Where to view saved Wi-Fi passwords on Android: 5 ways

Forgot your home Wi-Fi password, and the sticker on the router has worn off? Or do you need to share the network with a guest, but don’t have time to go into the router settings? On Android, there are several ways to retrieve saved passwords from wireless networks, both through built-in tools and using hidden system functions. The main thing is to know where to look.

In this article we will examine all current methods to view Wi-Fi passwords on smartphones Samsung, Xiaomi, Honor, Realme and other brands - from standard settings to commands via ADB. We will also explain why some methods stopped working after Android 10 and how to bypass restrictions without obtaining root access.

⚠️ Important: access to saved passwords is only possible on devices where you have already connected to the network. Foreign networks to which the phone has not connected cannot be seen.

1. Standard method: Android settings (does not work on all devices)

The easiest method is to look at the Wi-Fi settings. Unfortunately, it does not work on all smartphones: manufacturers often remove this option from the interface. But if you Google Pixel, Nokia or have a device with “pure” Android, the chances are high.

Instructions:

📱 Open Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
🔍 Find the desired network in the list and tap on its name.
🔐 If there is a button Show or eye - press it. You may need to enter your lock screen PIN.

On Samsung (shell One UI) and Xiaomi (MIUI) this method is usually doesn’t work —manufacturers have hidden the function. But there are workarounds, which we will talk about further.

2. Viewing your password via a QR code (for guest access)

If you need to share password with a friend, but don’t want to dictate it, use the QR code. This method works on most modern smartphones and does not require superuser rights.

How to do it:

📱 Go to Settings → Wi-Fi and select the connected network.
🖼️ Click on the icon QR code (usually in the upper right corner).
📷 Scan the code with another device - it will automatically connect to the network.

⚠️ Limitation: The QR code contains the password in encrypted form. You cannot see it in a readable format through this method - you can only share access.

💡

If the QR code is not in the settings, try installing the application WiFi QR Generator from Google Play. It will generate a code based on the saved password (if you have root access).

3. Hidden method for Samsung: Engineering Mode

On smartphones Samsung (including models Galaxy S23, A54, Note 20 etc.) there is a hidden method engineering mode, where you can see Wi-Fi passwords. The method works without root, but requires entering a service code.

Step-by-step guide:

Open the application Phone and enter the combination:
```
*#0011#
```
In the menu that appears, select WiFi (or Wi-Fi Info).
Scroll down to the block Password —the password of the current network will be displayed there.

⚠️ Attention: not all firmware support this method. If after entering the code nothing happened, then the function is disabled in your version One UI.

What to do if #0011# does not work?

On some Samsung models (for example, series Galaxy M or Galaxy F) the engineering mode is blocked. In this case, try an alternative code:

#9090#

##4636##

. If they do not work, proceed to other methods from this article.

4. Using ADB (for experienced users)

If standard methods do not work, you can extract the password via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This is an official tool from Google, but it requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and enabling debugging mode.

What you will need:

🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
📱 Smartphone with USB debugging enabled (Settings → About phone → Build number — tap 7 times, then return to Settings → System → For developers → USB debugging).
🔌 USB cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

Connect your phone to the PC and confirm permission to debug.
Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and enter:
```
adb shell
su
cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml
```
In the output, find line <string name="PreSharedKey">	</string> —after 	 there will be a password.

⚠️ Attention: on Android 10+ the path to the password file has changed. Try an alternative command:

adb shell su

cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStoreSoftAp.xml

Install ADB Tools on PC

Enable USB debugging on the phone

Connect the phone with the original cable

Enable debugging in a pop-up window on your smartphone

Open command line/terminal-->

5. Applications for viewing passwords (require root)

If you have root access, the task is simplified: Google Play has dozens of applications for viewing saved passwords. The most popular:

🔓 WiFi Password Viewer - shows all saved networks and their passwords.
📡 WiFi Key Recovery - works even on older versions of Android.
🔍 Root Browser - allows you to manually find a file with passwords along the path /data/misc/wifi/.

⚠️ Warning: installation of root access voids the warranty and may disrupt the operation of banking applications (due to triggering SafetyNet). Use this method only if others have not helped.

If you don’t have root, but really need it, try the application WiFi Password Show. It sometimes works without root, but does not guarantee results. Xiaomi And Huawei without root, but does not guarantee results.

6. Alternative methods: backup and reset the router

If none of the methods worked, radical options remain:

Method	How it works	Cons
📄 Backup router settings	Go to the router web interface (usually `192.168.1.1`), find the section `Backup` and download the config. The password will be in the file in clear text.	You need data to log into the router (usually on a sticker).
🔄 Reset the router to factory settings	Press the button `Reset` on the router (hold for 10 seconds). The password will be reset to the standard one (indicated on the sticker).	All network settings will be reset, you will have to configure it again.
📞 Call the provider	If the router is from an Internet provider, call support - they can tell you the password using the contract number.	You will have to confirm your identity, sometimes pay for the service.

⚠️ Attention: Resetting the router will turn off the Internet on all devices in the house. Use this method only if other options are not possible.

💡

The most universal methods are QR code for guest access and ADB for advanced users. On Samsung, the engineering mode sometimes helps, and on “pure” Android - standard settings.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Wi-Fi passwords on Android

❓ Is it possible to see the password for Wi-Fi to which the phone has not been connected?

No. Android only stores passwords for networks that you have connected to at least once. Foreign networks, even if they are visible, remain hidden.

❓ Why is there no “Show password” option on my Xiaomi?

Xiaomi (shell MIUI) specifically removes this function from the interface. Use ADB, engineering mode (if available) or rooted applications.

❓ Will ADB work on Android 13?

Yes, but the path to the password file may be different. On new versions of Android, try the command:

adb shell su

ls /data/misc/wifi/

look for files with the extension .xml or .conf.

❓ Is it possible to extract the password from the phone if it is locked?

No. Without unlocking the screen, access to settings or ADB will be limited. The only way out is to reset the phone to factory settings (but then all data and passwords will be deleted).

❓ Why did the old methods stop working after updating Android?

Starting from Android 10, Google has tightened its security policy. It is now more difficult for applications and users to access system files where passwords are stored. For example, the path /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml is now protected.

If none of the methods helped, check if the password is hidden in cloud backup (for example, in Google Drive or Mi Cloud). Some manufacturers save Wi-Fi settings during backup.

How to view saved Wi-Fi passwords on Android: official and hidden methods