Smartphone owners Xiaomi, Redmi i POCO often wonder where exactly the device saves the logins they entered and access keys to sites or applications. The answer to the question of where passwords are stored on Android Xiaomi is not as clear as it might seem at first glance. The Android system uses several levels of protection and synchronization, which is why data may be in different locations depending on your settings.
There are usually two main storages: a cloud service from Google and a built-in system password manager from MIUI or HyperOS. Understanding the difference between them is critical to restoring access to accounts when changing devices or resetting settings. In this article, we will analyze the data storage architecture in detail and show specific paths to the necessary settings.
It is worth noting right away that direct access to the encrypted system databases without root access is impossible for an ordinary user. However, the operating system interface provides convenient tools for viewing and managing stored credentials. Let's look at how exactly this system works in practice.
System password storage in Xiaomi settings
Starting with certain versions of the shell MIUI 12 and later, Xiaomi has implemented its own password manager. This is local storage that is synchronized via Mi Cloud if you have activated the appropriate option. To find this data, the user needs to go to the standard phone settings menu.
The path to the section may differ slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same. You need to open Settings, then scroll down to Passwords and Security. This is where all the tools related to device protection and access to services are concentrated. In some regions, this section may simply be called "Security".
Inside this menu there is a subsection Password Manager. This displays a list of all sites and applications for which the system has remembered the login data. To view a specific password, the system will require additional authentication: entering a pattern, PIN code or fingerprint. This is a security measure that prevents unauthorized persons from accessing your confidential information.
⚠️ Attention: If you reset your phone to factory settings without first synchronizing with Mi Cloud, the data from the local password manager will be irretrievably lost.
The functionality of the built-in manager allows you not only to view, but also to edit saved records. You can change your login or password if it was entered incorrectly. The function of generating complex combinations of characters when registering on new resources right inside the input interface is also available.
Regularly check the "Password Manager" section for duplicate entries - this will help avoid confusion when logging into accounts from different devices.
Integration with Google Password Manager
In addition to the proprietary solution from Xiaomi, users actively use the Google ecosystem. If when you first launch your browser Chrome or when you log in, you agree to save data, it goes to the secure cloud of your Google account. This is the most reliable storage method, since the data is tied to an account, and not to a specific phone hardware.
This storage is accessed through the settings of the smartphone itself or through a browser. In the Android settings, the path looks like this: Settings → Google → Autofill → Autofill from Google. Here you will see the option "Google Password Manager". By clicking on it, you will be taken to the full list of saved login-password combinations.
The advantage of using services Google is cross-platform. The password saved on your Xiaomi Mi 11will be automatically available on your tablet, laptop or any other device where you are logged into the same account. This eliminates the need to manually transfer data when purchasing a new gadget.
Identity verification will also be required to view the content. The system may prompt you to unlock the screen or enter your Google account password if a lot of time has passed since the last authorization. The interface allows you to quickly copy data to the clipboard or go to the corresponding website.
Viewing passwords through the Chrome browser
Most users access the Internet through the standard browser Google Chromethat comes with Android. It has its own built-in module for saving form data. You can find saved entries directly inside the application, without delving into the phone’s system settings.
The algorithm of actions is extremely simple. Launch the browser, click on the three dots in the upper right corner to open the menu and select Settings. In the list that opens, find the section Password Manager. Here is a complete list of all sites where you have ever clicked the "Save Password" button.
By clicking on a specific site from the list, you will see a hidden password field (it is covered with dots). Next to it is an eye icon. Tapping this icon initiates a security check: the phone will ask you to place your finger on the scanner or enter the unlock code. After successful verification, the password will be displayed in clear text.
This method is especially convenient if you need to quickly copy the password to paste on another device or send it to a trusted person. However, remember that browser storage is less protected from malware than system storage if the device has vulnerabilities.
⚠️ Attention: In public places, do not use the “show password” function (eye icon) if there are strangers nearby who can spy on the combination.
☑️ Checking password security
Third-party applications for access control
If the built-in tools of Xiaomi and Google do not seem functional enough to you or you want to have full control over encryption, it is worth considering third-party solutions. There are many specialized password managers on the Android platform, such as Bitwarden, KeePass or 1Password.
