The situation when you need to provide access to a wireless network to a new guest or connect a second device, but the security key itself is forgotten, occurs quite often. Owners of modern smartphones are often interested in where they can look up the Wi-Fi password on an Android phone, since the system automatically remembers this data for quick connection. Fortunately, starting with certain versions of the operating system, this feature has become built-in and available to the average user without the need for advanced rights.
Previously, retrieving stored keys required tinkering with system files, which was only available to advanced users. Today Settings interface most popular shells allow you to do this in a couple of touches. However, the methods may vary significantly depending on the manufacturer of your gadget and the version of the installed firmware. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the current ways to obtain this information.
Built-in functions of Android 10 and later
Starting from Android 10Google has introduced a native function for generating QR codes for public networks, which At the same time, it allows you to see the text of the password itself. This is the simplest and safest method that does not require the installation of third-party software. If you have a clean system installed or a shell close to it, the algorithm of actions will be as standardized and understandable as possible.
First, you need to get to the wireless connection management menu. Usually the path looks like this: go to Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi. In the list of available networks, find the one you are currently connected to, or select a saved network from the list below (depending on the model). Click on the gear icon or network name to open detailed information.
In the window that opens you will see a button Share or a QR code icon. When you click on it, the system will ask you to confirm your identity using a fingerprint, face scanner or screen unlock PIN. This is a necessary measure Securityto prevent outsiders from accessing your network settings. After successful authentication, a QR code will appear on the screen.
Under this QR code, a text line with a password is often immediately displayed. If the text is hidden by dots or asterisks, you can use a second smartphone with a camera or a built-in QR code scanner. Point your camera at the code, and a link like WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:MyPassword;;will appear in a notification or pop-up window. The key you are looking for will be located after the symbol P: and before the double colon.
If the password is not written in text under the QR code, simply scan it with the camera of any other phone - the full text of the access key will appear in the notification.
Features of the Samsung, Xiaomi and Realme interfaces
Electronics manufacturers often modify the standard interface Androidby adding their own unique functions. Owners of devices from Samsung, Xiaomi or Realme may encounter slight differences in the location of menu elements. For example, in the One UI shell from Samsung, the process is maximally visualized and user-friendly.
On smartphones Samsung Galaxy after clicking on the gear next to the network name and selecting the "QR code" item, the system immediately displays the pattern lock. If you click on the eye icon or just look under the code, a text password will often be displayed. In some cases, the text is hidden, and then scanning the code remains the only quick way to find out the combination of characters without unnecessary actions.
In devices Xiaomi with the MIUI or HyperOS shell, the logic is similar, but there is a nuance. Sometimes when you click on the "Share" button, the system offers to save the QR code to the gallery or send it to the messenger. If you save the picture, you can later open it through any scanner or even through Google Lens directly in the gallery to read the encrypted data.
It is worth noting that on older versions of the firmware of these brands, the text viewing function may have been absent, leaving only the ability to scan. In such cases visual reading through the camera of another device becomes a mandatory step in the procedure. Do not try to take a screenshot and enlarge it manually - it is safer to use an automatic decoder.
⚠️ Attention: Interfaces are updated regularly. If you don't find the "Share" button right away, look for the "Advanced" item or the icon with three dots in the corner of the network settings screen.
View through the router settings
If for some reason you look at the password It doesn’t work directly in the phone settings (for example, you have an old version of Android below 10), you can use an alternative method through the router’s web interface. Since your phone is already connected to the network, it has direct access to the router's control panel. This is a universal method that works on any version of the software.
To do this, you need to find out the IP address of the gateway. Go to the Wi-Fi settings on your phone, click on the name of the current network and find the “Router Management” item or look at the “Gateway” field. Most often this is an address like 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. Enter this address into the address bar of any browser on your phone (Chrome, Yandex, etc.).
The router authorization page will open. You will need an administrator login and password. By default, they are often listed on a sticker on the bottom of the device itself (usually admin/admin). If you have changed this data before and do not remember it, this method will not work without resetting the router. After logging in, go to the section Wireless or Wireless mode.
In the wireless network settings menu, find the subsection Security (Wireless Security). This is where the WPA/WPA2 key field is located. Often the password is hidden by asterisks, but there will be a “Show” button or a “Display password” checkbox next to it. After removing the protection, you will see the desired combination of characters and can rewrite or copy it.
