Smartphone owners Xiaomi i Redmi often face the need to restore access to accounts when the device has been reset or replaced with a new one. The operating system Android has a complex architecture for storing credentials, which is not limited to one folder. Understanding exactly how MIUI processes this data is critical to ensuring the digital security of your gadget.
Passwords can be located in cloud storage, local encrypted databases, or even in hidden system partitions that require superuser rights to access. In this article we will analyze in detail all the possible locations of secret keys and methods for retrieving them without losing confidentiality.
Google Smart Lock system password manager
The main and most reliable storage for most users is the service Google Smart Lock. This technology is integrated directly into the ecosystem Android and synchronizes data through your Google account. On smartphones Redmi this function works transparently, automatically saving logins and passwords when logging into applications and browsers.
To check the saved data, you need to go to the security settings. The path may differ slightly depending on the shell MIUIversion, but the logic remains the same. Typically this is a section related to your Google account or general device security.
Navigation is as follows: go to Settings → Google → Autofill → Autofill from Google. Here you will see a complete list of all sites and applications for which credentials have been saved. This is the most convenient way to manage access without having to delve into system files.
It is important to note that the data here is protected by the device's master password or biometrics. If you try to view a specific password, the system will ask for identity verification via fingerprint or pattern. This provides a high level of protection even if strangers have physical access to an unlocked phone.
Use the password export feature in Google Chrome on PC to create a backup of all data before resetting your phone.
Local storage in Chrome and MIUI Browser
In addition to the system level, passwords are often saved directly in browsers. Standard Google Chrome and preinstalled MIUI Browser have their own internal databases. These storages work independently of Google Smart Lock if the user has not enabled synchronization.
In the browser Chrome the data is in a protected section of the settings. To access them, open the three-dot menu and select Settings → Password Manager. All websites you have visited through this browser are displayed here. The interface allows you to quickly copy your login or password to the clipboard.
The situation with MIUI Browser is a little more complicated due to the peculiarities of Chinese localization and the specifics of the shell. Here the data can be linked to the account Mi Account. You can check them through the user profile in the browser itself or in the system application Security, which often duplicates the functions of saving keys for Chinese services.
If you use third-party browsers, such as Firefox or Opera, they create their own isolated data containers. These passwords will not be visible in the general system manager until you activate the appropriate synchronization settings within the application itself.
- 🔐 Encryption: Local browser databases are encrypted using keys tied to a specific device.
- 🔄 Synchronization: Without enabling cloud synchronization, data remains only in the phone's memory and disappears when reset.
- 👁️ Visibility: Passwords are hidden with asterisks by default, requiring an explicit action to display them.
Physical location of data files in the Android system
For advanced users and data recovery specialists The actual question is about the physical location of files on the disk. In the operating system Android each application runs in its own isolated environment (sandbox). Data, including passwords, is stored in the directory /data/data/.
The full path to the Chrome browser password database, for example, looks like /data/data/com.android.chrome/app_chrome/Default/Login Data. However, it is impossible to access this folder without rights Root (superuser). The system blocks reading of these sections for normal applications for security purposes.
The file Login Data is a database format SQLite. Even if you copy this file to your computer, you won't be able to simply open it and read the passwords in clear text. The values in the password column are encrypted using the AES algorithm using the key stored in the secure Android Keystore.
Technical Encryption Details
The decryption key is stored in the /data/misc/keystore/ file and is tied to the device's hardware identifier (TEE). Without the original device or a backup copy of the key, it is almost impossible to decrypt the database.
Attempts to gain Root access to read these files may void the warranty and cause banking applications to malfunction. Many banks and payment systems (Google Pay, Mir Pay) block their work on rooted devices due to the risk of data interception by malware.
⚠️ Attention: Obtaining superuser rights (Root) on a Redmi smartphone can lead to irreversible blocking of the bootloader and denial of warranty service. Act only if you are fully aware of the risks of data loss.
The specifics of the key store in the MIUI shell
The shell MIUI from the company Xiaomi adds its own abstraction layer above standard Android. In particular, there are the "Second Space" and "App Protection" functions, which create additional isolated containers for data.
If you use the application cloning function (for example, two WhatsApp or Telegram accounts), the passwords for the second instance are stored in a separate system partition. They are not displayed in the general list of Google Smart Lock unless specific synchronization is configured for cloned profiles.
