How to view the Wi-Fi password on Android: official and hidden methods

Forgot your home Wi-Fi password, and the sticker on your router has worn off? Or do you need to connect a new device, but are too lazy to look for a piece of paper with the code? On an Android smartphone, there are several ways to retrieve a saved network password - both through standard settings and using hidden system functions. The main thing is to know where to look.

In this article we will look at 5 proven methodsthat work on most devices: from Samsung Galaxy to Xiaomi Redmi i Google Pixel. Some methods require superuser rights (ROOT), but there are also universal solutions without additional apps. Important: on devices with Android 10+, access to passwords may be limited by the manufacturer - check your option in the instructions below.

Before you start, make sure that your smartphone already connected to the target Wi-Fi network - otherwise the system will not be able to show the saved password. If the network is not in the list of connected ones, try methods with ADB or ROOTaccess.

1. Standard method through Android settings (without ROOT)

The simplest method is to use the built-in tools of the system. It works on pure Android (for example, Pixel, Nokia, Motorola) and some custom shells like One UI from Samsung. The main condition: the device must be already connected to the desired Wi-Fi network.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open Settings → Network and Internet (or Connections on Samsung).
• 🔗 Tap on the name of the current Wi-Fi network (there will be inscription Connected).
• 🔑 Press Share (or Share on English firmware).
• 🔐 System will request PIN code, graphic key or fingerprint —enter it.
• 📋 A line will appear under the QR code Password network —this is your key.

⚠️ Attention: On devices Xiaomi, Huawei and some models OPPO/Realme this item may be missing. Manufacturers often remove it “for security.” In this case, proceed to the following methods.

2. Viewing the password via a QR code (for Android 10+)

If there is no button in the settings Share, but there is an option to generate a QR code, you can extract the password from it. Android 10 and newer, including Samsung One UI 3.0+ and OxygenOS (on OnePlus).

How to do it:

1. Open Wi-Fi settings and tap on the connected network.
2. Select QR code (or Share QR code).
3. Make screenshot of a screen with a QR code.
4. Use any QR reading application (for example, Google Lens or QR & Barcode Scanner) to decrypt the code.
5. As a result, you will receive a line like:

   WIFI:T:WPA;S:MyNetwork;P:your_password_here;;

   where P:your_password_here is the password.

💡 Helpful advice: If the QR code cannot be read, try increasing the contrast of the screenshot in any graphic editor (for example, Snapseed or Lightroom).

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If standard methods do not work, you can extract the password through Android Debug Bridge (ADB) a debugging tool that does not require superuser rights. This method works on Android 9 and older, but may not work on some custom firmware (for example, MIUI or EMUI).

🔧 What you will need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed ADB-tools (or use Platform Tools from Android Studio).
• 📱 Enabled USB debugging on the smartphone (Settings → About phone → Build number (tap 7 times) → For developers → USB debugging).
• 🔌 USB cable (preferably original).

📌 Step-by-step guide:

adb shell
su -c "cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml | grep 'SSID=' -A 10"

As a result, you will see a list of networks with parameters. Look for the line <string name="PreSharedKey">&#x22;PASSWORD&#x22;</string>where PASSWORD is your password.

⚠️ Attention: On Android 11+ the path to the password file may differ. If the command did not work, try:

adb shell
su -c "cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStoreSoftAp.xml"

What to do if ADB gives a "Permission denied" error?

This means that you do not have rights to read system files. Solutions:

1. Get root access (see section 5).

2. Try the alternative command: adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml (requires an unlocked bootloader).

3. Use specialized applications like WiFi Password Viewer (ROOT required).

4. Applications for viewing passwords (ROOT required)

If your smartphone has ROOT access, the task is simplified: just install one of the specialized applications. They automatically read passwords from system files and display them in a convenient form. Here are the top 3 proven utilities:

Application	Link	Features	Android support
WiFi Password Viewer	Google Play	Shows all saved passwords, export to a file	4.0–13
WiFi Key Recovery	Google Play	Works without the Internet, minimalistic interface	5.0–12
Root Browser	Google Play	Allows you to manually find a file with passwords along the path /data/misc/wifi/	4.1–14

🔍 How to use:

1. Install one of the applications (for example, WiFi Password Viewer).
2. Give root access when prompted.
3. A list of all saved networks with passwords will appear in the main window.
4. Tap on the desired network - the password will be copied to the clipboard.

