Forgot your Wi-Fi password: How to find it on your phone in 2 minutes

Forgetting your home Wi-Fi password is a familiar situation for every second user. It's especially frustrating when you need to connect a new device and the router sticker is long gone. Fortunately, modern smartphones Android And iOS Store saved passwords, making them easy to retrieve. In this article, we'll explore all the working methods—from standard system functions to hidden features that few people know about.

It is important to understand that the methods differ depending on the version of the operating system, the phone model and even the manufacturer (on Samsung, Xiaomi or iPhone (The paths to the settings may vary.) We've compiled general instructions that will work in 90% of cases, and also highlighted some nuances for popular brands. If your phone doesn't support the features described below, don't despair: there are alternative solutions at the end of the article.

Before you begin, please check two things: 1. Make sure your phone is already connected to the desired Wi-Fi network (even if the internet is not working). 2. On Android Some methods require administrator rights, which can be obtained via a fingerprint or lock screen PIN.

If both conditions are met, proceed to the instructions.

1. The standard method on Android: Wi-Fi settings menu

The easiest method that works on most phones with Android 10 and newer (including Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, OnePlus). The password is displayed as a QR code or text, depending on the firmware version. Here's how to do it:

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi (or Network and Internet → Wi-Fi).
2. Click on the name of the current network (under the word "Connected").
3. Tap the button Share (or "Share" (on English firmware).
4. Confirm identification with a fingerprint, PIN code or pattern.

After this, a QR code will appear. Below it will be a text password—you can copy it or show it to other devices using a scanner. On some phones (for example, Xiaomi Redmi Note 11) the password is hidden behind the button Show password - don't forget to click on it.

Your phone isn't connected to the Wi-Fi network. You're using a guest account. You have an outdated version of Android (below 10). WPS (quick connection mode) is disabled on your router.

Exceptions: On phones Huawei And Honor with firmware EMUI This method may not work—the system will only offer a QR code instead of a password. In this case, proceed to the next method.

⚠️ Attention: If you see the message "Unable to share network", this means that the network is protected by a corporate protocol (for example, WPA2-Enterprise). This rarely happens at home—usually at work or school hotspots. In these cases, the password can only be found through the router settings.

2. Viewing the password via the configuration file (for Android with root)

If you have root rights (or you are ready to receive them), the password can be extracted from the system file wpa_supplicant.confThis method works on all versions. Android, but requires caution - incorrect actions can disrupt the operation of Wi-Fi.

You will need any file manager with access to the root folder (for example, Root Explorer or Solid Explorer). Follow the instructions:

1. Open the file manager and go to the folder /data/misc/wifi/.
2. Find the file wpa_supplicant.conf and open it with a text editor.
3. Inside the file there will be blocks of the following type:

   network={
   ssid="Your_Network_Name"
   psk="your_password"
   key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
   }

   Line psk="..." contains the password you are looking for.

Important: Do not edit or delete this file! Any changes may result in the loss of all saved Wi-Fi networks. If you need to copy the password, take a screenshot or rewrite it manually.

What to do if the wpa_supplicant.conf file is missing?

On some firmware (for example, MIUI 14 or ColorOS) The file path may differ. Try searching for it in:

/data/vendor/wifi/wpa_supplicant/ or /data/wifi/bcm_supp.conf.

If it’s not there either, your firmware stores passwords in encrypted form, and they can only be extracted using special utilities (for example, WiFi Password Viewer from Play Market).

3. Using password extraction apps

If the previous methods don't work, third-party utilities can help. They don't require root access on newer versions. Android, but may request access to network settings or special permitsWe tested 3 reliable apps:

• 📱 WiFi Password Viewer - shows all saved passwords, works without root Android 9+. Supports export to file.
• 🔍 WiFi Key Recovery — Recovers passwords even after resetting the phone (if they were saved in a backup copy).
• 🔗 WiFi Map — does not show passwords directly, but can save a QR code for connecting other devices.

How to use:

1. Install one of the applications from Google Play.
2. Run it and grant the requested permissions (usually access to Wi-Fi settings And Storage).
3. Find the desired network in the list and click on it. The password will be displayed in the window that opens.

⚠️ Attention: Some antivirus programs (for example, Avast or Kaspersky) may block such applications, deeming them "suspicious." This is a false positive—add the utility to the exceptions list if you want to use it.

WiFi Password Viewer|WiFi Key Recovery|WiFi Map|Other|I don't use these-->

4. Specific methods for iPhone (iOS)

On iPhone And iPad With iOS The situation is more complicated: Apple hides Wi-Fi passwords for security reasons. However, there are workarounds that work on devices with jailbreak or through synchronization with MacLet's consider both options.