These applications create their own encrypted database, which is stored either locally on the device or in the developer’s secure cloud. Unlike system solutions, access to such a database requires one master password, which only you know. This eliminates the possibility of access from outside even if you have superuser rights on the device.
Installing such an application requires setting up autofill in the Android system. You will need to go to Settings → Passwords and security → Privacy → Autofill and select the installed application as the default service. After that, it will intercept login forms in all browsers and applications.
Using third-party software makes it possible to store not only passwords, but also secure notes, bank card data and documents. Some managers support a "panic button" mode, which instantly clears the clipboard or blocks the application when unauthorized access is attempted.
Technical aspects of storing data in the system
For more advanced users, it is interesting to know how exactly data is physically written to the device's memory. In the Android operating system, passwords are not stored in clear text in regular files that can be read through a file manager. They are placed in protected sections of the file system.
The main database of browsers and system services is usually located in the directory /data/data/. For example, for Chrome the path may look like /data/data/com.android.chrome/app_chrome/Default/Login Data. However, access to this folder is closed to all applications and users without obtaining root access.
Files with passwords are encrypted using keys that are tied to a specific user and device. Even if you copy this file to your computer, you will not be able to read its contents without the decryption key, which is stored in the secure Android Keystore.
| Storage Type | Data Localization | Requires Root | Synchronization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Chrome | Google Cloud / Local DB | No | Automatic |
| Xiaomi Manager | Mi Cloud / System section | No | Via Mi Account |
| Third-party (KeePass) | Local file / Your cloud | No (optional) | Manual or via application |
| Wi-Fi system keys | /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf |
Yes (required) | Absent |
What is Android Keystore?
This is a hardware and software container for storing cryptographic keys. It prevents keys from being extracted from the application process, making it impossible to decrypt data even with physical access to the chip's memory.
Restoring access and exporting data
In a situation where you need to transfer all saved passwords to a new phone or make a backup copy, the issue of export arises. Built-in Google tools allow you to upload a list of passwords to a CSV file. This is done through the web interface password.google.com or through the manager settings on the phone.
The export process looks like this: go to the password manager, find the "Settings" button (gear) and select Exporting passwords. The system will warn you that the file will contain data in clear text and will ask you to confirm the action with biometrics or a code. The created file can be saved to a memory card or sent to a computer.
For Xiaomi Manager users, the ability to export may be limited depending on the firmware region. In this case, the only way to transfer is to log into the same Mi account on the new device and enable synchronization. The data will be pulled up automatically in the background.
⚠️ Attention: The CSV file with passwords is not encrypted. Anyone who gains access to this file will be able to read all of your data. Keep it in a safe place and delete it after use.
When you change the password for your main Google account or Mi account, synchronization may temporarily pause until you re-authorize. Make sure you remember the master passwords for all the services you use before resetting your settings.
Regularly exporting passwords to an encrypted archive is the best strategy for protecting against data loss if your device breaks down or your account is blocked.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I see the password from Is the Wi-Fi I’m connected to without root access?
On modern versions of Android (10 and higher), you can view the password for the current Wi-Fi network without root access. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi, click on the name of the active network and select the "Share" option or the QR code icon. A text with a password is often displayed under the QR code, or it can be read by another phone.
Where do passwords go after updating MIUI?
Usually passwords are not deleted when updating the system. If they disappear, check if you are signed in to your Google account and Mi account. Sometimes, after a major update, the synchronization settings are reset, and you need to manually enable the "Passwords" option in the account menu.
Is it safe to use the autofill function on public Wi-Fi networks?
Using autofill on public networks is risky if the site does not use the HTTPS protocol. Attackers on the same network can intercept traffic. It is recommended to enter important passwords only through the mobile data or trusted secure networks.
How to delete a saved password forever?
Go to the password manager (Google or Xiaomi), find the desired entry in the list, click on it and select the trash can icon or the "Delete" item. Confirm the action. Data is deleted both from local storage and from the synchronization cloud.
Why does the phone not offer to save a password when logging in?
This can happen for several reasons: the autofill function is disabled in the settings, the site has a non-standard login form that the system does not recognize, or you previously selected the “Never for this site” option. You can check exceptions in the password manager settings.