How to view the Wi-Fi code on an Android phone

In the modern world, the smartphone has become our main guide to the digital environment, and access to the Internet via wireless connection is critically important. Very often, users are faced with a situation where they need to connect a new device to their home network, for example, a TV, laptop or tablet, but the password for the router has long been forgotten, written down somewhere in a notepad, or lost. Previously, the only way out was to reset the router to factory settings, which required time and technical knowledge.

Fortunately, with the release of operating system updates Google Androidstarting with version 10, the process of restoring access has become much simpler and more transparent. Now you can find out your forgotten security key directly in your phone settings, without having to download third-party apps or receive root access. In this article we will analyze in detail all the current methods of how to view the Wi-Fi code on an Android phone, using standard system functions and proven methods.

The issue of the relevance of methods is especially acute, since the interface of different shells, such as MIUI, OneUI or OxygenOSmay differ. However, the logic of working with network protocols remains the same for the entire ecosystem. We will consider not only standard ways, but also nuances that may arise for owners of old devices or specific models.

Standard method via QR code in settings

The simplest and most reliable method available to most users of modern smartphones lies in the standard network settings menu. Starting with Android 10, the system allows you to generate QR code to quickly connect other devices, and it is in this code that the password we need is encrypted. To use this method, you need to make sure that your phone is currently connected to the same Wi-Fi network from which you want to find out the key.

Go to the section Settings, then go to the subsection Wi-Fi or Connections. Find the one you are connected to right now in the list of saved networks and click on the gear icon or arrow next to the network name. A button Share or icon QR codeoften appears in the menu that opens. When pressed, the system will ask for identity confirmation via a fingerprint, face scanner or entering a screen unlock PIN code.

After successful authentication A square code will appear on the screen. Below it or right inside it (depending on the phone model) a text password for the network will be written. If the text is not clearly displayed, do not be upset, as the information is securely encrypted inside the image. You will need any third-party QR code scanner or a second camera to read this code and see a line like WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:12345678;;where after the symbol P: the key you are looking for is located.

⚠️ Attention: The QR code generation function may not be available on custom firmware of budget smartphones or on devices released before 2019. In such cases, the Wi-Fi settings interface may be cut down by the manufacturer.

Using the "Saved Networks" menu on new versions of Android

In more recent versions of the operating system, such as Android 12 and Android 13, developers have made accessing connection history even easier. Now you can view the password not only for the currently active network, but also for those networks to which the phone was previously connected, even if you are outside their coverage area. This function is implemented in the Saved networkssection, which has become more accessible to the average user.

The algorithm of actions is extremely simple: open the Wi-Fi settings and find the item Saved networks. In the list you will see all access points, data about which is stored in the device memory. Select the desired network and click on it. The system will again ask you to confirm your identity with biometrics or a password. After this, the network card will open, where there will be a button Show password or an icon in the form of an eye.

By clicking on this icon, hidden characters will turn into readable text. This is especially useful if you want to rewrite your password on a computer that doesn't have a camera to scan QR codes. It is important to note that on some shells, for example, on pure Android in smartphones Google Pixel, this item may be called differently or hidden in an additional menu Advanced.

• 🔐 Biometric protection guarantees that a stranger cannot just take your unlocked phone and find out the password for your home network without your knowledge.
• 📱 Account synchronization Google sometimes allows you to see saved networks on your other devices if the settings backup function is enabled.
• 👁️ Visualization password through the eye icon is a de facto standard for modern interfaces, making access management intuitive.

Features of the interfaces of Xiaomi, Samsung and other brands

Smartphone manufacturers often modify the standard Android interface, adding their own unique features or, conversely, hiding some functions deep in the menu. Understanding these differences will help you find the desired button faster. For example, in the shell MIUI from the company Xiaomi the process is somewhat different from stock Android.

On Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, the button for viewing the password is often located immediately on the main Wi-Fi settings screen. Just click on the name of the active network, and the QR code will appear instantly, sometimes even without asking for an unlock password, if strict restrictions are not set in the security settings. In devices Samsung with a shell One UI the path can be through the menu Additional inside the connection settings, where you need to select the item QR code.

Owners smartphones Huawei and Honor with a shell EMUI or Magic UI the situation is similar: you need to go to the Wi-Fi settings, click on the active network and select the option Share. However, it is worth considering that on some older models of these brands, the password viewing function may have been removed for security reasons or due to restrictions in licensing agreements of that time.

