Forgot the password for your home or work Wi-Fi, but it’s saved on your phone? There are several ways to extract it on Android, from simple built-in tools to advanced methods using ADB or root. In this article we will analyze all the current options, including nuances for different versions of the operating system and manufacturers (Samsung, Xiaomi, Google, OnePlus, etc.).

Important: not all methods are universal. For example, on Samsung One UI i Xiaomi HyperOS the path to the settings may be different, but on Google Pixel with pure Android it may be simpler. We will indicate the specifics for each case. Also note that some methods require superuser rights (root) or connecting to a computer.

If you are looking for a password from someone else's network (for example, in a cafe or hotel), remember: unauthorized access to networks is prohibited by law. This instruction is intended only for retrieving your own saved passwords.

1. Standard method through Android settings (without root)

Starting from Android 10, Google has added the ability to view Wi-Fi passwords directly in the settings - but only for the networks to which the device is connected at the moment. If the network is inactive (for example, you are at home, and the required password is from the office Wi-Fi), this method will not work.

Instructions:

  • 📱 Open Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
  • 🔍 Find the active network in the list and tap on its name.
  • 🔑 Click Share (or Share on English firmware).
  • 🔐 The system will ask PIN code, pattern or fingerprint - enter it.
  • 📋 A text password will appear under the QR code - you can copy it.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmwares (for example MIUI from Xiaomi or ColorOS from Oppo) item Share may be missing. In this case, proceed to the following methods.

📊 What smartphone do you have?
Samsung
Xiaomi
Google Pixel
OnePlus
Other

2. Viewing passwords through the configuration file (requires root)

If your device has root access, you can retrieve all saved Wi-Fi passwords from the system file wpa_supplicant.conf. This method works on any version of Android, but requires caution - incorrect actions with root can disrupt the system.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Install any file manager with root support (for example, Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
  2. Navigate to the path: 
    /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore/

    On some devices the file may be located here:

    /data/misc/wifi/WPA_SUPPLICANT/
  3. Find the file wpa_supplicant.conf and open it with a text editor.
  4. Look for blocks like: 
    network={

    ssid="Network_name"
    

    psk="password_from_wi-fi"
    

    key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
    

    }

🔹 Important: Do not edit this file manually - this may lead to loss of all saved networks.

☑️ Preparing to work with root

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3. Using ADB (without root, but with a computer)

If you do not have root access, but have access to the computer, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method works on most devices, but requires switched on USB debugging and connection to the PC.

Instructions:

  • 🖥️ Install ADB Tools on the computer.
  • 📱 On your phone, turn on Settings → About phone → Build number (tap 7 times to unlock Developer mode).
  • 🔧 Go back to Settings → System → For Developers and activate USB Debugging.
  • 🔌 Connect your phone to the PC and enter in the command line: 
    adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore/wpa_supplicant.conf

    If the path does not work, try:

    adb shell su -c "cat /data/misc/wifi/WPA_SUPPLICANT/wpa_supplicant.conf" > wifi_pass.txt

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Samsung c One UI 5+), access to this file via ADB may be blocked even without root. In this case, only obtaining superuser rights will help.

What to do if ADB does not see the device?

Make sure that the drivers for your smartphone model are installed. Try using an original USB cable (not all cables support data transfer). Restart your phone and computer. Enable "Allow USB debugging (safe mode)" in the developer settings.

4. Specialized applications (with and without root)

There are applications that make it easier to view saved passwords. However, most of them require Google Play There are apps that make it easier to view your saved passwords. However, most of them require root access. Without them, functionality is severely limited.

Top 3 applications:

Application Root Functions Link
WiFi Password Viewer ✅ Needed Shows all saved passwords, export to file Google Play
WiFi Key Recovery ❌ Not needed (limited) Shows only passwords from the current network Google Play
Root Browser ✅ Needed File manager for manual search wpa_supplicant.conf Google Play

⚠️ Attention: Apps without root often contain ads or ask for unnecessary permissions. Before installation, check reviews and ratings.

💡

If you often forget passwords, create a private note with them in a cloud service (Google Keep, Notion). This way they will be available on all devices and will not be lost when the phone is reset.

