Forgot your home Wi-Fi password, and the sticker on your 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 phones Samsung Galaxy c Android 10 and later there are several ways to retrieve a saved password - from standard tools to hidden functions for advanced users. The main thing: you don’t need root access or complex manipulations if the phone is already connected to the network.
In this article we will look at 5 working methodsincluding official (via Settings i Samsung SmartThings) and alternative (using a file manager or third-party utilities). We will also explain why some methods stopped working after updating to Android 12 and how to bypass the restrictions. If your Samsung is not rooted, start with the first section - it is the simplest and safest.
⚠️ Important: All methods work only for networks to which the phone is connected already connected. If the device has never been connected to this Wi-Fi network, you will not be able to retrieve the password. Also remember that distributing passwords without the permission of the network owner may violate the rules of your Internet provider.
1. Standard method: password in Wi-Fi settings (Android 10–11)
On phones Samsung s Android 10 or 11 (for example, Galaxy S20, Note 10, A51) the password for the current network can be viewed directly in the Wi-Fi menu - without additional applications. This feature has disappeared in Android 12+, but if your device has not yet been updated, follow the instructions:
- Open
Settings→Connections→Wi-Fi. - Tap on the name current network (next to it there will be an inscription
Connected). - In the window that opens, click on the icon
QR code(in the upper right corner) orShare. - The system will request confirmation by PIN code, fingerprint or pattern key.
- After authentication, a window will open with QR code and a text line below it - this is the password.
⚠️ Attention: If instead of the password you see asterisks (), it means it is already installed on your device Android 12 or later —proceed to the next section. Also, this method does not work for guest networks or access points with limited rights.
2. Samsung SmartThings: official tool for viewing your password
The application Samsung SmartThings (pre-installed on most Galaxy) allows you to control smart devices, but also hides the function of viewing Wi-Fi passwords. This method works on Android 12–14 and does not require superuser rights. Here's how to use it:
- 📱 Open the application
SmartThings(if it is not there, download it from Google Play). - 🔍 Go to the section
Devices→Wi-Fi(orNetwork). - 🔗 Tap on the name of your network, then select
Settings(gear in the corner). - 🔑 In the menu, click
Show passwordand confirm action by biometrics or PIN code.
If there is no section SmartThings no section Wi-Fi, update the application to the latest version or check if it is disabled network access permissions in the phone settings. On some firmware (for example, on Galaxy S22 Ultra) this path can - look for the tab Internet or Router.
If SmartThings does not display the password, try temporarily disabling VPN or power saving modes - they may block access to network settings.
3. File manager: retrieving the password from the configuration file
On phones Samsung (as on other Androiddevices) Wi-Fi passwords are stored in an encrypted file wpa_supplicant.conf. Access to it is possible without root, but you will need file manager rights to read system folders (for example Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
Instructions:
- Install Solid Explorer from Google Play and give it access to the storage.
- Turn on display hidden files in the manager settings.
- Go to paths:
/data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore/or (for older versions of Android):
/data/misc/wifi/ - Find the file
wpa_supplicant.confand open it with any text editor. - Look for blocks like:
network={ssid="Name_of_your_network"
psk="your_password"
key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
}
⚠️ Warning: On Android 11+ access to the folder /data/ is limited even for file managers. If you see a message Access denied, this method will not work - try the following methods.
What to do if the wpa_supplicant.conf file is encrypted?
Starting with Android 10, Samsung encrypts this file using keys tied to the hardware. It is impossible to decrypt it without root, but you can try alternative methods:
1. Use ADB commands (section 4).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and use utilities like WiFi Password Viewer (requires USB debugging).
3. Reset the password on the router (if you have access to its control panel).
4. ADB commands: for advanced users
If the standard methods did not work, and debug mode (ADB) is enabled on the phone, you can extract the password via the command line. This method is suitable for any version of Android, but requires connecting the phone to the computer.
