Forgot your home Wi-Fi password, and your router sits in the attic under a layer of dust? Or do you need to connect a new device, but the sticker with the code is long gone? Honor 8 (model FRD-L09/L19/L04) This problem can be solved in 5 minutes if you know where to look. Smartphone based on Android 7.0 EMUI 5.0 stores all saved networks in encrypted form, but there are legal ways to extract the password without hacking.
In this article - 5 proven methods, from simple (via phone settings) to advanced (analyzing configuration files). We've taken into account the firmware's specific features. Honor 8: No root access by default, locked bootloader, and EMUI limitations. No "magic apps"—only official tools and safe workarounds. Important: If the network isn't saved on the phone (for example, you connected manually once), these methods won't work.
1. View the password through the phone settings (only for saved networks)
The fastest method, but it works only if the phone is already connected to the target network. In Honor 8 The password path is hidden deeper than in stock Android due to the EMUI shell. Follow these exact instructions:
- Open
Settings → Wireless & networks → Wi-Fi. - Find the required network in the list and tap on its name (not by switch!).
- In the window that opens, select
Share password(orSharein English firmware). - Confirm screen unlock (PIN, fingerprint or pattern).
- The password will be displayed as a QR code and text below it.
⚠️ Attention: If option Share password Missing — your EMUI version is outdated or the network was added manually (without saving). In this case, proceed to the next method.
Check if you are connected to the network now
Update your firmware to EMUI 9.0+ (if possible)
Reconnect to the network by selecting "Save"
Try the alternative methods below-->
This method does not require superuser rights and works on Honor 8 with any version of EMUI from 5.0 to 9.1. However, it is useless if the network is not saved in the phone's memory.
2. Using a backup copy of Wi-Fi settings
Android automatically backs up some system data, including Wi-Fi configurationsOn . Honor 8 These files are stored in a folder /data/misc/wifi/, but access to them is closed without root. However, there is a workaround through ADB (Android Debug Bridge) — a debugging tool that does not require unlocking the bootloader.
You will need:
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
- 📱 USB cable (original from Honor)
- 🛠️ Utility ADB Tools (download from the official website)
- ⚙️ USB debugging enabled on your phone
Step-by-step instructions:
- Activate developer mode on Honor 8:
- Go to
Settings → About phone → Build number. - Tap the build number 7 times until the "You are now a developer" notification appears.
- Go to
Settings → System → Developer options and turn on:
USB debuggingEnable debugging (enable on connection)- Connect your phone to your PC and confirm trust on the screen. Honor 8.
- Open the command line (or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and run:
adb backup -f wifi_backup.ab -noapk com.android.providers.settingsA request to create a backup will appear on your phone - confirm, without setting a password!
- Download the program Android Backup Extractor and extract data from
wifi_backup.ab:java -jar abe.jar unpack wifi_backup.ab wifi_backup.tar - Find the file in the archive
apps/com.android.providers.settings/db/settings.dband open it through SQLite Browser. - Go to the table
secureand find the entry withname="wifi_wpa_supplicant_conf"In the fieldvaluethere will be an encrypted configuration. - Install any file manager with root support (for example, Root Explorer).
- Follow the path:
/data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml - Find the block with the name of your network (
<string name="NetworkName">...). - The password will be in the line
<string name="PreSharedKey">....
⚠️ Attention: This method requires basic command line skills. If you've never used ADB before, skip it or follow the instructions below. method 3.
How to decrypt wifi_wpa_supplicant_conf?
The file contains encrypted data in the following format:
network={ ssid="Network_name" psk="encrypted_password" }
To decrypt, you need the key, which is stored in /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml. It can't be extracted without root, but you can try utilities like Wifi Key Recovery (requires Python 3).
3. Viewing the password via the configuration file (requires root)
If on yours Honor 8 unlocked loader and installed Magisk or another root manager, the password can be extracted directly from the system file. This method is 100% effective, but does not work on phones with a locked bootloader (most Honor 8 they were sold exactly like that).
Instructions:
Alternative way (for newer Android versions):
/data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore/WifiConfigStore.xml⚠️ Attention: Changing files in /data/misc/ may lead to loss of Wi-Fi connectionDo not edit the file manually!
Yes, on the current phone
Yes, but on an old device
No, I've never tried it.
