An attempt to connect a new gadget to a known Wi-Fi network is often interrupted due to a forgotten security key, which cannot be remembered on the go. Owners of smartphones based Android are looking for a way to quickly retrieve this data without obtaining root access or connecting to a computer, since modern versions of the operating system allow you to view the saved password directly in the device settings with a few touches.
In this article we will analyze in detail the legal and safe ones methods of obtaining security key from the memory of your gadget. We'll look at both the standard interface tools available on Android 10 and later, as well as advanced methods for advanced users. It is important to understand that access to this data is protected by a security system, so methods may vary depending on the firmware version and model of your device.
Do not panic if you do not see the password in the settings right away. Smartphone manufacturers such as Samsung, Xiaomi or Google Pixelmay implement the network settings menu differently. We will offer universal solutions that will help restore access to the configuration of your wireless access point in most cases.
Using the sharing function via QR code
Starting with version Android 10, Google has introduced a native feature for quickly connecting to Wi-Fi by scanning a QR code. The same function allows the smartphone owner to see the saved password in text form. The mechanism of operation is simple: the system generates a graphical code containing all the necessary data for authorization, including the network name (SSID) and the key itself.
To use this method, you need to go to the wireless connections settings. Find a network that you are currently connected to, or select a saved network from the list. Clicking on the gear or network name will open a detailed menu, where there is often a “Share” button or a QR code icon.
After clicking on the button, the system will ask you to confirm your identity. This could be an input PIN code, a pattern key, a fingerprint or a face scan. This protection measure prevents unauthorized access to confidential information by unauthorized persons if the phone is in their hands.
⚠️ Attention: On some shells (for example, older versions of MIUI or OneUI), the password can be hidden by asterisks even in QR code viewing mode. In this case, you will need a second phone with a QR code scanner application to read the data from the screen of the first device and see the password text.
After successful authentication, a square code will appear on the screen. Below it, as a rule, a line with the password text is displayed. If the text is not visible, just point the camera of another smartphone at this code. Any standard camera application or barcode scanner will decrypt the content and display a line like: WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:MyPassword;;. The security key you are looking for is located after the symbol P:.
If you do not have a second phone at hand, take a screenshot of the QR code, and then open it through the Google Lens application on the same device - it can also recognize text information from the codes.
View saved networks in the settings of Android 12 and later
In more recent versions of the operating system, starting from Android 12, the network management interface has become even more transparent for the user. The developers have added the ability to view a list of all saved networks with the ability to reveal the password for any of them, even if you are not currently connected to it.
The algorithm of actions remains similar to the previous method, but with some differences in navigation. You need to go to section Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi. Here you will see a list of available networks and a “Saved Networks” section or similar item in the menu. Selecting a specific network from this list initiates the data disclosure process.
The system will again request biometric or digital authentication. This is a critical stage of protection private data. After confirmation, you will see a detailed network card, where the “Password” field will become active. Often next to the input field there is an icon in the form of an eye, clicking on which makes the characters visible.
| Android version | Password access | Authentication required | Ability to copy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android 9 and below | Only with Root | No | No |
| Android 10-11 | Via QR code | Yes (PIN/Biometrics) | Limited |
| Android 12+ | Direct viewing | Yes (PIN/Biometrics) | Yes |
| Android 14+ | Extended management | Yes (PIN/Biometrics) | Yes |
This function is especially convenient when switching to a new device. You can alternately open the passwords for your home network, work Wi-Fi, and guest hotspot to manually enter them on your new phone or tablet. The system automatically copies the password to the clipboard when you click on the corresponding icon, which eliminates typing errors.
Using the ADB console for advanced users
For those who are not afraid of working with the command line and have access to a computer, there is a powerful debugging tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method allows you to pull out the system configuration files in which security keys are stored, without the need to obtain superuser rights on the phone itself, but provided that USB debugging is enabled on the device.
First of all, you need to activate developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times on the “Build number” item. After this, a new section “For Developers” will appear in the main settings menu, where you need to activate the switch USB debugging.
Connect your smartphone to the computer via a high-quality USB cable. On the computer where the ADB drivers are installed, open a terminal or command prompt. Enter the command to test the connection:
adb devicesA request will appear on the phone screen to allow debugging from this computer. Click Allow. You can now run the command to backup your Wi-Fi settings. In modern versions of Android, access to the file is closed even for ADB without root, but you can try making a backup copy of the settings: Starting with Android 10, Google's security policy has become stricter. Direct reading of system files via ADB without root access is often blocked. If the command returns an error or an empty file, this method will not work on your device without gaining superuser rights. wpa_supplicant.conf closed even for ADB without root, but you can try to backup your settings:
adb backup -f wifi_backup.ab -noapk com.android.providers.settings⚠️ Attention: Starting with Android 10, Google's security policies have become stricter. Direct reading of system files via ADB without root access is often blocked. If the command returns an error or an empty file, this method will not work on your device without gaining root privileges.
If the backup was created successfully, its contents need to be analyzed. The file is in a binary format, so to view passwords it must be unpacked using special utilities or converted to XML. Inside you will find entries like SSID and PreSharedKey, where your key will be stored.
What to do if ADB does not see the device?