Step-by-step guide:
- Enable Developer mode to Samsung:
- Go to
Settings → About phone → Software information. - Tap 7 times on the item
Build number. - Go back to
Settings → System → Developer Modeand activateUSB Debugging.
- Go to
adb shell
su -c"cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore/wpa_supplicant.conf"
If the command su does not work, try:
adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore/wpa_supplicant.conf⚠️ Attention: On Android 12+ even ADB may not show the password due to enhanced protection. In this case, the only option left is to reset the router settings or use specialized utilities (section 5).
| Method | Requires root | Works on Android 12+ | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi settings (QR code) | ❌ No | ❌ No | ⭐ Very simple |
| Samsung SmartThings | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ⭐⭐ Easy |
| File manager | ❌ No (but you need permissions) | ❌ Partially | ⭐⭐⭐ Average |
| ADB commands | ❌ No | ❌ Partial | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Difficult |
| Third-party applications | ✅ Yes (for some) | ✅ Yes | ⭐⭐⭐ Average |
5. Third-party applications: risks and recommendations
There are dozens of applications that promise to show Wi-Fi passwords, for example: Google Play There are dozens of apps that promise to show Wi-Fi passwords, for example:
- WiFi Password Viewer (requires root);
- WiFi Key Recovery (works on older Android);
- Network Info II (shows only technical data).
⚠️ Attention: Most of these utilities either do not work without root, or contain adware. We do not recommend installing applications from unknown developers - they can:
- 🕵️ Collect data about your networks;
- 📱 Upload viruses or spyware;
- 🔄 Slow down the phone.
If you still decide to use third-party software, follow the checklist:
Check reviews and ratings on Google Play (minimum 4.0★)
Install only from the official store
Do not provide access to SMS or contacts
Check permissions before installation (should only be "Wi-Fi" and "Storage")
Uninstall the application after use-->
6. Alternative solutions: if all else fails
If none of the methods worked, there are radical or workarounds:
- 🔄 Resetting the router: Press the button
Reseton the back of the router (hold for 10-15 seconds). The password will be reset to the factory password (indicated on the sticker of the router). - 📞 Call the provider: If the router was issued by the provider (for example, Rostelecom or Beeline), its technical support can provide the password by number contract.
- 🖥️ View on another device: If a laptop is connected to this network on Windows or MacOS, password can be retrieved via
Network CenterorTerminal.
⚠️ Attention: Resetting the router will disconnect all users from the network and return the settings to factory settings. After this, you will have to reconfigure PPPoE, IPTV other parameters (they can be clarified in the provider’s personal account).
If the phone has never connected to this Wi-Fi network, it is impossible to extract the password - you will have to use a router or device that was already on this network.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Wi-Fi passwords on Samsung
Is it possible to find out the password for Wi-Fi to which the phone connected before, but now not connected?
No. Android stores passwords only for current connections. If the network is saved but not active, you can only retrieve the password through wpa_supplicant.conf (section 3) or ADB (section 4), but for Android 12+ this is unlikely.
Why is there no Wi-Fi section in SmartThings?
You probably have an outdated version of the application or phone firmware. Update SmartThings via Google Play. If the section still does not appear, check whether location permissions are disabled - they are needed to work with networks.
Is it safe to use Wi-Fi hacking applications?
No. Most of these apps:
- Break the law (unauthorized access to the network);
- Contain malicious code;
- Do not work on modern routers with WPA3.
Better use official methods or reset the password on the router.
How to protect your Wi-Fi from such leaks?
To prevent password extraction from connected devices:
- Use WPA3 instead of WPA2 in the router settings;
- Disable
WPS(vulnerable to hacking); - Change your password regularly (every 3-6 months);
- Set up guest network for temporary users.
Do these methods work on Samsung tablets?
Yes, all methods apply to tablets Galaxy Tab (for example, Tab S8 or Tab A7), if Android 10 or lateris installed on them. The exception is some models with One UI Core (lightweight firmware), which may not have SmartThings.