I don't know what this is-->
4. Extracting passwords through applications (without root)
There are hundreds of apps on Google Play that promise to show Wi-Fi passwords, but 90% of them are fraud or require root. For Honor 8 Only those that work through will do ADB backups (See Method 2) or analyze the system cache. We tested three reliable options:
| Application | Root required? | Does it work on EMUI? | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi Password Viewer | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (partially) | Google Play |
| Wifi Password Recovery | ❌ No | ⚠️ Only for saved networks | Google Play |
| WiFi Key Recovery | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | GitHub |
How to use WiFi Password Viewer:
- Install the application and open it.
- Click
Start Recovery. - Select a network from the list - the password will be displayed in the field
Password.
⚠️ Attention: Unrooted apps show passwords only for networks to which the phone is currently connectedIf the network is disconnected, the data will not be displayed.
5. Alternative methods (if nothing helps)
If all the above methods don't work, there are still universal solutions that don't depend on the phone model:
- 📡 Resetting the router: Click the button
Reseton the back of the router (hold for 10-15 seconds). The password will be reset to the factory default (indicated on the sticker). - 💻 View on PC: If the computer is connected to this network, the password can be found through
Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Wireless Network → Wireless Network Properties → Security. - 📞 Contacting your provider: Call your internet provider's support and tell them MAC address of the router (indicated on the sticker). They can provide the current password.
- 🔍 Traffic analysis: Advanced method - intercepting handshake packets via Wireshark (requires a second device and skills).
For Honor 8 the most reliable option from this list is resetting the router, as it is independent of the phone's settings. However, please note that after the reset, you will have to reconfigure all network settings (including PPPoE, if used).
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
When trying to find out the Wi-Fi password on Honor 8 Users often encounter typical problems. Here's how to solve them:
- 🔄 "There is no 'Share password' option": Update your firmware to EMUI 9.0+ or use ADB method.
- 🔌 "ADB doesn't see the device": Install the drivers HiSuite and restart your PC.
- 🔒 "The WifiConfigStore.xml file is empty": The network is not saved in the system - connect to it again with the "Save" checkbox checked.
- 📱 "Phone won't connect to Wi-Fi after reset": Check if it has changed
MAC addressrouter (sometimes providers bind access to it).
If you see the message "adb: device unauthorized", it means the phone hasn't verified trust with the computer. Disconnect the cable and reboot. Honor 8 and reconnect - a window should appear asking for permission.
Why is it difficult to extract the password on Honor 8?
Huawei/Honor Actively block access to system files due to security policies. Starting with EMUI 9.0, the company removed the ability to view passwords through the default settings for manually added networks. This was done to protect users from data leaks, but it complicates the lives of those who have simply forgotten their passwords.
FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions
Is it possible to find out the password for a Wi-Fi network that my phone connected to a long time ago but is not connected now?
Yes, but only if the network is saved in the phone's memory. Use Method 2 (ADB) or method 4 (applications)If the network is not displayed in the list of saved networks, the data has been lost.
Will Magisk work on Honor 8 to root it?
Yes, but with some reservations:
- You need to unlock the bootloader first through the official website Huawei (unlock code is paid).
- EMUI 5.0-8.0 are supported, but there may be bugs with Wi-Fi after rooting.
- OTA updates will stop working.
I reset my router, but the factory password doesn't work. What should I do?
Possible reasons:
- The sticker on the router has worn off - try the standard combinations (
admin/admin,12345678). - Your provider changed your password remotely—call support.
- The router did not reset (hold Reset for 20-30 seconds).
Is it possible to find out someone else's Wi-Fi password using their Honor 8?
No, it's illegal. In Russia, hacking into other people's networks is classified as unauthorized access to computer information (Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) with a fine of up to 200,000 rubles. Use only legal methods for your networks.
After updating EMUI, all methods stopped working. Why?
Huawei Tightens its security policy with each update. In EMUI 10+, access to Wi-Fi files is completely blocked without root. Solutions:
- Roll back to EMUI 9.0 (if possible).
- Use router or PC reset to view the password.
If your Honor 8 works on EMUI 5.0–8.0, the chances of successfully extracting the password are 80–90% (provided the network is preserved). On newer firmware versions, the probability drops to 30–50%. In any case, start with the simplest method— viewing through settings — and only then move on to complex solutions.