A forgotten wireless network key on the Honor 10i smartphone blocks the connection of new gadgets, but the Magic UI interface allows you to instantly recover a forgotten password through Wi-Fi settings without using third-party utilities.
In this article we will analyze in detail how to view the Wi-Fi password on your device using only standard system functions. We will not resort to risky rooting methods that may void your warranty. All the methods described below are safe and tested on current builds for Honor 10i.
First, you should understand that access to network keys is possible only if your smartphone has already been successfully connected to this network before. The Android system stores the connection configuration in encrypted form, but provides the user with the opportunity to share this data. Let's move on to practical steps.
Method through generating a QR code in the settings
The simplest and most reliable method, available to all users Honor 10i with updated firmware, is to use the “Share” function. This mechanism generates a special pattern lock containing all the necessary information about the access point, including the password itself.
To use this method, you need to go to Settings and select a section Wi-Fi. Find the network you are currently connected to in the list and click on its name or the gear icon on the right. On the screen that opens, you will see a button Share password or a QR code icon.
After clicking, the system will ask you to confirm your identity. Depending on your security settings, you will need to enter a digital screen unlock PIN code, a pattern, or place your finger on the fingerprint scanner. This is a critical step authenticationprotecting your data from strangers.
⚠️ Warning: If you use third-party QR code reading apps, make sure they have good reviews. Some dubious scanners may try to access your browser history or contacts.
After successful verification, a QR code will appear on the screen. Below it, as a rule, the text password itself is written in small print. If the text under the code is not displayed or is too small, you can take a screenshot of the screen and open it in any application for reading QR codes (for example, Google Lens or a standard scanner in the camera).
Take a screenshot of the QR code and open it through Google Photos or Gallery - many modern smartphones automatically recognize the text under the code without the need to install additional applications.
The result of these actions will be the display of a line like WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:12345678;;. The characters after P: and before ;; are your desired password. Write it down or copy it for use on other devices.
Using Google Lens for decryption
In some cases, the text display of the password under the QR code may not be available due to the peculiarities of the version of Magic UI on your Honor 10i. In such a situation, computer vision technologies come to the rescue, in particular the service Google Lens (Google Lens).
This tool is built directly into the Google app or accessible through the search widget. It allows you to analyze screen content in real time. You don't need to save the image, just point the camera of another device at the screen of your Honor or use the “Screen Search” function.
- 📷 Open the Google application on your smartphone.
- 🔍 Click on the camera icon in the search bar.
- 📸 Point the camera at the QR code generated in the settings Wi-Fi.
- 📝 The system will automatically recognize the code and show a pop-up notification with network data.
The advantage of this method is its versatility. Even if your phone's interface doesn't explicitly show the password text, Google Lens will decipher the QR code structure and display the data in a readable form. This is especially convenient if you need to transfer the password to a person who does not have access to your phone settings.
It is worth noting that Google Lens requires an active Internet connection to work, but not necessarily through the same Wi-Fi network for which you are looking for the password. mobile data is enough. The accuracy of character recognition in this service is extremely high, which minimizes the risk of errors when entering the key manually.
View through a file manager (requires Root)
For advanced users who have superuser rights (Root) on their Honor 10i, there is a direct way to access the system file where all saved networks are stored. This method gives 100% results, but requires first unlocking the bootloader and setting root access.
Passwords are stored in a special configuration file along the path /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf. To view it, you will need a file manager that supports root access, for example Root Explorer or ES Explorer (in root mode).
| Parameter | Value / Description | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| File path | /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf |
Critical |
| Access rights | Root (Superuser) only | Required |
| Data format | Text config (plaintext) | Readable |
| Risk of breakage | High when deleting the file | Dangerous |
By opening this file in a text editor, you will see a list of all the networks to which the phone has ever connected. The information you are looking for is in line psk="your_password". Be extremely careful not to delete or change other lines in this file, as this may reset all network settings.
What is wpa_supplicant?
It is a daemon on Linux systems (which Android is based on) that implements support for WPA and WPA2. It manages wireless connections and stores encryption keys in clear text for internal use by the system.
The main disadvantage of this method is the difficulty of obtaining root access on modern Honor devices. Huawei and Honor have significantly complicated the process of unlocking the bootloader, making it almost impossible for ordinary users without official codes that are no longer issued. Therefore, this method is recommended only for experienced enthusiasts.