⚠️ Attention: ROOTed applications may pose a security risk. Install them only from official Google Play and check the reviews. Avoid apps that ask for unnecessary permissions (for example, access to SMS or contacts).

5. Manually retrieving a password through the ROOT explorer

If you do not want to install third-party applications, you can manually find a file with passwords through any ROOT explorer (for example, Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer). This method is suitable for Android 5.0–10.0; on new versions the path may differ.

📂 Instructions:

1. Open ROOT explorer and follow the path:

   /data/misc/wifi/

2. Find the file WifiConfigStore.xml (or WifiConfigStoreSoftAp.xml for access points).
3. Open the file with a text editor (built into Explorer).
4. Look for code blocks like:

   <Network>
   <SSID>MyWiFi</SSID>
   <PreSharedKey>"mypassword"</PreSharedKey>
   </Network>

   where MyWiFi is the network name, and mypassword is the password.

🔄 Alternative paths to files with passwords:

• 📁 /data/misc/apexdata/com.android.wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml (Android 11+)
• 📁 /data/vendor/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml (on some firmware Samsung)
• 📁 /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStoreBackup.xml (backup copy)

6. Alternative methods (if all else fails)

If none of the above methods work, there are less obvious options. They require additional actions, but sometimes they are the only solution.

🔄 Methods for complex cases:

• 🔄 Resetting the router: Press the button Reset on the back panel of the router (hold 10–15 seconds). After resetting, the password will become standard (usually indicated on the device sticker ⚠️ Minus: All router settings will be reset, including the network name and guest access.
• 📡 Connecting to the router via cable: If you have a PC, connect to the router via Ethernet-cable, go to the web interface (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and look at the password in the section Wi-Fi → Security.
• 📱 Using a second device: If you have another smartphone or tablet already connected to this network, extract the password from it using any of the described methods.

📌 If you have a router from a provider:

Many operators (for example, Rostelecom, Beeline, MTS) block access to Wi-Fi settings. In this case:

1. Call the provider's support and request a password (you will need to provide the contract data).
2. Use the provider's application (for example, My MTS, My Beeline) - sometimes the Wi-Fi password is displayed there.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about viewing Wi-Fi passwords on Android

❓ Is it possible to find out the password for a Wi-Fi that you have never connected to?

No, if the smartphone has not connected to the network Previously, it was impossible to extract her password. The only options are:

• View the password on another device that connected to this network.
• Reset the router settings (using the button Reset).
• Check the password with the network owner or provider.

❓ Why is there no button in the settings "Share" or "QR code"?

This is a firmware limitation (for example, Xiaomi, Huawei, OPPO) this function is often removed "for security". Solutions:

• Use ADB or method with ROOT.
• Update the firmware - sometimes the function appears in new versions.
• Install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), where this option available.

❓ Do these methods work on Android 13/14?

Yes, but with reservations:

• On pure Android (for example, Pixel) there is a "Share" button, but it may require additional authentication.
• On customized firmware (for example, MIUI 14, One UI 5) access to passwords is often blocked - only ADB or ROOT.
• Google is tightening its security policy, so in future versions of Android standard methods may no longer work.

❓ Is it possible to find out the password without ROOT and ADB?

Yes, but only if:

• Your smartphone on pure Android (for example, Pixel, Nokia, Motorola) - use the "Share" button.
• You have QR code networks - decrypt it (see section 2).
• You can connect to the router via Ethernet and go to its settings.

In all other cases without ROOT or ADB you can’t get by.

❓ Is it safe to use applications to view passwords?

Yes, if:

• The application was downloaded from official Google Play.
• It has a high rating (4.5+) and many reviews.
• Requests only ROOT access, without unnecessary permissions (for example, to SMS or geolocation).

⚠️ Dangerous signs:

• Requests to disable Google Play Protect.
• Requests access to Notifications or Special Features.
• Contains advertising for casinos or "hacks".