Forgot your Wi-Fi hotspot password on Android? A complete recovery guide

It's a common occurrence when you try to connect a friend's laptop or tablet to the internet via your smartphone, only to have the device request a password you completely forget. This is a common problem faced by owners. Android devices Different versions and brands. Users often set a complex password during initial setup, then forget it, and the "remember password" feature on the phone itself hides this data from the owner for security purposes.

However, there is no need to despair, as the operating system Android provides several mechanisms for solving this problem, although they vary depending on the software version. If you've forgotten your Wi-Fi hotspot password on Android, what to do depends on whether you have root access, the OS version you're running, and whether you're willing to take drastic measures like a hard reset. In this article, we'll cover all possible scenarios, from simple menu settings to using system configuration files.

Before taking any action, it's important to understand the security architecture of modern mobile operating systems. Starting with version Android 10Google has significantly restricted access by apps and even system settings to plaintext Wi-Fi passwords. This is intended to protect user data, but it creates inconvenience in the situation described. Therefore, workarounds are divided into two broad categories: for older devices (Android 9 and below) and for newer devices that require more complex manipulations.

Finding a password through your smartphone's settings on Android 10 and later

On modern smartphones from Samsung, Xiaomi, Pixel and other manufacturers with an installed shell based on Android 10 and higher, the process of access recovery has become visually simpler, but technically more complex. The system allows you to generate a QR code for quickly connecting other devices, and this is often where the desired key is hidden. You need to go to the menu Settings → Connections → Mobile Hotspot (the route may vary slightly depending on the brand).

In the window that opens, look for the "QR code" or "Share" button. When you click it, the system will generate an image containing encrypted network data. On many devices, the password is written in small print beneath the QR code itself. If there's no text, simply take a screenshot and open it using Google Lens or any similar text recognition service—it will read the string. SSID and password separately.

⚠️ Note: On some custom ROMs (for example, older versions of MIUI or ColorOS), the password in the QR code may be hidden behind asterisks. In this case, this method will not work, and you will have to find alternative solutions.

If automatic detection doesn't work, you can try a tricky method through a browser. Scan the QR code you created with another phone, but don't connect to the network immediately. Some scanners display raw connection string data, with the following prefix: P: The required security key will be displayed. This is a standard method that doesn't require superuser rights and won't void the device's warranty.

Using system files for Android 9 and later

For devices running Android 9 Pie and earlier versions, the situation is much simpler. The system stores the configuration of all saved Wi-Fi networks, including the access point, in an open text file. To access it, you need permissions. Root and a file manager with support for system partitions, for example, Root Explorer or ES File Explorer (with root functions enabled).

After gaining superuser rights, you need to follow the path /data/misc/wifi/In this directory, you are interested in the file named hostapd.conf (for access point) or wpa_supplicant.conf (for client networks). Open this file with a text editor. Inside, you will find a line starting with ssid= (network name) and wpa_psk= or key= - this is your password in its pure form.

# Example of hostapd.conf file contents
interface=wlan0
driver=nl80211
ssid=MyHotspotName
hw_mode=g
channel=6
wpa=2
wpa_passphrase=SuperSecretPassword123
wpa_key_mgmt=WPA-PSK

If you accidentally delete an extra line or change the file formatting, your phone may stop detecting wireless networks. Therefore, before making any changes, make a copy of the file to a memory card or cloud storage.

Resetting the access point settings via the device menu

If you can't find the password using system tools and you don't have root access, the only option left is to reset the access point itself. This won't affect your personal data (photos, contacts, apps), but it will return the internet sharing settings to factory defaults. This usually means the network name will return to the default (e.g., AndroidAP), and the password will either be set to “12345678” or disappear completely.

To perform this operation, go to Settings → Connections → Mobile hotspot → Set up hotspotAt the bottom of the screen or in the menu (three dots in the corner), find the "Reset" or "Restore to default" button. After confirming, the old configuration will be deleted, and you will be able to set a new password.

• 🔄 Open the hotspot settings in your smartphone's menu.
• 🗑️ Find and click the "Reset settings" button.
• 🔐 Come up with a new character combination and save your changes.
• 📡 Reconnect your devices using the new security key.

It is worth noting that on some devices (especially in the lines Huawei And Honor) A reset may require rebooting the communication module. If after the reset, the access point doesn't appear in the list of available networks on other devices, try turning airplane mode off and on again or simply restarting the phone.

Specifics of resetting on different smartphone brands

Shell interfaces Android They vary greatly, and finding the right button can be a quest. Below is a table to help you navigate the menus of popular manufacturers if the standard route doesn't work.

On devices Xiaomi A common bug with MIUI is that after a reset, the password doesn't change visually in the menu, but actually becomes the default. In this case, try entering "12345678" on the connected device—there's a high chance of success.

Secret command for engineers

On some Samsung devices, the full testing menu can be accessed via the *#0011# code in the dialer, but this rarely allows you to change the hotspot password directly; it only displays the current connection status.

Complete reset of network settings (radical method)

If none of the above helps, or you've forgotten the access point administrator password (if you're in a complex corporate scenario), the only option left is to "Reset Network Settings." This is more aggressive than simply resetting the access point: it will delete all saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth pairings, and mobile operator settings.

You can find this option along the path Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile data, and BluetoothAfter this operation, your phone will return to its "as is" state in terms of network connections. You'll have to re-enter your home Wi-Fi passwords and re-pair your watch or headphones, but the problem with the forgotten hotspot password is guaranteed to be resolved.

⚠️ Warning: Before performing a full network reset, make sure you remember the passwords for important Wi-Fi networks (home, office), as it will be impossible to restore them from the phone's memory after this procedure without root rights.

This method often helps when software errors accumulate in the system, preventing the access point from displaying or changing its settings correctly. If a hard reset doesn't help, the problem may lie deeper—in a corrupted system partition or a third-party app conflict.

Using third-party apps and ADB

For advanced users who do not want to get full root rights, but have access to USB debugging (ADB), there's a way to extract the password using the computer's command line. This method works on many devices with read access to system databases, even without full root.

You will need a computer, a USB cable and installed Android Debug BridgeConnect your phone, enable debugging, and enter the command to access the settings database. However, starting with Android 10, access to the table wifi_config_store often closed even for ADB without special permissions.

adb shell sqlite3 /data/misc/wifi/wifi_config_store.db "select * from Configs;"

If the command is successful, you will see a list of all networks. Look for the field KeyString or passphraseIf the response is a "Permission denied" error, it means the system's security is too high, and root access or a factory reset is necessary. There are apps on Google Play that promise to reveal passwords, but 99% of them are either fake, require root access, or contain ads.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to find out the hotspot password without root access on Android 12?

Yes, this is possible by generating a QR code in the hotspot settings. Scan the code with another phone or use Google Lens to recognize the text in the screenshot. The password will be displayed in text below the code or recognized by the app.

Will Reset Network Settings reset my photos and apps?

No, this feature only affects network settings: Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth settings, and mobile network settings. Your personal files, apps, and contacts will remain safe and secure.

Why doesn't the access point turn on after a reset?

There may be a driver conflict or a temporary communication module failure. Try rebooting your device. If the issue persists, check your data plan settings to see if you've reached your traffic limit or the number of connected users.

Is it safe to use password recovery apps from the Play Market?

Most of these apps either require root access (which they don't grant) or are simply advertising bloatware. Be extremely careful: they may request excessive permissions. It's better to use Android's built-in methods.