An attempt to connect a new gadget to your home network or provide access to guests often ends in a dead end due to a forgotten security key, which is hidden behind asterisks on the smartphone screen. Owners of Android-based devices do not necessarily have to resort to third-party software, since modern versions of this operating system have built-in tools for instantly displaying the saved Wi-Fi password.
Previously, access to saved data required root access, which carried risks for the security of the device and voided the warranty. Today, starting with Android 10, the process has been greatly simplified with the introduction of QR code sharing. This allows you not only to quickly connect gadgets, but also visually, or using special utilities, to extract the text password itself from the generated image.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithms of actions for different firmware versions, including the standard interface and shells from manufacturers like Samsung or Xiaomi. You'll learn how to use system settings, Google Lens features, and the command line to get the information you need. It is important to understand that the methods may vary slightly depending on the specific model of your smartphone.
Standard method through the settings of Android 10 and later
Starting with the tenth version of the operating system, Google has introduced a native ability to view saved networks. This method is the most secure and does not require installation of additional software. The user just needs to have access to the settings menu and be connected to the network for which the key needs to be found out, or have this network in the list of saved ones.
The process begins by going to the section Settings, where you need to find the item responsible for wireless connections. In different firmware it may be called differently: “Wi-Fi”, “Connections” or “Network and Internet”. After entering the menu, a list of available access points will be displayed, as well as the currently active connection.
Click on the gear icon next to the name of your network or on the network name itself to open detailed information about the connection. Here you will see the IP address parameters, connection speed and, most importantly, a button to generate QR code. Clicking on this button starts the process of creating a pattern that contains encrypted connection data.
If the QR code button is inactive, make sure that the smartphone's lock screen is unlocked, as the system requires identity verification to display sensitive data.
A QR code image will appear on the screen. Below it, depending on the version of the shell and the model of the smartphone (for example, on pure Android or Pixel), a text password may be immediately displayed. If under the code only the phrase “Scan to connect” is written, you will need to take a screenshot of this screen.
⚠️ Attention: On some devices with a highly customized interface (for example, older versions of MIUI or EMUI), the password viewing function may be hidden by the manufacturer. In this case, use the alternative methods described below.
Deciphering a QR code using Google Lens
If your smartphone does not show the password in text immediately below the QR code, Google's built-in artificial intelligence tool - Google Lens (Lens) will come to the rescue. This technology is capable of recognizing text and data in images, which allows you to “read” encrypted information directly from your phone’s screen.
First, take a screenshot of the screen with the QR code that you generated in the Wi-Fi settings. Make sure the image is clear and the code is completely in frame. Then open the Photos application (Google Photos) or gallery, find this screenshot and click on the “Lens” or “Search by Image” button, which is usually located at the bottom of the screen.
The system will analyze the image and highlight the area with the QR code. Analysis results often display a line like WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:MyPassword;;. In this line, the value after the symbol P: and before the double semicolon ;; is your desired password. This is a universal data format for wireless networks.
Google Lens works locally on the device in most cases, so your network data is not sent to third-party servers for decryption, which guarantees privacy.
This method works reliably on most devices with Google Play services. Even if you have a smartphone without Google services, you can use analogues, such as QR code scanners from third-party developers that have the function of recognizing text from images downloaded from the gallery.
Features of Samsung and Xiaomi interfaces
Electronics manufacturers often modify the standard Android interface by adding their own functions or changing the arrangement of elements. Owners of devices Samsung with the One UI shell and users Xiaomi with MIUI or HyperOS should take into account some nuances when trying to find out the password.
In Samsung smartphones, the procedure is standard: Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi. After clicking on the active network gear, a “QR code” button appears at the bottom of the screen. A special feature of One UI is that when you click on the “Share” button, the system often immediately displays the password under the QR code, requiring only you to enter the screen unlock PIN code.
Xiaomi devices offer even more advanced functionality. In MIUI, when you click on a network, a QR code is often immediately displayed, and below it is a text password, which can be copied by clicking on a special icon. If the password is hidden, you can use the "Share" function, which also generates a code for scanning by another device.
| Brand | Path to settings | Display feature |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung | Connections → Wi-Fi → Gear | The password is often visible immediately below the code |
| Xiaomi / Redmi | Wi-Fi → Click on network | There is a copy password button |
| Google Pixel | Network and Internet → Wi-Fi → Gear | Required scanning via Lens |
| Realme / Oppo | Wi-Fi → Click on network → Share | The interface is similar to standard Android |
What to do if the interface has changed after the update?
Manufacturers often change the location of menu items after major firmware updates. If you do not find the item you need, use the search in the settings by entering the word “Wi-Fi” or “QR” so that the system itself will redirect you to the desired section.
It is worth noting that on some models of the budget segment, the password viewing functions may be curtailed. In such cases, the only way out is to use third-party applications or reset the router if you have physical access to it.
