It's extremely common to need to connect a new device to the network, but you've forgotten the password and only have a smartphone with an existing connection. Modern operating systems, such as Android, securely hide security keys in system files, access to which is restricted by default. This is done to protect user data from malware and unauthorized access by third parties.
However, there are legal ways to extract this information using built-in operating system functions or special debugging tools. Depending on the version AndroidDepending on the version installed on your device, the methods may vary significantly. On newer versions, the process has become significantly easier thanks to the introduction of a QR code sharing feature.
In this guide, we'll detail how to view saved Wi-Fi passwords on Android without losing data or requiring complex programming. We'll cover both standard tools available to every user, as well as advanced methods for older versions of the system that require a computer connection.
Password storage features in different Android versions
Before the release Android 10 Google's security system was configured extremely tightly: viewing saved networks was only possible with root rightsThis meant that a regular user would have to hack the system to access the file. wpa_supplicant.conf, where all keys were stored in plaintext. With the release of new versions, the philosophy shifted to focus on user convenience.
Starting from Android 10 Google has implemented a native QR code generation feature for quickly connecting guests. This feature has become the key to solving the problem of forgotten passwords. The QR code contains all the necessary connection information, including the network SSID and password in text format, which can often be read directly from the code or scanned with another device.
⚠️ Attention: On devices with custom shells (for example, MIUI from Xiaomi or One UI (from Samsung) the location of the settings may differ slightly from stock Android.It is important to understand that the methods that work on Android 12 or 13, may not be available on older devices. If your smartphone is running Android 9 or lower, it will not be possible to extract the password using standard methods without obtaining superuser rights, which may void the warranty.
📊 What version of Android is installed on your main smartphone?Android 9 and belowAndroid 10Android 11Android 12 and aboveMethod for Android 10 and newer: QR code and settings
The easiest and most secure way to extract a Wi-Fi password from an Android device is available to owners of smartphones running OS version 10 or higher. You don't need any third-party apps or a PC connection. The entire process takes just a few seconds and is performed through the standard settings menu.
First you need to go to the menu
Settingsyour device. Next, find the sectionWi-FiorConnections, depending on your phone model. In the list of available networks, find the one you're currently connected to, or select a previously saved network from the "Saved Networks" list.Click the gear icon next to the network name or simply tap the network name. The menu that opens should contain a button. Share or an icon QR codeWhen you click it, the system will ask you to confirm your identity using a PIN, fingerprint, or face scan.
- 📱 Open Wi-Fi settings on the device with the saved password.
- 🔍 Click on the desired network or the "Share" button.
- 🔐 Complete biometric or digital authentication.
- 👁️ Look at the QR code that appears: often the password is written in text underneath it.
If the password isn't written in text under the QR code (which is often the case on stock Android), you'll need a second smartphone or tablet with a camera and a QR code scanning app installed (such as Google Lens or a built-in scanner). Point the second device's camera at the code, and you'll see a connection string in a notification or pop-up window, followed by
P:The password you are looking for will be indicated.Using ADB to Extract Data Without Root
For owners of devices based on Android 9 and below, and for those who prefer technical solutions, there is a method using ADB (Android Debug Bridge)This tool allows you to interact with the Android system from your computer via the command line. This method requires a computer (Windows, macOS, or Linux) and a USB cable.
The first step is to enable debugging mode on your smartphone. Go to
Settings→About the phoneand quickly press the item seven timesBuild number. After that, in the menuFor developers(will appear in the main settings menu) activate the switch USB debugging.Connect your phone to your computer and install the ADB drivers if they aren't already installed. Open the command prompt on your PC in the ADB tools folder. Enter the following command to test the connection:
adb devicesA prompt will appear on your phone's screen asking for permission to debug from this computer. Click "Allow." Now that the connection is established, we can try to access system files. However, without root access, direct access to
/data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.confClosed. But in some cases (depending on the manufacturer and security patch version), you can use backup or specific shell commands.Try running the command to list saved networks (this does not work on all devices without root):
adb shell cmd wifi list-networks⚠️ Note: The ADB command line interface may vary depending on the Android version. With current security patches, Google blocks direct access to the Wi-Fi configuration via ADB without root access.☑️ Getting Started with ADB
Completed: 0 / 4Compatibility table of methods and OS versions
To help you navigate the available methods, we've compiled a summary table. It shows which methods are relevant for different operating system versions. Keep in mind that smartphone manufacturers may make their own interface changes.
Android version QR code in settings Access without Root Necessary tools Android 13+ Yes (password text is often visible) Yes Smartphone only Android 10-12 Yes (scanner needed) Yes Smartphone + Camera Android 9 No (depends on the shell) No (ADB/Root required) PC + Cable or Root Android 8 and below No No (Root only) Root rights required. As can be seen from the table, On Android 10 and newer, you can find out your password without using a computer or third-party software., which is a significant improvement in usability. For older versions, the situation is more complex, and often the only solution is resetting the router or using a PC.
Advanced Methods: Root Rights and File Managers
If you have a device with permissions Superuser (Root), the password extraction process becomes trivial. Root privileges provide full access to the file system, including protected partitions where system configurations are stored. This is the most reliable method for older devices.
You will need a file manager with root access support, such as Root Explorer, Solid Explorer or MT ManagerAfter installing the app, grant it superuser privileges when you first launch it. Then navigate to the following path:
/data/misc/wifi/In this folder, find a file named
wpa_supplicant.conforWifiConfigStore.xml(On newer versions of Android, data may be stored in XML format.) Open this file with the built-in text editor.
- 📂 Find the line
ssid="Your_Network_Name".- 🔑 There will be a line right below it
psk="YOUR_PASSWORD".- 📝 Copy the value between the quotes.
Be extremely careful when editing system files. Changing any other parameters in this file may cause the Wi-Fi module to stop working correctly, requiring a factory reset.
What to do if the wpa_supplicant.conf file is empty?
If the file exists but contains no data, your system may store the configuration elsewhere, such as in an SQLite database. Try looking for a file with the .db extension in the same directory or in /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/.
Alternative options and workarounds
If software methods fail, there are always physical or administrative options for restoring access. These don't require technical expertise, but they can take longer.
The first option is to look at the sticker on the router itself. Factory passwords are often located on the bottom of the device. If you've never changed the password since purchasing the router, this information will be valid. The second option is to log into the router's web interface. If your smartphone is connected to Wi-Fi, you can open a browser and enter the gateway address (often
192.168.0.1or192.168.1.1). By accessing the settings with administrator rights, you can view or change the password in the wireless network section.You can also use the "Password Recovery" function on the router login page, if provided by the manufacturer, or reset the router using the button
Reset(this will disable all users).Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to find out the Wi-Fi password on Android without root access on version 8?
Unfortunately, on Android 8 and below, it's impossible to view saved passwords without root access due to system security limitations. The only options are to use a QR code, if the phone manufacturer has added this feature, or to use the ADB method, which is also limited on these versions.
Is it safe to use apps from the Play Market to view passwords?
Most apps that promise to reveal passwords without root access on older versions of Android either don't work or display ads. Apps that require root access may be safe, but download them only from trusted sources. Be careful: some apps may collect data about your networks.
Where can I find the wpa_supplicant.conf file on Android 12?
On Android 10 and above, reading this file directly through the file manager is sometimes impossible, even with root access, because the data is encrypted or stored in the secure Keystore. Use the QR code method.
What to do if the QR code does not scan?
Make sure the screen isn't cracked in the code area, the brightness is turned up to maximum, and the camera lens is clean. Also, try taking a screenshot and opening it with Google Lens or another scanner from your gallery.