Smartphone brand	Shell	Path to settings	Nuances
Xiaomi / Redmi	MIUI / HyperOS	Settings -> Wi-Fi -> Tap on network	The QR code is visible immediately, the password is often written under it
Samsung	One UI	Settings -> Connections -> Wi-Fi -> Gear	You may need to scroll down for the "Share" button
Google Pixel	Stock Android	Settings -> Network and Internet -> Wi-Fi	Strongly require biometrics before showing code
Realme / OPPO	ColorOS / Realme UI	Settings -> Wi-Fi -> Tap on network	The interface is similar to MIUI, there is a "Share" button

⚠️ Attention: Interfaces are updated with each firmware version. If you do not find the described items, try using the search inside the phone settings by entering the word "Wi-Fi" or "QR".

Methods for Android 9 and older versions

If your smartphone is running Android 9 Pie or earlier versions, the situation becomes more complicated. In these versions of the system, the function of native viewing of passwords and generating QR codes was missing as a class. Users had to look for workarounds, which often required having root access (superuser rights).

Without root access, viewing the password on older devices is almost impossible through the standard interface. The only legal way is to log into the web interface of the router itself. To do this, you need to know the IP address of the gateway (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1), enter it in the browser and log in to the router control panel. There, in the wireless network section (Wireless Security), the password is displayed in clear text.

For advanced users with superuser rights, there were special file managers, such as Root Explorer or RE Manager. They allowed you to go to the system directory /data/misc/wifi/ and open the file wpa_supplicant.conf. This text file stores all saved networks and passwords for them in their pure form. However, obtaining root access is a risky procedure that can void the warranty and damage the device if done incorrectly.

What are root access and is it worth getting them?

root access give full control over the Android file system, allowing you to delete system applications and change any settings. However, this will void the warranty, make the phone vulnerable to viruses and can lead to the device being bricked if an error occurs. To simply view the password on a modern phone, this is not necessary.

Viewing the password through a computer and the command line

Sometimes it is easier to find out the password not on the phone, but on the computer to which the smartphone was previously connected, or using the phone as an intermediary for entering data into the PC. If you have a Windows laptop that has ever connected to the same Wi-Fi network, you can extract the password using the operating system without any additional apps.

To do this, open the command line (cmd) as an administrator. Enter the command netsh wlan show profilesto see a list of all saved networks. Then select the desired network and enter the command netsh wlan show profile name="Network_Name" key=clear. In the "Security Settings" block there will be a line "Key Content", where the password is indicated.

This method is useful because it does not depend on the version of Android on your phone. You can use your phone just to connect to the network, and then, if you have synchronization or you have entered this password on your PC before, find it out through your computer. There are also apps for managing Wi-Fi on a PC that can export connection profiles along with passwords in a convenient format.

• 💻 Windows Command Line - a powerful tool that stores data about all ever connected wireless networks if the profile has not been deleted manually.
• 🔄 Profile synchronization between devices on the same Microsoft account allows you to automatically connect to networks on different laptops without re-entering the key.
• 🛡️ Data security This method is higher, since you do not use dubious applications from third-party sources on your mobile device.

Third-party applications and security measures

In the Google Play store you can find hundreds of applications that promise to show your Wi-Fi password in one click. However, such apps should be treated with extreme caution. Most of them either do not work without root access, or are data collectors, or simply show ads without performing their stated functions.

Applications like WiFi Password Viewer can indeed work, but only if full access to the system is obtained on the device. Installing such apps on a regular phone without root access often only results in you allowing an unknown developer access to your network settings and connection history. This creates a potential threat of data leakage about your home and work networks.

Instead of using dubious software, it is better to use built-in tools or the QR code method, which is the safest and most legal. If you still decide to use third-party software, carefully read reviews and check the permissions that the application requests during installation. Never enter your personal data in applications with low ratings.

⚠️ Attention: Downloading applications for hacking or viewing passwords from unverified sources can lead to infection of the phone with Trojans that steal banking data and passwords from social networks.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Can I see the Wi-Fi password if I am not currently connected to this network?

Yes, on Android 12 and later in the section “Saved networks” you can select any network from the list that you have connected to previously and view the password, even if you are far from the router. On older versions, this function is often not available without a connection.

What to do if the password is not written in text under the QR code?

Take a screenshot of the screen with the QR code. Then open this screenshot through the Google Photos app or any QR code scanner. The application will recognize the code and show a text line in which your password will be indicated after the "P:" symbol.

Why does the phone ask for a fingerprint when trying to view the password?

This is a security measure introduced by Google and smartphone manufacturers. It prevents unauthorized people from accessing confidential information about your networks if they gain access to an unlocked phone.

Is it possible to find out the password for someone else's Wi-Fi using these methods?

No, these methods only work for networks to which your phone has already been connected before and has stored data about them in its memory. It is impossible to find out the password for a network to which you have never connected using legal methods through your phone settings.

Where is the file with passwords stored on Android?

The system file with passwords is called wpa_supplicant.conf and is located in the directory /data/misc/wifi/. Access to this folder is closed to ordinary users and requires root access to view.