How to get the Wi-Fi password on an Android phone

A forgotten wireless network access key blocks the connection of a new gadget or laptop, forcing you to look for a way to get the Wi-Fi password on an Android phone to restore the connection. Fortunately, modern versions of Google's mobile operating system have built-in tools that allow you to view saved data without installing third-party software.

Previously, viewing saved security keys required superuser rights (Root), which was unsafe and difficult for the average user. However, starting from version Android 10, the mechanism for working with network configurations has changed. The system now allows you to legally retrieve connection data through the standard settings menu or QR code generation. This greatly simplifies life for owners of smartphones Samsung, Xiaomi, Poco and other popular brands.

In this article we will analyze in detail all the current methods for recovering forgotten data. You will learn how to use the built-in functionality, which applications can help in emergencies, and what to do if the standard methods do not work. We will also touch on security issues and explain why some old methods no longer work on new firmware.

Viewing the password through the settings of Android 10 and later

The easiest and most reliable way to find out the access key is to use the native system interface. If your smartphone is running Android 10, Android 11, Android 12 or a newer version, this feature is available out of the box. You do not need to download utilities or unlock the bootloader.

The process begins by going to the wireless connections section. The interface may differ slightly depending on the manufacturer's shell (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS), but the logic of actions remains the same. It is necessary to find an active connection and initiate the data exchange process. The system will offer to generate a special code in which the necessary information is encrypted.

After you click on the gear icon next to the name of the network, a detailed menu will open. Here you should look for the “Share” button or QR code icon. To confirm the action, the system will ask you to enter your biometric key (fingerprint, face) or graphic PIN code for the screen lock. This is a security measure to prevent others from accessing your data.

A square code will appear on the screen. Below it, and sometimes right inside the graphic element, a text line with a password is displayed. If the text is hidden, you can simply take a screenshot of the screen and open it in any QR code reader app or Google Lens. The result will be presented in the format: WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:12345678;;. The key you are looking for is located after the symbol P:.

⚠️ Attention: On some custom firmware (for example, older versions of MIUI), the password text may be hidden by asterisks even if there is a QR code. In this case, use a screenshot and a third-party scanner to decrypt.

Using Google Lens to decrypt

The operating system does not always display the password in clear text under the QR code. In such situations, the built-in service from Google comes to the rescue. Google Lens (Google Lens) is a powerful computer vision tool that is capable of analyzing images and extracting text information from them.

This method is universal and suitable for almost any device with Google Play services. You don't need to be a technical expert. It is enough to have a saved image of the access code. This method is especially relevant if you want to transfer data from phone to phone, but cannot simply show the screen due to glare or small font size.

The algorithm of actions is extremely simple. First, take a screenshot of the QR code you received in Wi-Fi settings. Then open the Google app or search widget on your desktop. Click on the camera icon in the search bar. Select a previously saved screenshot from the gallery.

The system will analyze the image and highlight the area with the code. After a few seconds, a pop-up window will appear with the decrypted information. You will see the network name (SSID) and security key in clear form. It can be copied to the clipboard with one click and pasted anywhere.

• 📸 Take a high-quality screenshot so that the code is clear and without highlights.
• 🔍 Make sure that the Google Lens application is updated to the latest version in the Play Store.
• 📋 Copy the password immediately to do not lose it when switching between applications.

Restoring access to Android 9 and older versions

Owners of devices with operating system version Android 9 Pie and lower face restrictions. In these versions, network configuration files are stored in the system partition, which is not accessible to regular applications. It is impossible to view the password using standard means.

The only working option in this case is to obtain root access. This gives the user complete control over the file system. However, it is worth understanding the risks: loss of warranty, the possibility of the device being “bricked” due to inept actions, and vulnerability to viruses. If you're ready to take this step, you'll need a file manager that supports superuser rights, such as Root Explorer or ES Explorer (old versions).

After activating Root access, you need to follow the path /data/misc/wifi/. This folder contains the file wpa_supplicant.conf. When you open it as a text document, you'll see a list of all the networks you've ever connected. Each entry contains parameters ssid (network name) and psk (password).

⚠️ Attention: Modifying system files without a backup copy can lead to unstable operation of the Wi-Fi module. Before editing, be sure to create a backup of the configuration file.

There is also an alternative path through the terminal. If you have a terminal emulator application installed on your device, you can enter a command to display the contents of the file. This requires minimal knowledge of the Linux command line.

su
cat /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf

After entering the command su the system will ask you to confirm superuser rights. If the second command is executed successfully, the contents of the configuration file will be displayed on the screen. Look for the lines psk="your_password".

What are root access?

root access (Superuser) are an analogue of administrator rights in Windows, allowing you to change system files, remove built-in applications and access protected memory sections. Getting Root will void the warranty on the device.

Third-party applications for key recovery

If you don’t want to bother with root access, and the Android version is old, you can try specialized software. However, there is an important nuance here: without superuser rights, most of these apps cannot read the system file with passwords. They often show only a list of networks, but hide the keys.

