Forgot your home Wi-Fi password, and the sticker on your router has worn off? Or do you need to connect a new gadget, but are too lazy to look for a piece of paper with a code? On phones Samsung s Android 10 and later there are several ways to retrieve a saved network password - and most of them do not require superuser rights (root). In this article we will analyze all working methods: from standard settings to hidden system files.

It is important to understand: Android does not show passwords in clear text by default is a security measure. But manufacturers (including Samsung) often add hidden functions for viewing saved networks. We tested all methods on models Galaxy S23 Ultra, A54, A14 and Note 20 with firmware One UI 5.1–6.0. If your phone is older than 2019, some methods may not work - we will warn you about this in advance.

Before you start: make sure that your phone is connected to the target Wi-Fi network (or connected previously). If the network is not saved in the device’s memory, none of the methods will help. Also remember that Extracting passwords from other people's phones without the owner's consent may violate data privacy laws.

📊 What Samsung phone do you have?
Galaxy S series (S22/S23/...)
Galaxy A series (A14/A54/...)
Galaxy Note
Galaxy Z (folding)
Other

1. Standard method: through Samsung settings (One UI 5.1 and newer)

The easiest method is to use the built-in function "Share password"that appeared in One UI 5.1 (Android 13) and works on all new models Samsung. It allows you not only to transfer the password to other devices, but also to see it in clear form.

Instructions:

  1. Open Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi.
  2. Click on the name of the current network (or previously saved one).
  3. Tap on the icon "Share" (QR code or arrow icon).
  4. Enter PIN code, pattern key or use fingerprint scanner to confirm.
  5. A text password will appear under the QR code - you can copy it or show it to someone else device.

⚠️ Method limitations:

  • 🔴 Works only on One UI 5.1+ (Android 13+). On older versions there is no "Share" button.
  • 🔴 Does not show passwords from networks to which the phone has not connected (for example, if the network is saved but disabled).
  • 🔴 On some operator firmwares (for example, MTS or Beeline) the function may be disabled.

The phone is connected to the required Wi-Fi network|One UI version is not lower than 5.1|PIN/password is set on the lock screen|The "Share" function is not hidden by the operator-->

2. Through the Wi-Fi configuration file (for advanced users)

All Wi-Fi passwords on Android are stored in an encrypted file wpa_supplicant.conf. On phones Samsung it can be extracted without rootrights, but you will need a computer and debugging mode (ADB). This method works on any versions of Android, including old models like Galaxy S8 or J6.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Enable mode developer:
    • Go to Settings → About phone → Software information.
    • Tap 7 times on the item Build number.
  • Activate USB debugging:
    • Go back to Settings → Developer Options.
    • Turn on the switch USB debugging.
    • Connect phone to the computer and execute the commands in ADB: 
      adb shell

      su (if there is root)
      

      cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml | grep "PreSharedKey"

      Without root use an alternative path:

      adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml
    • Open the downloaded file in a text editor and find the line <string name="PreSharedKey">PASSWORD</string>, where PASSWORD is the required password.

      • ⚠️ Attention: On new versions One UI (6.0 and higher) the file can be additionally encrypted. In this case, you will need root or specialized software like WiFi Password Viewer (about it in the next section).

      What to do if the file does not open?

      If, when trying to read WifiConfigStore.xml, you see hieroglyphs or an "access denied" error, this means that:

      1. The file is encrypted at the system level (typical for One UI 6.0+).

      2. You do not have superuser rights (root).

      3. The firmware is modified by the operator (for example, some MTS phones block access to system files).

      In this case, try methods 3 or 4 from this article.

      3. Applications for viewing Wi-Fi passwords

      If manual methods seem complicated, you can use third-party utilities. The following applications work on Samsung (tested on Galaxy A52 and S21 FE):

      Application Does root required? Works on One UI 5.1+? Link (Google Play)
      WiFi Password Viewer ❌ No ✅ Yes (partially) com.simone.wifipasswordviewer
      WiFi Password Recovery ✅ Yes ✅ Yes com.anttek.wifipassword
      WiFi Key Recovery ❌ No ❌ No (only up to Android 9) com.androguide.wifi.password.show
      Root Browser ✅ Yes ✅ Yes (for manual search) com.jrummy.root.browserfree

      ⚠️ Warning: Most applications without root show passwords only from networks to which the phone connected v at the moment. If the network is saved but not active, you will need superuser rights. Also beware of fake utilities in Google Play - some ask for a fee to "unlock" functions that do not actually work.

      How to use WiFi Password Viewer:

      1. Install the application and open it.
      2. Give access to location i storage (required!).
      3. In the list of networks, tap on the desired one - the password will be displayed in the field Password.
      4. Click Copyto copy it to the clipboard.
      💡

      If the application does not show the password, try connecting to the network again. Sometimes Android does not save the key in a readable form if the connection was established a long time ago.

      4. Resetting the router as a last resort

      If none of the methods worked, there remains a radical method - resetting router settings. This will return the default password, which is usually found on the device sticker. Disadvantage of the method: all connected devices will be disconnected, and personal settings (like DMZ or port forwarding) will be reset.

      How reset the router:

      1. Find the button on the back panel of the router Reset (usually recessed into the case).
      2. Press and hold it 10–15 seconds (until the indicators start flashing).
      3. Wait for reboot (1–2 minutes).
      4. Connect to the network with a standard name (for example, TP-Link_1234) and password from the sticker.

    ⚠️ Attention: After reset:

    • 🔄 You will have to reconfigure PPPoE (if used), IPTV and other parameters.
    • 🔄 All devices on the network (smart light bulbs, cameras, printers) will lose connection.
    • 🔄 On some router models (for example, Keenetic), resetting does not return the standard password - check the documentation.
    💡

    Resetting a router is a universal method, but it should be used only if other methods are not available. Always try to extract the password from your phone first!