Using third-party applications
In the store Google Play there are many utilities that promise to show saved passwords. However, with the release of new versions of Android, the capabilities of such apps are severely limited by system security policies. Applications without root access is now unable to read system files where keys are stored, so their functionality is reduced mainly to generating QR codes from networks already known to the system.
Nevertheless, some Wi-Fi managers remain useful tools. They can automatically generate a QR code to quickly transmit data to guests or backup network settings. Popular names include various "WiFi Key Recovery" or "WiFi Password Viewer", but their effectiveness directly depends on your phone model.
Be extremely careful when installing such apps. Many of them contain aggressive advertising or collect unnecessary data about your device. Always check the app's rating and reviews before downloading. If an application requires strange permissions, for example, access to contacts or calls to browse the network, this is a clear sign of malware.
| Application type | Root required | Functional | Security |
|---|---|---|---|
| QR scanners | No | Code generation from the current network | High |
| Network managers | No | Saving profiles, sharing | Medium |
| Burglars (WPS) | Yes/No | Key selection attempt | Low (risk of viruses) |
| System utilities | Yes | Reading the wpa_supplicant file | Depends on the source |
☑️ Checking application security
Method with root access and file managers
For users with superuser rights (Root), there is a direct access to the system file where all passwords ever entered are stored. This method is the most reliable for older versions of Android, where there is no QR code function, but it requires preliminary preparation of the device and carries certain risks.
The file with the network configuration is called wpa_supplicant.conf and is located along the path /data/misc/wifi/. To read it, you will need an advanced file manager with support for root access, for example Root Explorer or Solid Explorer. After granting access rights, you will be able to open this file as plain text.
Inside the file you will see a list of blocks network={...}. Each such block contains a line ssid="Network_name" and a line psk="Password". The key you are looking for will be listed in quotes after the psk parameter. This method allows you to see passwords even from those networks to which you are not currently connected, but were connected previously.
⚠️ Attention: Obtaining root access will void the warranty on the device and may lead to disruption of banking applications. Use this method only if you fully understand the consequences.
What if the file is empty?
If the wpa_supplicant.conf file is empty or does not contain the necessary entries, your system may be encrypting the keys or storing them in another secure storage (Keystore), which is common with newer versions of Android with hardware encryption.
Restoring access by resetting the settings
As a last resort, if none of the software methods helped, and access to the router is impossible, you can consider resetting the network settings on the phone. This won't delete your photos or contacts, but it will forget all saved Wi-Fi networks and paired Bluetooth devices. This is useful if you want to clear the list and connect again, knowing the password from another source.
To reset, go to Settings → System → Reset settings. Select "Reset Wi-Fi, mobile data and Bluetooth settings." Confirm the action. After rebooting, the phone will be clean in terms of network connections. You will have to enter the password manually the next time you connect, so make sure that you have the opportunity to find it out (for example, ask the owner of the router).
This method also helps solve problems with authentication errors, when the phone supposedly “remembers” the wrong password and does not allow you to enter a new one. Clearing the network settings cache often solves the problem of an unstable connection and allows the system to request current data again.
Resetting network settings is a radical method that deletes all saved passwords, so use it only when other methods have been exhausted.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible see Wi-Fi password on Android 9 and below without Root?
Unfortunately, on Android versions below 10 there is no built-in function for viewing a password or generating a QR code with text. Without superuser rights (Root), system files are closed for reading, and it is impossible to find out the saved key using standard means. The only option is to go to the router settings through a browser.
Why does the phone ask for a fingerprint when you click on "Share"?
This is a mandatory security measure implemented in modern versions of Android. Since the Wi-Fi password is confidential information, the system requires biometric confirmation or entering a PIN code to ensure that it is the owner of the device who is trying to gain access and not an unauthorized person.
Is it safe to scan a QR code with someone else's phone?
Yes, it is safe. The Wi-Fi QR code contains only an encrypted string with the network name (SSID) and password. It is virus-free and does not transmit your phone's personal data (photos, contacts, messages). After scanning, the second phone will simply automatically connect to the network.
What should I do if I forgot the password from the router’s admin panel?
If the standard login and password (usually admin/admin) do not work and you changed them but forgot, you will have to perform a hard reset of the router. To do this, you need to hold down the Reset button on the device for 10-15 seconds. After this, the settings will return to the factory settings, and you can log in using the data from the sticker on the bottom of the router.