Make sure you have the correct USB driver installed for your phone brand (for example, Samsung USB Drivers or Google USB Driver). Try a different USB cable, preferably the original one, and a different USB port on your computer. Also check if the “Charge Only” mode is enabled in the USB connection settings on your phone - switch it to “File Transfer”.
Searching for a key in the file system via root access
The most reliable, but also the most risky way is to obtain root access. This gives you complete control over the Android file system, allowing you to read any system files, including those storing encrypted or clear Wi-Fi passwords. However, it is worth remembering that this will void the device's warranty and may lead to data loss if done incorrectly.
If your device is already rooted, you will need a file manager that supports superuser rights, for example Root Explorer or Solid Explorer. Give the application root access the first time you launch it. Then go to the following path:
/data/misc/wifi/In this directory there is a file WifiConfigStore.xml (on new devices) or wpa_supplicant.conf (on old ones). Open this file with a text editor. You will see a list of all networks to which the phone has ever connected.
- 📂 Find the block
<Network>with the network name (SSID) you need. - 🔑 Inside the block, look for the line
PreSharedKeyorpsk—this is your password in clear text. - 🛡️ If the password is encrypted (displayed as a set of characters), additional vendor encryption may be used, which is difficult to bypass without specialized software.
The method with root access is the only working option for devices on older versions of Android (below 10), where there is no function QR code, as well as to retrieve passwords from networks to which the phone has connected in the past, but is not currently connected.
Obtaining root access gives access to all system settings, but makes the device vulnerable to malware and can lead to “bricking” if system files are mistakenly deleted.
Restoring access through the router web interface
If the phone cannot show the password, and you need to connect to the network urgently, it is worth pay attention to the source of Internet distribution - your router. The network security key is stored in the router settings, and you can get it through any browser if you have access to the device’s admin panel.
To do this, connect to the router (via cable or via Wi-Fi, if the phone remembers the network and allows you to access the Internet, but does not show the password). In the address bar of your browser, enter the gateway IP address. Most often this is 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. The exact address is indicated on the sticker on the bottom of the router.
You will need a username and password to enter the control panel. By default, this is often admin/admin or admin/passwordif you have not changed them before. After logging in, go to the section Wireless mode (Wireless) or Wi-Fi settings.
⚠️ Attention: The interfaces of routers from different manufacturers (TP-Link, Asus, D-Link, Keenetic) are very different. Tab names can range from "Wireless Security" to "WLAN". If you cannot find the item you need, check the instructions for your specific router model.
In the “Wireless Password / Pre-Shared Key” field you will see the current key. Here you can change it to a new, more complex one if you suspect that the old one has been compromised. Don’t forget to save the changes with the “Save” or “Apply” button.
Typical errors and ways to eliminate them
The process of viewing the security key does not always go smoothly. Users may encounter a number of problems, ranging from software glitches to hardware limitations. Understanding the causes of these errors will help you quickly find an alternative solution.
One of the common problems is the lack of a “Share” button or QR code even on Android 10+. This may be due to interface customization by the manufacturer. Some brands hide this feature in deep submenus or replace it with proprietary data-sharing utilities.
- 📱 Problem: The QR code will not be scanned by the camera of another phone. Solution: Increase the screen brightness to maximum and make sure that there is no protective film on the screen that will distort the image. Try using a third-party scanner application.
- 🔒 Problem: The system writes “Unable to verify identity.” Solution: Reboot the device. If you recently changed your screen unlock password, the system may not have updated the security cache. Try entering the old password if it is accepted, or reset the screen lock settings.
- 📶 Problem: The list of networks shows “Saved”, but nothing happens when pressed. Solution: Try to forget the network and reconnect if you know password, or use the router method.
It is also worth considering that corporate networks with a security type WPA2-Enterprise may not display the password explicitly, since authentication there occurs through certificates or login/password domain, and not through a static key.
☑️ Diagnosing the problem with viewing the password
Is it possible to view the Wi-Fi password on Android without root access on older versions?
On Android versions below 10, this is almost impossible using standard tools. The system encrypts the configuration file and does not provide access to it even through ADB without superuser rights. The only way out is to look at the password in the settings of the router or on another device (for example, a Windows laptop) that is already connected to this network.
Is it safe to use applications from the Play Store to view passwords?
Most applications that promise to show the password without root either show a QR code (using the standard Android 10+ API) or are useless. Applications that require root to show passwords on older versions can be dangerous because they gain full access to your system. Use only proven utilities with a high rating.
What should I do if I forgot the password from the admin panel of the router?
If the standard login and password do not work, and you changed them and forgot, you will have to reset the router to factory settings. To do this, you need to hold down the button Reset on the device body for 10-15 seconds. After this, the router will return to the factory data (indicated on the sticker), but you will have to reconfigure the Internet and the Wi-Fi network name.
Why is the password displayed as asterisks in the wpa_supplicant.conf file?
This means that credential encryption is enabled on the device. Even with root access, you will see a hash or encrypted string instead of the actual password. In this case, it is extremely difficult to decrypt it programmatically, and it is easier to use the method of changing the password through the router’s web interface.
Can someone find out my Wi-Fi password via a QR code?
Yes, any person who has physical access to your screen with an open QR code and has a smartphone with a camera can read this code and find out the password. Therefore, never take screenshots of QR codes with passwords and do not send them via instant messengers. Show the code only to trusted people at the time of direct connection.