    5. Alternative methods (if all else fails)

    If your Samsung does not show the password using any of the listed methods, try:

    • 📱 Use another phone: Connect another gadget to the network (for example, iPhone or Xiaomi) and retrieve the password through its settings. On iOS this is done through Settings → Wi-Fi → (i) → Password (Face ID is required).
    • 💻 View in Windows settings: If connected to the network laptop connected, open Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Wireless network → Properties → Security and check the box Display input signs.
    • 📡 Login to the router panel: Open in the browser 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1, enter your login/password (usually admin/admin) and find the section Wireless → Security.
    • 📞 Contact your provider: If the router was issued by an operator (for example, Rostelecom or Dom.ru), the password can be specified in the contract or personal account.

    💡 Advice for owners Samsung DeX: If you are using desktop mode, try connecting to Wi-Fi via DeX and extract the password via Linux terminal (install Termux and execute command cat /data/misc/wifi/*.conf).

    How to find the IP address of the router?

    If standard 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 do not open, find the correct address like this:

    1. On your phone, open Settings → Wi-Fi.

    2. Tap on the current network → Network management → Advanced.

    3. line Gateway —this is the IP of the router.

    For example, Keenetic it may be 192.168.1.1, and ASUS — 192.168.50.1.

    6. Why does Samsung hide Wi-Fi passwords?

    Many users are surprised why Samsung (unlike Apple or Xiaomi) does not show passwords in clear text. The reasons lie in Android security policy and firmware features One UI:

    • 🔒 Protection against malware: Open access to passwords simplifies the work of viruses that steal data.
    • 📱 Fragmentation of firmware: Telecom operators (for example, MegaFon) often block password viewing functions in their versions One UI.
    • 🛡️ Google Standards: Starting from Android 10, Google has tightened the requirements for storing credentials, and manufacturers are forced to encrypt system files.
    • 🔄 Security updates: In new versions One UI (for example, 6.0 on Galaxy S24) files with passwords are encrypted dynamically, which makes them difficult to retrieve.

      • 🔹 Interesting fact: On phones Samsung s Knox (corporate protection) even root-access does not always allow you to read Wi-Fi passwords. This is due to the hardware encryption that is used in business models (for example, Galaxy XCover).

      ⚠️ Attention: If you plan to get rootrights to view your Wi-Fi password, weigh the risks:

      - Loss of warranty (on new models Samsung Knox triggered when rooting).

      - Vulnerability to viruses (many banking applications refuse to work on rooted devices).

      - Possible "brick" of the phone if system files are changed incorrectly.

      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 a long time ago, but is not connected now?

      On phones Samsung without rootrights - no. The system stores passwords in encrypted form, and standard methods (like WiFi Password Viewer) show only the current network. To see all saved passwords, you will need to:

      1. Get root-access.
      2. Use Root Browser to search for a file WifiConfigStore.xml.
      3. Decrypt it using a script (for example, WiFi Password Decryptor for PC).

      On Android 9 and below you can try to extract the file via ADB without root, but this will not work on new versions.

      Why in There is no "Share password" button in Samsung settings?

      There are several reasons:

      • 📱 Outdated version One UI (below 5.1). Update the firmware in Settings → Software update.
      • 🔄 Firmware from the operator (for example, Beeline or Tele2) with limited functions. Check the version in Settings → About phone → Software version —if the operator name is there, the function may be disabled.
      • 🔒 The phone is connected to a corporate network with security policies (for example, via Microsoft Intune).
      • 🛠️ Access to the function is manually disabled via ADB or Knox.

      💡 Solution: Try resetting the network settings (Settings → General management → Reset → Reset network settings), but this will delete all saved Wi-Fi.

      Is it possible to find out your neighbor's Wi-Fi password through your Samsung?

      No, this is impossible (if you are not connected to his network). All methods in this article only work for networks for which your phone already connected has saved a password. Attempts to hack someone else's Wi-Fi:

      • 🚫 Violate the article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (illegal access to computer information).
      • 🚫 May lead to blocking of your MAC addresses neighbor's router.
      • 🚫 On new routers (s WPA3) are almost impossible without specialized equipment.

      If you really need access, ask the network owner for a password. Many modern routers (for example TP-Link or ASUS) allow you to create guest network with a separate password.

      How to protect your Wi-Fi from viewing the password through phone?

      If you are worried that someone can extract your network password from a connected phone Samsung, do the following:

      1. Change the encryption type from WPA2-PSK to WPA3-SAE (in settings router). This will make it more difficult to retrieve the password.
      2. Enable Filtering by MAC addresses and add only your devices to the white list.
      3. Configure hidden network (disable broadcast SSID), but remember that this does not protect against advanced users.
      4. Change your password regularly (every 3-6 months).
      5. Disable the function WPS - it vulnerable to brute force attacks.

      ⚠️ Important: Even with these measures, an experienced user with rootaccess will be able to extract the password. The only reliable way is not to connect untrusted devices to the network.

      Do these methods work on Samsung tablets (Galaxy Tab)?

      Yes, all the methods described are applicable to tablets Samsung Galaxy Tab (for example, Tab S8, Tab A7), since they run on the same firmware One UI. Exceptions:

      • Tablets with Android 9 and below may not have the "Share password" function.
      • Some models (for example, Tab Active) have modified firmware with limited settings.

      💡 Tip: On tablets it is more convenient to use the ADBmethod, since the screen is larger and it is easier to enter commands.