Method 1: Via Keychain Access on Mac

If your iPhone ever connected to MacBook or iMac, the password may have been saved in the system storage. To find it:

1. Open the app "Bunch of keys" on Mac (find via Spotlight).
2. Enter the name of your Wi-Fi network in the search bar.
3. Double-click on the found entry and check the box. Show password.
4. Enter your account password Mac - after this the Wi-Fi password will be displayed.

Method 2: Using Jailbreak (for advanced users)

If you have jailbreak installed (for example, via checkra1n or unc0ver), you can use a tweak WiFi Passwords from the repository BigBossAfter installation:

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi.
2. Tap on the icon "i" next to the network name.
3. The password will be displayed in the field. "Router Password".

On non-jailbroken devices and Macs, it's impossible to extract the Wi-Fi password—this is an iOS security limitation. In this case, the only option left is to reset the password through the router settings (instructions in the next section).

5. Alternative method: resetting the password via the router

If none of these methods work, there's a universal solution: reset the password directly in the router settings. You don't need to be a tech expert to do this; just follow a few steps.

First, connect your phone to the router via cable (if there is a port Ethernet) or use another device that is already connected to Wi-Fi. Then:

1. Find out the IP address of your router. This is usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1The exact address can be found on the device sticker or in the instructions.
2. Open a browser on your phone and enter this IP in the address bar.
3. Enter your login and password to log in (by default this is often admin/admin or admin/password).
4. Go to the section Wireless (or Wi-Fi, Wireless network) and find the field "Password" (Password or PSK).

If you don't know your router login details, try the standard combinations for your model:

⚠️ Attention: If you have changed your router login/password but don’t remember them, you will have to do hard reset (press and hold the button Reset for 10 seconds). After this, all settings will be reset to factory defaults, including the Wi-Fi password (it will be located on the router's sticker).

6. How to avoid problems in the future

To avoid the hassle of forgotten passwords, follow these tips:

• 📝 Save the password in notes (for example, in Google Keep or Apple Notes) labeled "Home Wi-Fi." Use a password-protected notepad if you're concerned about data leakage.
• 📱 Take a photo of the router sticker — it usually contains the factory login/password for entering the control panel and the standard Wi-Fi key.
• 🔄 Set up backup on Android (through Settings → Google → Backup). This will save your Wi-Fi network data to your Google account.
• 🔗 Use QR codes - many routers (for example, Keenetic or ASUS) allow you to generate QR codes for quick connection of guests.

If you have multiple devices at home (for example, the main router + repeater), write down the passwords for each network separately. Network name (SSID) and the password can be renamed to something more memorable - for example, MyHomeWiFi_2.4 And SuperSecret123!.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Wi-Fi Passwords

Is it possible to find out the password for a Wi-Fi network that my phone was previously connected to but is not currently connected to?

On Android Without root access - no. The system only stores passwords for current connections. If the network is saved but inactive, try connecting to it again (even without internet) and use the method with wpa_supplicant.conf (section 2).

On iPhone - only if you have Mac with synchronized Keychain (section 4).

Why do I get the error "Unable to share network" when trying to share a password?

This error appears in three cases:

1. The network uses corporate authentication (For example, WPA2-Enterprise). Such networks do not support password sharing.
2. The protocol is disabled on the router. WPS (needed to generate QR code).
3. Your phone is running Android Go (a stripped-down version for weak devices), where the function is disabled.

Solution: Try the alternative methods in this article or reset the password through the router.

Are Wi-Fi password extractor apps safe to use?

Yes, if you download them from official sources (Google Play or App Store). Risks arise only in two cases:

• You are installing an APK file from an unknown site (may contain viruses).
• The application requests unnecessary permissions (for example, access to SMS or contacts).

Before installing, check the utility's reviews and rating. Our recommendations in Section 3 are verified and safe.

Is it possible to find out my neighbor's Wi-Fi password?

No, it's illegal. All methods described in the article only work for networks that your phone is connected to. already connected With your consent. Attempting to hack someone else's network violates:

• Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Unauthorized access to computer information").
• Internet provider service rules (may result in blocking).

If you urgently need internet, ask a neighbor to share the password or use a mobile hotspot.

What should I do if Wi-Fi doesn't work after resetting my router?

After a hard reset (Reset) the router is reset to factory settings. To restore Wi-Fi operation:

1. Connect the router to your computer or phone via cable.
2. Log in to the control panel using the standard IP (see the table in section 5).
3. Go through initial setup wizard (usually starts automatically).
4. In the section Wireless set a new network name (SSID) and password.
5. Save the settings and reboot the router.

If the internet still doesn't work, check your internet connection or contact technical support.