To find out the Wi-Fi password on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones to which the device is already connected, just use the QR code viewing function in the wireless network settings. This option, available in modern versions of Android with MIUI or HyperOS shells, allows you to instantly restore forgotten access data without logging into the router control panel or resetting its settings.
Previously, viewing saved networks required special applications or availability root access, which was unsafe and difficult for the average user. Today the process is simplified as much as possible: the system itself generates a QR code containing all the necessary information, including the access key. However, if you have an older phone model or a specific software version, alternative solutions may be required. In this article, we will look at all the current methods for retrieving a password.
Do not forget that access to stored wireless network data is a security issue. If you give the device to another person, make sure you understand what data may be compromised. We will look at both standard methods through the settings interface, as well as more advanced options for advanced users who need to get a text password string rather than just connect another device.
The easiest way through WiFi settings
Starting with version Android 10, Google has introduced a feature for sharing networks via QR codes. On smartphones Xiaomi this function is implemented in the shell MIUI very convenient. You don't need to install third-party software. Just go to the settings menu, select the desired item and scan the code with the camera of another device or even the same phone (via the scanner function in the notification shade) to see the text version of the password.
The process is as follows: open Settings, then go to the section Wi-Fi. Here you will see a list of available networks, and at the top is the network you are currently connected to. Click on the network name or the arrow icon next to it. A large QR code will appear on the screen. The password text is often immediately displayed below it, but if it is not there, just take a screenshot or point the camera at another phone.
It is important to note that in some firmware versions the password text is hidden by asterisks even after clicking on the "eye" icon. In this case, the system will offer to authenticate using a fingerprint Face ID or entering a pattern key. This is a protection measure against strangers who could gain physical access to an unlocked phone. After confirming your identity, the password will be displayed in clear text.
⚠️ Attention: The function of displaying the password in text may not be available on devices with Android versions lower than 10 or on greatly reduced versions of MIUI for budget models. In such cases, the QR code will remain the only way to transfer data.
If there is no password text under the QR code, take a screenshot of the screen, open it in Google Lens or any QR reading application, and it will decrypt the line, highlighting the password separately.
Using a QR code to connect other devices
The main purpose of the generated code is to quickly connect gadgets of friends and relatives without dictating a complex combination of characters. When you point the camera of a friend's smartphone at your screen Xiaomi, the system automatically recognizes the network and offers to connect. This eliminates errors when entering manually, especially if the password contains complex special characters or case letters.
However, if your goal is to find out the password itself, and not to connect the device, there is a trick. On many phones Xiaomi when you click on the "Share" icon or when generating a code, a line like this appears at the bottom of the screen: WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:MyPassword123;;. The part after P: and before ;; is your desired security key. Remember this structure, it is universal for the WiFi standard.
What to do if the system does not show the text under the code? Use the built-in QR code scanner, which is often found in the Camera application or in the control center (blind). Point it at your own screen (you may need to zoom out or take a screenshot and open it from the gallery, since the camera does not always focus on the screen of the same device). The scanner will decrypt the link and show the contents, including the password.
- 📱 Open WiFi settings and select the active network.
- 🔳 Wait for the QR code to appear on the screen.
- 📸 Take a screenshot of this screen.
- 🔍 Open the screenshot via Google Lens or QR scanner.
Viewing passwords on older versions of Android and MIUI
If your device is running on Android 9 (Pie) or older versions, there is no standard function for viewing passwords through the settings. The shell MIUI in those years also did not provide such convenience out of the box. Owners of such devices, for example, popular in the past Xiaomi Mi 5, Redmi Note 4 or Redmi 5 Plus, will have to resort to more complex methods.
The only working method without flashing is to obtain root access. This gives superuser access to the file system where system configuration files are stored. A file with network names and passwords is usually located on the path /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf. Without superuser rights, the folder /data/ is closed for reading by any applications and file managers.
Obtaining root access (via Magisk or TWRP) will void the warranty and can lead to damage to the device if done incorrectly. Additionally, banking apps and some anti-cheat games will stop working on a rooted device unless you configure additional Magisk Hide. Therefore, this method is recommended only for experienced users who understand the risks.
⚠️ Attention: Before attempting to root, be sure to create a full backup of your data. The process of unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi erases all information from the phone.
