The situation when you urgently need to connect a new device to the Internet, but the password for the access point turned on on your smartphone is forgotten or lost, occurs quite often. Gadget owners often turn on modem mode to distribute traffic to a laptop or tablet, but over time they forget the set combination of characters. Fortunately, modern versions of the mobile operating system allow you to solve this problem without the need to reset the settings to factory settings or use third-party utilities with a dubious reputation.
Previously, obtaining such information required special superuser rights, known as root access, which was unsafe for the average user and could lead to loss of warranty. However, with the release of updates Android 10 and subsequent versions, Google has introduced the function of securely displaying saved network keys directly into the settings interface. Now the task of where to find the password for an access point on Android can be solved in a couple of touches of the screen, if your firmware has not been heavily modified by the manufacturer.
It is important to understand that the methods for accessing this data may differ slightly depending on the brand of your smartphone. Shell interfaces MIUI from Xiaomi, One UI from Samsung or pure Android Pixel devices have their own visual features. However, the logic of the security system remains the same: access to confidential data is protected by biometrics or a screen unlock PIN code, which guarantees the safety of your information from prying eyes.
Standard method through settings in Android 10 and later
Starting with the tenth version of the operating system, the mechanism for storing data about access points has been changed for the sake of security and convenience user. Now the password is not hidden behind asterisks forever, but can be revealed after passing a simple authentication procedure. You do not need to install additional applications or connect your smartphone to your computer.
First, you need to go to the main settings menu of your device. Find the section responsible for wireless connections. In different shells it may be called differently: “Connections”, “Network and Internet” or simply “Wi-Fi and Internet”. This is where all the parameters related to traffic distribution are hidden. Find the item Wi-Fi access point or Modem mode.
Inside this menu you will see the name of your network and a password field. In most modern interfaces, next to the password input field there is an icon in the form of an eye. Clicking on it will activate a request for identity confirmation. The system will ask you to enter a PIN code, pattern key, or place your finger on the fingerprint scanner. After successful verification, the symbols will become visible and you can rewrite or copy them.
⚠️ Attention: On some devices with highly customized skins (for example, older versions of MIUI or EMUI), the eye icon may be missing. In this case, the password is displayed in the input field, but you can only edit it by creating a new one.
If the eye icon is not clickable, try first disabling the access point, and then going to the settings menu again. Sometimes this unlocks the interface.
It is worth noting that this method only works for the access point that is configured directly on your device. If you are trying to find out the password for someone else's network that you once connected to, this method will not work - there are other sections of Wi-Fi settings for this. Here we are talking exclusively about your personal hotspot.
Searching for a password via a QR code on the lock screen
Another elegant method implemented in new versions of Android allows you to share access to the Internet without dictating complex characters. The system generates a special QR codein which all the necessary data for connection is encrypted: network name (SSID), encryption type and the password itself. This method is ideal if you need to connect a second device that has a camera.
To use this feature, turn on the access point and find the “QR code” button or scanner icon in the settings menu. A square barcode will appear on the screen. If you point the camera of another smartphone at it, it will automatically offer to connect to the network. But how can you find out the text of the password if you don’t have a second device at hand?
Take a screenshot of this QR code. Then open any application for reading QR codes or use the built-in scanner in the gallery (many modern phones recognize codes directly from photos). After reading, the application will produce a line of text. Usually it looks like this: WIFI:T:WPA;S:MyPhone;P:12345678;;. The password you are looking for is located after the symbol P: and before the double semicolon.
This method is universal and does not depend on the Android version, the main thing is the presence of a QR code generation function in the firmware. It is especially useful when you need to quickly provide access to guests without going into technical details. However, for simply remembering a combination of characters, the screenshot method may seem redundant.
Using a computer and USB debugging (ADB)
For advanced users who are not afraid of the command line, there is a method for obtaining system configuration files via a computer. This method requires preliminary preparation, namely, turning on the mode USB debugging in the menu for developers. It allows you to extract a file that stores all the settings of the access point.
First, connect the smartphone to the PC with a cable and make sure that the computer sees the device. Open a command prompt on your computer (Terminal on macOS/Linux or CMD on Windows) in the folder where Android Platform Tools is installed. Enter the command to access the device shell: adb shell. If the connection is successful, you will see a prompt to enter commands.