5. Features for Xiaomi, Samsung and Google Pixel smartphones

Manufacturers often modify Android, so standard methods may not work. Let's look at the nuances for popular brands.

Xiaomi (MIUI / HyperOS):

  • 🔄 There is no item MIUI 12+ And HyperOS paragraph Share in the Wi-Fi settings. Use ADB or root.
  • 📁 The file wpa_supplicant.conf may be located in the path: 
    /data/misc_ce/0/WifiConfigStore/
  • 🔧 On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3) the application runs MiXplorer (requires root).

Samsung (One UI):

  • 🔐 On One UI 4/5 standard method via Share works, but only for active network.
  • 🛠️ To view all passwords you need root or ADB with the command: 
    adb shell "su -c 'cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore/wpa_supplicant.conf'"
  • ⚠️ On Galaxy S22/S23 s One UI 6 access to the file can be blocked even from root.

Google Pixel (pure Android):

  • 📱 On Pixel 6/7/8 standard method through Settings → Wi-Fi → Share works stably.
  • 🔧 For ADB, use the command: 
    adb shell "cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore/wpa_supplicant.conf"
💡

On smartphones with custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience) the path to the file with passwords may differ. Check the /data/misc/wifi/ or /data/vendor/wifi/ folders.

6. Alternative methods: backup and router

If none of the methods worked, try to do without a phone:

📡 Through the router settings:

  • Connect to the router via cable or through another device (laptop, tablet).
  • Open your browser 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 (the address is indicated on the router sticker).
  • Enter your login/password (usually admin/admin or admin/password with stickers).
  • Go to section Wireless → Security (or Wireless network → Security).
  • The password will be in the field PSK Password or Network key.

💾 Via backup:

If you previously made a backup via Titanium Backup (requires root) or Swift Backup, restore the file wpa_supplicant.conf from archive. Passwords can also be stored in backups Google One (section Settings → Google → Backup), but they are encrypted and cannot be read directly.

7. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

When trying to extract passwords, users encounter typical problems. Here's how to solve them:

  • 🚫 "File not found" - check that the path is correct (it may differ depending on the Android version). Use the command: 
    adb shell "find /data -name wpa_supplicant.conf"
  • 🔒 "Access denied" —even with root, some firmware blocks reading. Try temporarily disabling SELinux with the command: 
    setenforce 0
  • 📵 "ADB does not see the device" - install drivers for your model (for example, Samsung USB Driver or Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools).
  • 🔄 "The password is displayed as dots" — in applications like WiFi Password Viewer there is an option "Show password" (usually a long press on the field).

⚠️ Attention: If you use Android 13+ with the function Private Compute Core (on Google Pixel), some system files can be additionally protected. In this case, only manual extraction via TWRP (custom recovery) will help.

Is it possible to view a Wi-Fi password without root?

Yes, but only for current active network via Settings → Wi-Fi → Share. To view all saved passwords without root you will need ADB (and not on all devices).

Why is there no password in the wpa_supplicant.conf file?

Possible reasons:

  • Network saved, but the password was not entered (for example, connection via WPS).
  • The file is damaged or reset after a system update.
  • The firmware uses a different method for storing passwords (for example, Samsung Knox encrypts the data).

Try connecting to the network again - this may update the file.

Does the ADB method work on Android 14?

On Android 14 Google has tightened access to system files. Now even through ADB you may need unlocking the bootloader or Magisk (module SQLite for Root). On Pixel s Android 14 the method works stably, and on Samsung One UI 6 only with root.

How to transfer Wi-Fi passwords to a new phone?

There are several ways:

  1. Via Google account: Enable synchronization Settings → Google → Backup → Wi-Fi networks.
  2. Via file: Copy wpa_supplicant.conf with root access and place it on a new device in the same folder (requires root).
  3. Through applications: Swift Backup or Titanium Backup (root) can transfer Wi-Fi settings.

⚠️ On Android 12+ file transfer may not work due to changes in encryption.

Is it legal to use these methods?

Yes, if you are extracting passwords from one's own networks. Unauthorized access to other people's networks is regulated:

  • In Russia - Art. 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Illegal access to computer information").
  • In the EU - GDPR and local laws on cybersecurity.
  • In the USA - Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA).

Use methods only for personal purposes!