Using the command line and ADB
For advanced users who are not afraid to work with technical tools, there is a method for obtaining the password through USB debugging using ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method does not require root access on modern versions of Android, but does require a computer and debugging enabled on the smartphone.
First you need to activate developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the "Build number" item seven times until a notification appears indicating that you have become a developer. Then in the “For Developers” menu that appears, activate the “USB Debugging” switch.
Connect the phone to the computer with a cable and make sure that permission to debug from this computer appears on the smartphone screen. On the PC where ADB is installed, open a command prompt or terminal. Enter the command to access the Wi-Fi configuration file:
adb shell cmd wifi list-networksThis command will list all saved networks with their SSIDs. To see the password for a specific network, you can use the configuration export command, however, on Android 10+, access to the file is closed to regular applications and commands without root access. However, some commands may return some information: wpa_supplicant.conf closed to regular applications and commands without root access. However, some commands may return some information:
adb shell dumpsys wifi | findstr "SSID"⚠️ Warning: Working with ADB requires caution. Entering commands incorrectly can cause network modules to malfunction or cause unpredictable system behavior. Use this method only if you understand the essence of the actions being performed.
Unfortunately, without root access, direct password output via ADB on new versions of Android is often impossible due to increased security policies (application sandbox). Therefore, this method is more suitable for diagnosing the connection than for retrieving keys, unless you use specialized scripts that work around restrictions.
☑️ Preparing to work with ADB
Third-party applications and security risks
There are many applications in the Google Play store that promise to show your saved Wi-Fi passwords in one click. However, it is important to understand how they work. Most of these no-root utilities actually simply automate the process of creating a QR code and then recognizing it, which we described above.
Apps with names like "WiFi Password Viewer" often ask for extensive permissions to access your data, location and contact list. Installing unverified software carries the risk of leaking personal information. Attackers can use such apps to collect data about your home networks and subsequently hack.
If you still decide to use third-party software, choose applications with a high rating and a large number of reviews from well-known developers. Avoid apps that require root access without good reason or installation of additional security certificates.
- 🔒 Data security: Prefer built-in system tools, as they do not transfer data to third parties.
- 📱 Developer reputation: Check who created the application and how long it has been in the store.
- ⚙️ Requested rights: Carefully read the list of permissions; the Wi-Fi viewing application does not need access to your SMS or calls.
Remember that many of these applications require a constant Internet connection to work, which is strange for a utility that works with local settings. This may be a sign that the application is collecting telemetry or showing intrusive advertising.
Alternative methods for restoring access
If software methods do not work or you do not have access to your phone settings, there are physical ways to recover your password. The most reliable of them is to inspect the router itself. On the bottom cover of most devices, the manufacturer places a sticker with factory settings, including the network name (SSID) and default password (Wireless Key / Password).
This method is relevant if you never changed the standard password when you first set up the equipment. If the password has been changed by the user, the sticker will not help. In this case, you can reset the router to factory settings by pressing the Reset button on the device body for 10-15 seconds.
After the reset, the router will return to the factory data indicated on the sticker. You will be able to connect using this password and then configure the network again through the web interface at the address also indicated on the label (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
⚠️ Attention: Resetting the router will delete all current settings, including the network name, password, IPTV settings and device restrictions. Be prepared to reconfigure the equipment from scratch.
You can also try to find out the password through the router’s web interface if you are already connected to the network via cable or Wi-Fi (even without knowing the password, if the connection is established). Having entered the control panel through a browser, the “Wireless mode” or “Wireless” section usually contains a password field that can be made visible by clicking on the “eye” icon.
Physical access to the router and knowledge of the data on the sticker is the most reliable way to restore access if software methods on the phone are not available.
Is it possible to find out the Wi-Fi password on Android without root access?
Yes, on Android 10 and higher this is possible thanks to the built-in QR code generation function in the Wi-Fi settings. You can scan this code through Google Lens or another QR reader app to see the password in plain text format. On older versions of the system without root access, this is almost impossible to do.
Why is the password not displayed under the QR code?
It depends on the shell version and smartphone model. Some manufacturers (for example, in early versions of MIUI or on Huawei devices without Google services) hide the text password for security purposes, leaving only a pattern lock for connecting other devices. In this case, use a screenshot and Google Lens to decrypt.
Is it safe to use apps to view passwords?
Using third-party applications carries certain risks. Many of them require unnecessary permissions and may collect your data. It is recommended to use only built-in system tools or proven QR code scanners, without giving them access to confidential phone information.
What should I do if I forgot my password and cannot connect to the settings?
If you are not connected to the network, you will not be able to generate a QR code in the settings. In this case, the only option is to look at the password on the sticker of the router (if it has not changed) or reset the router with the Reset button to factory settings, and then configure it again.