Next you need to obtain rights to read system files. Enter the command su. If your phone screen asks you to grant root access to the ADB shell, confirm it. Please note that on devices without superuser rights, this command may not work, and then you will have to limit yourself to reading files from accessible directories, unless the manufacturer has blocked access to them.
adb pull /data/misc/wifi/SoftAp.conf .This command will copy the access point configuration file to your computer. Open the resulting file SoftAp.conf with any text editor. Inside you will find a line Passphrasefollowed by your cleartext password. This method is most reliable for older versions of Android, where visual viewing is not provided in the settings.
⚠️ Attention: Enabling USB debugging reduces the security level of the device. Do not leave this mode active all the time and disable it when you are not using it to connect to a computer.
Table: Features of access in different versions of Android
Different generations of the operating system offer different levels of access to confidential information. Below is a summary table that will help you navigate the capabilities of your software version.
| Android version | View in settings | QR code | Root requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android 9 and below | No (hidden) | No | Yes (required) |
| Android 10 | Yes (through the eye) | Partially | No |
| Android 11-12 | Yes (full access) | Yes | No |
| Android 13-14 | Yes (copy) | Yes (share) | No |
As can be seen from the table, owners of devices based on Android 13 and Android 14 are in the most advantageous position. They can not only see the password, but also immediately copy it to the clipboard with one button, which eliminates errors when entering manually. Users of older systems will have to resort to third-party methods.
The presence of the password viewing function directly depends on the version of Android, and not on the phone model, although manufacturers may hide this option in their shells.
Third-party applications and their risks
In the store Google Play There are many utilities that promise to show saved Wi-Fi passwords and access points without root access. However, such apps should be treated with extreme caution. Most of them either do not work on modern versions of the system due to security restrictions, or are data collectors.
Applications that require root access to operate can indeed read system configuration files. Examples of such tools are WiFi Password Viewer or similar utilities. But gaining superuser rights is a complex process that can brick your device if done incorrectly. In addition, many banking applications stop working on rooted devices.
If you decide to use third-party software, carefully study the permissions it requests. If a simple password viewer app requires access to your contacts, microphone, or location, this is a clear sign of malware. It’s safer to use standard system tools or the QR code method.
- 📱 Check the application rating and reviews before installing - a low rating often indicates non-working functionality.
- 🔒 Avoid apps that require you to disable the antivirus or install unverified certificates.
- ⚙️ Remember that on Android 10+ third-party applications often do not have access to real passwords due to the security sandbox.
What to do if the password is forgotten and cannot be recovered
In rare cases, when none of the above methods worked (for example, due to a firmware bug or specific restrictions of the telecom operator), the only way out is to reset the access point settings. This will not delete your personal data, photos or applications, but will return the Internet distribution settings to factory settings.
To do this, go to the access point settings and select “Reset settings” or simply change the password field to a new one that you will definitely remember. After saving the changes, all connected devices will be disconnected and will need to enter a new combination of characters to reconnect.
☑️ Actions to completely reset the access point
It is recommended to set passwords that are easy to remember but difficult to guess. Use a combination of letters and numbers of at least 8 characters. Avoid simple sequences like 12345678 or 88888888, as they make your network vulnerable to unauthorized access by neighbors.
⚠️ Attention: Settings interfaces may change with system updates. If you do not find the described items, look for similar names or refer to the help from the manufacturer of your smartphone.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I find out the password for an access point without unlocking the screen?
No, this is not possible for security reasons. The system requires proof of identity (fingerprint, face or PIN code) before showing sensitive data so that an unauthorized person cannot access your network.
Why is there no eye icon in the access point settings on my Samsung?
In Samsung's One UI shell, the password is often displayed immediately in the input field when you click on the pencil (edit). If the field is empty or hidden, try updating your phone software to the latest version.
Will the password change if I restart the phone?
No, the access point settings are saved in non-volatile memory. After rebooting the device, the network name and password will remain the same, and you will not have to configure them again.
Can I use the phone as a repeater and see the password from the main network?
The repeater (signal booster) function is not available on all phones. If there is one, then the password for the main network to which the phone is connected can be viewed in the Wi-Fi settings section (not the access point) by clicking on the gear next to the network name and selecting “Share” or “QR code.”
Does changing the password affect the Internet distribution speed?
No, the complexity or length of the password does not affect the data transfer speed in any way. The speed depends on the quality of the cellular signal, the load on the tower and the capabilities of the receiving device.