How to find out the password for a connected Wi-Fi network on Android: official and hidden methods

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you need to connect a new gadget to your home Wi-Fi, but you've long forgotten the password? Or a friend asks you to share your internet, but you can't remember the combination to your network? AndroidPasswords for saved networks are not displayed in plaintext on devices—this is a security measure. However, there are several legal ways to extract them without hacking or resetting the router.

In this article we will look at 5 working methodsHow to find out the password for a connected Wi-Fi network on smartphones Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei and other brands - from standard functions Android 10-14 to the hidden capabilities of manufacturers. Important: all instructions work without root rights and don't require installing questionable apps. However, some methods may vary depending on the firmware version and device model.

If you urgently need to connect another device and there is no access to the router, start with first method (the most universal). For phone owners Xiaomi or Huawei There are special life hacks in the relevant sections.

Method 1: View Password via Android Settings (Official Method)

Starting from Android 10Google added a feature to display passwords for saved Wi-Fi networks. However, not all manufacturers include it in their shells. This method works on "clean" Android (For example, Pixel, Nokia, Motorola) and some models Samsung With One UI 3.0+.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi.
2. Tap on the name of the current network (under the word "Connected").
3. Click the button Share (or "Share" (on English firmware).
4. The system will ask for confirmation. PIN, fingerprint or graphic key.
5. After confirmation it will appear QR code and a text password underneath it.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example, MIUI or EMUI) The "Share" button may be missing. In this case, proceed to the next methods.

Method 2: Using QR Code to Retrieve Password

If in your settings Android There is no direct display of the password, but there is a generation function QR code To connect other devices, you can bypass this limitation. This method works on most modern smartphones, including Samsung Galaxy, OnePlus And Realme.

Step-by-step instructions:

• 📱 Go to Settings → Wi-Fi and tap on the connected network.
• 🔗 Find the option QR code or Share via QR.
• 📸 Generate the code and take a screenshot (or take a photo with another device).
• 🔍 Use any online QR decoder app (For example, QR Code Reader V Google Play).
• 🔑 The decrypted data will contain a string WPA:... or P: - this is your password.

Important: Some manufacturers (for example, Xiaomi) encrypt QR codes with their own algorithms; in this case, this method will not work.

Method 3: Special Features for Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO Owners

Smartphones based on MIUI (including Redmi And POCO) have a hidden function for viewing Wi-Fi passwords, but it's hidden deep in the settings. This method works on firmware MIUI 12 and newer.

How to find the password:

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi and tap on the current network.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Additionally".
3. Scroll down and find the item Show password (may be called "Password" (in the English version).
4. Confirm the action with your fingerprint or PIN.

⚠️ Attention: On some models (eg, Xiaomi 13T With HyperOS) This path may vary. If there is no "Show password" option, try the alternative method via ADB (described below).

What to do if there is no "Additional" item?

On some MIUI versions the path is different: Settings → Passwords & Security → Privacy → Special Permissions → View Wi-Fi PasswordsIf it's not there either, you need to update the firmware or use ADB.

Method 4: Extract Password via ADB (For Advanced Users)

If standard methods don't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) — a debugging tool that allows you to extract passwords from system files. This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer but does not require root privileges. root.

What you will need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux
• 📱 USB cable for connecting your phone
• 🛠️ Installed drivers ADB (you can download it from official Android website)

Instructions:

1. Turn it on on your phone Developer mode (Tap the build number 7 times in Settings → About phone).
2. Activate USB debugging in the developer menu.
3. Connect your phone to your computer and trust the device.
4. Open Command line (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) and enter:

adb shell
su -c "cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml | grep 'SSID=\"YOUR_WIFI_NAME\" -A 5"

Replace YOUR_WIFI_NAME to the name of your network. In the output, find the line with PreSharedKey="..." - this is the password.

⚠️ Attention: On new versions Android 13+ access to system files through ADB may be limited. If the command doesn't work, try an alternative:

adb shell cmd wifi list_networks

Then copy networkId your network and run:

adb shell cmd wifi get_network_var {networkId} password

Method 5: Viewing the password on the router (universal method)

If none of the previous methods worked, the most reliable option is to look into the router's settings. This is the only method guaranteed to work. any device, regardless of the phone model or version Android.

How to do it:

1. Find out IP address your router (usually it is 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1). You can check this in your phone's Wi-Fi settings (tap "Network" → "Network Management" → "Advanced").
2. Enter this address into the address bar of your browser on your phone or computer.
3. Log in (default logins/passwords are usually admin/admin or indicated on the router sticker).
4. Go to the section Wireless Network (or "Wireless") → "Safety" (or "Security").
5. The password will be in the field PSK Password or WPA Key.

🔧 Helpful tip: If you haven't changed your router's default login details but have forgotten them, try using the service RouterPasswords, where factory combinations for most models are collected.

Find out the router's IP address (192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1)

Check the login/password on the device sticker

Connect to the router's network via Wi-Fi or cable

Use your browser in incognito mode (avoid cache)

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What to do if none of the methods work?

If all the above methods don't help, you have three options:

1. Reset the password on the router. To do this, click the button Reset on the back of the router (hold for 10-15 seconds). After the reset, use the login information from the device sticker.
2. Contact your provider. Many operators (eg Rostelecom, MTS, Beeline) store passwords for distributed routers in their personal account.
3. Use backup. If you previously backed up your phone settings via Google Drive or Mi Cloud - try to recover the data (sometimes passwords are saved in encrypted form).

⚠️ Attention: Do not use applications from Google Play, promising to "hack Wi-Fi" or "show passwords without root." Most of them either don't work or contain malicious code. The only exception are official utilities from router manufacturers (for example, Mi Wi-Fi for devices Xiaomi).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about viewing Wi-Fi passwords on Android

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

Yes, on most modern smartphones this is possible through the standard settings (method 1 or 2) or ADB (Method 4) Root is only required for older versions Android (below 8.0) or custom firmware.

Why is there no "Show Password" button on my Xiaomi?

It depends on the version MIUI and regional firmware. On Chinese versions MIUI The function is often disabled. Try updating the system or use ADB.

Is it safe to use ADB to extract password?

Yes, if you downloaded Platform Tools from the official website Android DevelopersThe method itself does not disrupt the system's operation, as it reads data from legitimate system files.

Is it possible to find out the password for someone else's Wi-Fi that their phone connected to?

Technically yes, but that's breaks the law (Article 272 of the Russian Criminal Code, "Unauthorized access to computer information"). We strongly advise against this.

How to save your password so you don't forget it?

Use password managers (Google Password Manager, 1Password, KeePass) or take a screenshot of the QR code from the Wi-Fi settings and save it in a secure folder.