the QR code generation screen.
It's important to understand that if you've reset your network settings or deleted a connection profile previously, it won't be in the list of saved profiles. In this case, this method won't help, and you'll have to look for other solutions.
☑️ Check access to saved networks
Using the Developer Options and USB Debugging
For users who are not afraid of technical terms and want to access the hidden functions of the system, there is a method using ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method allows you to download the Wi-Fi configuration file, which stores all passwords in plaintext, but it requires a connection to a computer.
First you need to enable developer mode on your XiaomiTo do this, go to Settings → About the phone and quickly click 7 times on the item MIUI versionAfter the "You are now a developer" notification appears, return to the main settings menu and find the section Additionally → For developers.
In the developer menu, turn on the toggle switch USB debuggingConnect your smartphone to a computer with the required drivers and ADB utility installed. You can use the command line on your PC to back up your Wi-Fi settings; however, on modern versions of Android, this method often requires root access to read system files.
adb pull /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf
If you don't have root access, the command may return an access error. In this case, this method is useless without first unlocking the bootloader and gaining superuser access, which is a complex and risky procedure for the average user.
⚠️ Note: The developer menu interface may differ depending on the MIUI version. Be careful when changing unknown settings to avoid disrupting the system's stability.
What is wpa_supplicant.conf?
This is a system file in Linux and Android that stores wireless network configurations. It contains network SSIDs and their corresponding passwords in hashed or cleartext format, depending on the OS version and access rights.
Specifics of different versions of Android and MIUI
Users often encounter problems where online instructions don't match their screen. This is due to the vast number of shell modifications. MIUI and versions of the base system AndroidFor example, on Android 9 and below, viewing passwords using standard tools was impossible without root rights.
Owners of devices based on Android 10 and newer ones have a native viewing function, but its implementation in MIUI 11, MIUI 12 And MIUI 13 The password may differ visually. In some cases, the password is written under the QR code, while in others, you need to look for it in a pop-up window after clicking the "Share" button.
Below is a table to help you navigate the capabilities of your system version:
| Android version | MIUI version | Is it possible to view the password? | Method of obtaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android 9 and below | MIUI 10 and below | No (without Root) | Only via root file manager |
| Android 10 | MIUI 11 / 12 | Yes (partially) | QR code + scanner |
| Android 11 | MIUI 12.5 / 13 | Yes | Direct text under the QR or in the menu |
| Android 12/13/14 | MIUI 13 / 14 / HyperOS | Yes | Saved Networks Menu + Biometrics |
If you have an older device that doesn't receive updates, the only safe option is to access your router settings through a browser, which we'll discuss below. Don't try installing dubious apps from the Play Market that promise to "hack" your Wi-Fi—these are often just ad aggregators.
Logging into the router control panel from your phone
A universal method that works on any smartphone Xiaomi Regardless of your Android version, this is the login page for your router's web interface. If you're already connected to Wi-Fi (even without internet), your phone has access to the local network and can open the router's settings page.
Open your browser (Chrome, Mi Browser) and enter the router's IP address in the address bar. Most often, this is 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1The exact address is often written on a sticker on the bottom of the router itself, along with the username and password for accessing the control panel.
After entering your administrator credentials (often admin/admin by default), find the section Wireless or Wireless modeThere in the field Wireless Password or WiFi password You will be able to not only view the current key, but also change it to a more complex and memorable one.
- 🌐 The login address may differ if your provider has changed the default settings of your equipment.
- 🔐 If you changed the router administrator password and forgot it, you will have to reset it using the reset button Reset on the device body.
- 📡 Some providers use special configuration apps that can also display current network parameters.
This method is the most reliable, as the information is retrieved directly from the signal source, not from the phone's cache. It also allows you to check who else is connected to your network and, if necessary, block intruders.
⚠️ Please note: Resetting your router to factory settings will delete all settings, including your ISP login and password for internet access. Make sure you have your ISP login information before pressing the reset button.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to find out a Wi-Fi password if the phone has never connected to this network?
No, this can't be done using Android's built-in tools. Your phone only stores data about networks it's successfully connected to in the past. To connect to a new network, you need to know the password in advance or use WPS (if supported and enabled by your router).
Is it safe to use apps to hack or view passwords from the Play Market?
Most of these apps are either useless (they simply display data already stored on the system, which can be done without them) or contain malicious code. Apps that require root access to view system files wpa_supplicant.conf, can be dangerous if you don't trust the developer. It's better to use MIUI's built-in features.
What if the QR code cannot be scanned by any device?
Try increasing your smartphone's screen brightness to maximum. Make sure there's no screen protector causing glare or cracks. You can also take a screenshot, open it in your gallery, and use Google Lens to analyze the image—this often works better than scanning it directly with the camera.
Where is the password file located on a non-rooted Android?
On modern versions of Android (6.0 and above), access to the system file /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf It's closed even to most system apps. Without superuser (root) privileges, it's impossible to read this file directly through a file manager. That's why Google implemented a QR code viewing mechanism in Settings.
Why is there no share button in Wi-Fi settings on my Redmi?
This may depend on the MIUI version or regional firmware. Try updating to the latest available version. If the button is missing, use the alternative method of accessing the router's web interface through a browser, which works the same on all devices.