Alternative for older devices without Root
If you have access to the router's web interface (usually the address is 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1), try logging in from any connected device. Often the password can be viewed in the wireless network settings there, if it is not hidden by asterisks or if the browser allows you to show them.
Using applications to recover passwords
In the store Google Play there are many utilities that promise to show saved WiFi passwords. However, it is important to understand how they work. On Android, unrooted apps are not allowed to read system password files. Therefore, most of these apps are either useless or require superuser rights.
Applications like WiFi Password Viewer or WiFi Key Recovery work in the following way: they request root access when first launched. If you grant these rights, the application scans the configuration file and displays a list of networks in a convenient way. If you do not have rights, the application may offer to create a backup copy of your network settings, which can then be restored on another rooted device, but it will not show the password itself.
Be careful when downloading such utilities. Many of them contain intrusive advertising or collect data about your connected networks. Always check the permissions that the application requests. If a simple “viewer” requires access to contacts, microphone or geolocation, this is a clear sign of malware. Trust only trusted developers with high ratings.
| Method | Need Root? | Android version | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI Settings (QR) | No | 10+ | Low |
| Configuration file | Yes | Any | High |
| Third-party applications | Most often Yes | Any | Average |
| Reset the router | No | Any | Average |
Restoring access by resetting the router
If none of the software methods worked, and Internet access is critically needed to configure other equipment, a radical but effective method remains - resetting the router to factory settings. On the back panel of any router there is a small button Reset, recessed into the case. You will need a paperclip or toothpick to press.
Hold the reset button for 10-15 seconds until the indicators on the case flash simultaneously. After this, the router will reboot and the WiFi password will return to the default value, which is indicated on the sticker on the bottom of the device. This is usually a combination of numbers and letters that can be easily entered manually. The disadvantage of this method is that all individual settings (network name, encryption type, provider settings) will be deleted.
After the reset, you will need to reconfigure the connection to the provider. If your connection type is PPPoE or L2TP, you will need to enter the login and password from the agreement with the Internet company. Make sure that you have this data at hand before pressing the reset button, otherwise the Internet will disappear until a specialist arrives or the settings are restored.
☑️ Preparing to reset the router
Security and storage of passwords in the future
Constant search for forgotten ones passwords is a sign that you should think about a system for storing them. Human memory is unreliable, especially when there are many devices in the house with different access keys. It is recommended to use password managers such as Google Password Manager, Bitwarden or built-in solutions from Xiaomi Cloudif you trust cloud storage.
In the ecosystem Google WiFi passwords can be synchronized between devices if the corresponding option is enabled in the account. This makes it easy to restore access on a new phone immediately after logging into your account. It is also considered good form to periodically change the password on the router to a more complex one in order to avoid hacking the network by neighbors or attackers using dictionaries of popular passwords.
Do not write down passwords on pieces of paper that are in a visible place next to the router. This is the first target for anyone gaining temporary access to your premises. It is better to save the data in an encrypted file or a special application, access to which is protected by biometrics or a master password. This ensures that even if you lose your phone, your data will not fall into the wrong hands.
⚠️ Attention: MIUI and HyperOS settings interfaces may differ slightly depending on the regional firmware version (Global, China, EEA). If you do not find the described items, check for system updates in the menu
About phone.
The most reliable way to find out the password on a modern Xiaomi is to use the built-in QR code generator in the WiFi settings, which does not require superuser rights and is safe for the system.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I see the WiFi password on Xiaomi without the Internet?
Yes, you can. To view the saved password through settings or a QR code, it is not necessary to connect to the WiFi network itself; it is only important that the network is saved in the phone’s memory. However, some online services or synchronization may require the Internet.
Why did the ability to see the password disappear after updating MIUI?
In new versions of the shell HyperOS or fresh builds of MIUI, security policies could have been tightened. The password text may be hidden by default and requires mandatory biometric authentication to display it. Check your privacy settings.
Is it safe to use applications like "WiFi Password Hacker"?
No, it is not safe. The vast majority of such applications are fakes or contain malicious code. They cannot break the modern WPA2/WPA3 encryption protocol by brute force in a reasonable time. Use only legal methods to recover your own passwords.
What to do if the QR code is not scanned by the camera?
Try increasing the screen brightness to maximum. If this doesn't help, take a screenshot of the screen with the QR code, open the image in the Google Photos or Gallery app and use the built-in "Lens" or "Search by Image" function to read the code.