However, there are utilities that work around restrictions or exploit vulnerabilities of specific chipsets. One of the most popular in the past was WiFi Password Viewer. It is trying to read data from the system storage. If there are no rights, the application may suggest using the “Share” function, if available in your firmware, and then analyze the result.

It is also worth mentioning applications for restoring access via WPS. Protocol WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) allows you to connect to the router without entering a password using a PIN code. Some utilities, for example WiFi WPS WPA Tester, may try to guess the PIN code or exploit vulnerabilities in the implementation of the protocol on old routers.

Application name	Presence of Root	Working principle	Efficiency
WiFi Password Viewer	Desirable	Reading system file	High (with Root)
WiFi WPS WPA Tester	Not necessary	Selection of WPS PIN code	Medium (depending on the router)
InstaWifi	Required	Automatic connection	High (with Root)
ES Explorer	Required	Manual viewing of files	High (with Root)

Be careful when downloading such utilities. Many apps on the Play Store that promise to "hack" Wi-Fi are actually adware or malware. Always check reviews and the developer before installing.

How to view the password through the router's web interface

If your phone cannot show the password and you don’t have a computer at hand, you can try going into the settings of the router itself through a mobile browser. This method works regardless of the version of Android, the main thing is that the phone is connected to the network for which you want to find out the password (or to which it was connected earlier, if the router is accessible via WAN, which is rare).

First, you need to find out the IP address of the gateway. Usually this is 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. This information can be found in the Wi-Fi connection settings on your phone, in the “Details” or “Network Management” sections. The “Gateway” item will be indicated there.

Enter the gateway address in the address bar of your browser (Chrome, Firefox, Samsung Internet). The router authorization page will open. You will need an administrator login and password. By default, they are often equal admin/admin or indicated on a sticker on the bottom of the device. If you changed them earlier and forgot, this method will not work without resetting the router.

After entering the control panel, find the section Wireless (Wireless mode) or WLAN. In subsections Wireless Security or Security settings there will be a field PSK Password or Wireless network key. Often the password is hidden by asterisks, but next to it there is a “Show” button (eye) or a checkbox Show Password.

⚠️ Attention: The interface of routers from different manufacturers (TP-Link, Asus, D-Link, Keenetic) is very different. If you cannot find the section you need, check the instructions for your model in an official source.

Resetting network settings and extreme measures

Sometimes software glitches prevent the correct display of network data. In such cases, resetting the network settings may help. Important: This operation will delete all saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth pairs and mobile data settings, but will not affect your personal files, photos or applications.

You can perform a reset through the settings menu. The path usually looks like this: Settings → System → Reset settings → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile data and Bluetooth settings. After the reboot, the phone will be “clean” in terms of connections. This will not return the forgotten password, but will eliminate configuration errors if the problem was there.

If none of the software methods helped, you still have physical access to the router. On the body of most devices there is a sticker with the factory password (if it has not been changed) and a PIN code for WPS. You can also perform a hard reset of the router (Reset button), after which it will return to factory settings, and the password will be as written on the label.

• 🔄 Resetting the network deletes only connection configurations, your data is safe.
• 🏷️ The factory password is often indicated on a sticker on the bottom of the router in the WLAN field Key.
• 🔘 The Reset button on the router is usually recessed into the case; you need to press it with a paper clip for 10-15 seconds.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to find out the password from someone else’s Wi-Fi if I am not connected to it?

No, it is impossible to find out the password from a network to which you are not connected and have not connected before using legal methods. Selection methods (brute force) take a huge amount of time and are often illegal. Applications that promise to “hack” your neighbor’s Wi-Fi with one button are fraudulent in 99% of cases.

Why is there no “Share” button in the Wi-Fi settings on my Android 11?

It depends on the shell manufacturer. Some brands (Xiaomi, Samsung) implemented this feature right away, others may have added it with a security update. Try updating your phone software. If there is no button, try taking a screenshot of the network settings screen - sometimes the system generates a code automatically when you take a screenshot.

Is it safe to use applications to view passwords?

Applications from the official Google Play store that have high ratings and many reviews are relatively safe. However, remember that they often require suspicious permissions to operate. The best way is to use the built-in system tools or a QR code scanner, since they do not require installation of additional software.

What to do if the QR code is not read by the camera?

Increase the screen brightness to maximum. Make sure the camera is focused (tap the center of the code on the other device's screen). If that doesn't help, use the Google Lens app to analyze the screenshot, as it has more powerful recognition algorithms than a standard camera.

Where are Wi-Fi passwords stored in the phone's memory?

In modern versions of Android (10+), data is stored in encrypted system storage, which can only be accessed by system processes and applications with special privileges. In older versions (before Android 10), they were in an open text file wpa_supplicant.conf in a folder /data/misc/wifi/, but access to this folder is possible only with root access.