Checking through the router's web interface
If you do not have access to the phone settings or you want to find out the password for the network to which another person is connected (with his permission), you can use the admin panel of the router itself. This method does not depend on the phone model, be it Honor 10i or any other device.
To do this, you need to find out the IP address of the gateway. On your phone, go to Wi-Fi settings, click on the active network and find Gateway or Router. Usually this is an address like 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. Enter this address into the address bar of any browser on your phone.
The login page for the router settings will open. Here you will need an administrator login and password. By default, they are often indicated on a sticker on the bottom of the router itself (standard pairs: admin/admin, admin/password). If you changed them earlier and forgot, you will have to reset the router to factory settings.
⚠️ Attention: Logging into the router control panel is only possible if your device is connected to this Wi-Fi network. If you do not know the password and are not connected, this method will not work without a cable connection.
After authorization, go to the section Wireless (Wireless mode) or Wi-Fi Settings. There, in the field Wireless Password, Pre-Shared Key or Password the current access key will be displayed. You can not only view it, but also change it to a more complex one.
The web interface of the router is the only way to find out the password if the phone is not connected to the network, but you have physical access to the router and login information to the admin panel.
Alternative applications and their risks
There are many applications in the Google Play store that promise to show saved passwords in one click. However, owners Honor 10i should be extremely careful with such software. Most of them either do not work without root access, or are ordinary QR code generators masquerading as “hacking” utilities.
Applications that can actually extract passwords from system files without root access exploit vulnerabilities in specific versions of Android. On Honor 10i, which receives regular security updates, such “holes” are quickly closed. Trying to install dubious software may lead to your device becoming infected with miners or spyware.
- 🛡️ Avoid applications with names like “WiFi Password Hacker.”
- 📉 Do not give suspicious utilities access rights to SMS and contacts.
- ✅ Use only proven QR code scanners from reputable developers.
If you decide to try third-party software, carefully read the “Permissions” section during installation. If a simple Wi-Fi viewer requests access to your camera, microphone and phone book, this is a clear sign of malicious behavior. It is better to spend two minutes manually reviewing the settings than to restore accounts later.
Common problems and their solutions
Sometimes users are faced with the fact that the “Share” button is inactive or the QR code is not generated. This may be due to corporate profile restrictions if the phone is used for work purposes, or problems with the Wi-Fi service. In such cases, a simple reboot of the communication module helps.
Try turning on and off Airplane mode or simply rebooting your smartphone Honor 10i. This often clears temporary interface errors. Also make sure that you are trying to view the password from the network to which the phone is currently connected, and not from a saved but inactive one.
In rare cases, the problem lies in an outdated firmware version. Check for updates in the menu Settings → System → Software Update. New versions of Magic UI often improve the functionality of the Wi-Fi menu and fix bugs with displaying QR codes.
⚠️ Attention: The settings interface may vary slightly depending on the version of Magic UI (2.0, 3.0, 4.0). If you don't find the button you need, use the settings search by entering the word "Wi-Fi" or "QR".
☑️ Diagnosing a password problem
In conclusion, it is worth saying that the standard Android tools on Honor 10i provide all the necessary tools for managing network connections. Using the built-in QR code generator remains the safest and fastest solution for most scenarios.
Is it possible to find out the password if the phone is not connected to Wi-Fi?
Using standard Android tools, it is impossible to view the password for a network to which the phone is not currently connected (but which is saved in memory), on Honor 10i without root access. The “Share” button is active only for an active communication session.
Is it safe to scan a QR code with a password?
Yes, it is absolutely safe. The QR code contains only a text string with network settings. It cannot contain viruses or executable code. Only the scanner application can be dangerous if it is malicious, and not the code itself.
What to do if there is no password written under the QR code?
Take a screenshot of the screen with the code. Then open that screenshot using Google Lens or any other reliable QR code scanner. The application will decrypt the code and show the password text in the app interface.
Will the password change if I show the QR code to another person?
No, showing the QR code does not change the password. Another person can simply connect to your network by scanning the code. The access key itself in the router settings will remain the same.
Does this method work on older versions of Android?
The function of native display of a QR code with a password appeared in Android 10. Honor 10i was originally released on Android 9, but received an update to 10 and higher. If you have an old version without updates, this function may not be available.