It is also worth mentioning the service Mi Cloud. When synchronization with your Xiaomi account is enabled, passwords from Wi-Fi networks and some system settings may be duplicated in the manufacturer’s cloud. This is convenient when upgrading to a new phone of the same brand, but creates an additional point of potential vulnerability.
| Data type | Main storage | Backup | Access without Root |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passwords sites | Google Smart Lock | Google Account | Yes (via settings) |
| Application passwords | Internal application memory | Mi Cloud / Google One | No (requires login to the application) |
| Wi-Fi keys | System partition wpa_supplicant | Mi Cloud | QR code or Root only |
| Bank data | Secured container (TEE) | Absent | No (hardware protection) |
The MIUI shell creates additional isolated profiles for cloned applications, the data of which is not visible in the main system interface.
How to view the Wi-Fi password on Redmi
One of the most common requests is to recover your wireless network password. In modern versions Android (starting from version 10) and MIUI this procedure is significantly simplified and does not require complex manipulations with system files.
Go to the section Settings → Wi-Fi. Tap the name of the network you're currently connected to, or the gear icon next to it. In the menu that opens, you will see the "Share" button or the icon QR code.
After confirming your identity (fingerprint or pin code), a QR code will appear on the screen. Below this code is often written the password in clear text. If the text is hidden, you can take a screenshot of the screen and open it in any QR code reader app or Google Lens, which will instantly decrypt the data.
For networks you have connected to before but are not currently connected to, the path may be different. In some versions MIUI you need to click on the "Saved Networks" menu, select the one you want and click "Share". This allows you to quickly transfer access to guests without having to dictate a complex combination of characters.
☑️ Checking Wi-Fi access
Exporting and transferring passwords to a new device
When changing a smartphone, it is critical to correctly transfer all saved credentials. Manually entering hundreds of passwords is a waste of time. The ecosystem Android offers several automated ways to solve this problem.
The most reliable method is using Google backup. When setting up your new Redmi phone for the first time, sign in to the same Google account. The system will offer to recover data from the cloud, including a list of saved passwords from Smart Lock. The process can take from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of data.
An alternative method is manual export through a browser Chrome on a computer. Go to the password settings on your PC, select the "Export passwords" option and save the file in the .csvformat. You can import this file into a new browser or upload it back to your Google Account through the dedicated password management page.
⚠️ Attention: The password export file (.csv) is stored unencrypted. Anyone who gains access to this file will be able to see all of your logins and passwords. Delete it immediately after importing and do not send it via instant messengers.
For users deeply integrated into the ecosystem Xiaomi, a tool is available Mi Mover. This application allows you to transfer data from your old phone to your new Redmi wirelessly. It copies not only contacts and photos, but also system password settings if they are not protected by hardware keys of the old device.
When transferring data via Mi Mover, make sure that both devices have the latest version of the application installed to avoid data format compatibility errors.
Security issues and protection recommendations
Storing passwords on your phone is convenient, but carries certain risks. If your device falls into the hands of criminals in an unlocked state, they can gain access to all your accounts. Therefore, protecting the device itself is the primary level of defense.
Use sophisticated screen locking methods. A pattern key or a simple 4-digit PIN code is easy to find. It is recommended to use an alphanumeric password or strong biometrics. In the settings Settings → Passwords and security you can configure application blocking, which will add another level of verification for sensitive apps.
Regularly audit your saved passwords. Google's password manager has a security check feature that highlights weak, compromised, or duplicate passwords. Removing outdated entries reduces the potential attack surface.
Be careful about installing applications from unverified sources. Malware disguised as useful utilities can request rights to access Accessibility Services and read what you enter on the screen, including passwords that have not yet been saved in the system.
Is it possible to recover passwords after a hard reset of the phone?
If you had it turned on synchronization with Google account or Mi Cloud, then yes. After entering account information on the reset device, passwords will be automatically retrieved from the cloud. If synchronization was disabled and root access were not used to create a full system backup (Titanium Backup and analogues), then restoring local passwords is impossible.
Where are passwords from banking applications stored on Redmi?
Passwords from banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff, etc.) are never stored in clear text or in general managers passwords. They are protected by a hardware security engine (TEE) and are tied to a specific instance of the application on a specific device. When you delete an application or reset your phone, this data is permanently destroyed for security purposes.
How to view the saved password if it is hidden by dots?
In most Android and MIUI interfaces, there is an “eye” icon next to the password input field. Touch and hold it to temporarily display the symbols. If it is a Google password manager, you will need to confirm the action with biometrics or a screen unlock PIN.
Is it safe to use third-party password managers instead of the system one?
Yes, specialized applications like Bitwarden, KeePass or 1Password often provide an even higher level of security than system solutions. They use a master password that only you know and do not depend on the phone manufacturer's ecosystem, which simplifies migration between Android and iOS.
Why is the Wi-Fi password not displayed on older versions of MIUI?
On Android versions below 10 and older builds of MIUI, the function of viewing the password via QR code was missing. In this case, the only way to find out the password without root access is to look at it in the router settings via the web interface or on another device where it can be saved in text form.