An attempt to connect a new gadget to your home network often ends in a dead end if the Wi-Fi password is forgotten and access to the router settings is impossible. Modern Android smartphones automatically save access keys to all previously used points, allowing the owner to retrieve forgotten data directly from the device screen. However, the way to view this information directly depends on the version of the installed operating system, since in recent updates the security mechanism has been significantly redesigned.
Previously, exclusive superuser rights were required to obtain such information, but starting from Android 10Google has introduced the function of generating QR codes for quick network sharing. This solution made life easier for ordinary users, but complicated the task for those who want to see the text string of the password itself without using third-party scanners. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the current methods, from standard settings to advanced tools for developers.
Regardless of whether you use a budget smartphone or a flagship model, there are ways to restore access. It is important to understand that data security in modern mobile operating systems comes first, so the system does not show passwords in clear text without additional authorization or special manipulations. Let's look at how to bypass these restrictions using legal methods.
Viewing the password through settings in Android 10, 11 and later
Starting with the tenth version of the operating system, smartphone manufacturers have introduced a convenient mechanism for viewing network data directly in the settings menu. This method is the safest and does not require installation of additional software. All you need is access to the connections menu and the ability to confirm your identity using biometrics or a PIN code.
To get started, go to the section Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi. Here you will see a list of available networks, as well as a “Saved networks” section or simply a list of access points to which the phone has previously connected. Click on the network you are interested in. If it is currently active, just click on the gear icon or network name. In the menu that opens, find the button Share or the QR code icon.
After clicking, the system will ask you to confirm the action with your fingerprint, face or by entering a graphic key This is a protection measure confidential data from unauthorized access. Once authorization is successful, a QR code containing an encrypted connection string will appear on the screen. Under this code, depending on the smartphone model (for example, Xiaomi, Samsung or Pixel), a clear text password may be displayed.
⚠️ Attention: On some shells, such as the old version of MIUI or OneUI, the password may be hidden by asterisks even under a QR code. In this case, you will need to take a screenshot and have the code recognized by a third-party application.
If the password is not written under the QR code, take a screenshot of the screen and open it in Google Lens or any QR scanner - the application will decipher the line and show the password in text form.
If there is no text display, do not despair. The data in the QR code is structured according to the standard WIFI:S:Network Name;T:WPA;P:Your Password;;. You can decrypt this string manually or using a camera. This approach provides a balance between ease of use and protection from accidental (peeping) by strangers.
Using a QR code and third-party scanners
When the operating system does not display the password text under the generated QR code, computer vision algorithms come to the rescue. This method is universal and works on any device that has the function of creating code for network sharing. The idea is to consider the pattern key as another device or app.
Take a screenshot of the screen with the QR code that you received in the Wi-Fi settings menu. Then open this image using the application Google Lens (Google Lens), which is built into most modern smartphones, or any other QR code scanner from Play Market. Point the camera at the image or select a file from the gallery.
The application will analyze the data and display the result in the form of a notification or text field. In the result line you will see the complete network configuration. Look for the part of the line starting with P:. The characters immediately after the colon and before the semicolon ;are your WiFi password.
☑️ QR code decoding algorithm
It is worth noting that some specialized Network management applications can automatically read this code and offer to connect immediately or copy the password to the clipboard. This is especially convenient if you need to enter data on a device without a screen, such as a printer or game console.
Access to the configuration file via root access
For users with superuser rights (Root), the process of obtaining a password looks different and provides direct access to system files. This method is suitable for older versions of Android (up to 10) or for those who prefer complete control over the system. However, it requires an installed root access manager, for example Magisk.
The passwords of all saved networks are stored in a special system file wpa_supplicant.conf. To access it, you must use a file manager that supports root mode, such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer. Follow the path /data/misc/wifi/. Please note that the folder data is hidden from normal viewing.
Find the file wpa_supplicant.conf and open it as text. Inside you will see a list of blocks network, each of which corresponds to a saved network. Each block has a field psk (Pre-Shared Key), the value of which is your password. For example:
network={ssid="Home_WiFi"
psk="SuperSecretPassword123"
key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
}
⚠️ Attention: Editing system files in the /data/misc/wifi/ folder may lead to the loss of all saved networks. Work with the file in read-only mode if your goal is to view only.
This method is the most reliable for retrieving data because it goes back to the original source. However, rooting itself carries risks: it can void the device's warranty and make it impossible for some banking applications to work due to a violation of system integrity security.
What if the wpa_supplicant.conf file is empty?
Sometimes the system may cache data in another location or the file may be corrupted. Try reconnecting to the network again so that the system creates a new entry in the configuration file.
Using the ADB command line without Root
For advanced users who do not want to get root access, but need access to system data, there is a method using USB debugging (ADB). This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and having installed drivers and Android platform tools.
First activate the developer mode on the phone: go to Settings → About phone and click 7 times on the build number. Then in the menu For developers enable the item USB debugging. Connect the device to the PC and open the command line on the computer.
Enter a command to display the contents of the configuration file. On many devices (especially before Android 10), the following instruction works:
adb pull /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf c:/wifi.txtThis command will copy the configuration file to the C drive of your computer to file wifi.txt. By opening it with Notepad, you will see all saved networks and passwords, similar to the method with root access. However, on modern versions of Android, this command may return a "permission denied" error, since access to the folder /data/ is denied even to ADB without root.
The ADB method works without root access only on older versions of Android or on devices with an unlocked bootloader, where security policies are less strict.
If direct access to the file is closed, you can try to display a list of networks using the command adb shell dumpsys wifi. The output will be huge, but you can find a section with network configurations in it. Use text search (Ctrl+F) and look for the keyword ConfigKey or PreSharedKey. The password may be encrypted, but is sometimes displayed in a readable form depending on the firmware version.
Third-party applications for password recovery
There are many applications in the Google Play store that promise to show WiFi passwords in one click. However, it is important to understand how they work. Without root access, these applications cannot read the system file wpa_supplicant.conf. Most of them actually duplicate the QR code creation feature built into Android 10+.
Applications like WiFi Password Viewer or WiFi Key Recovery often require special permissions. They may request accessibility access (Accessibility Service) to automatically press buttons in the settings menu for you, imitating the user's actions. This allows you to bypass the need to manually navigate through the menu.
Be extremely careful when installing such software. Many free utilities are loaded with ads or may collect data about your networks. Always check the developer's reviews and ratings. The best choice is open source applications where the community can verify their security.
| Method | Requirements | Difficulty | Security |
|---|---|---|---|
| Settings (QR) | Android 10+ | Low | High |
| Root access | Superuser rights | High | Medium |
| ADB (PC) | Computer, drivers | Medium | High |
| Applications | Access permissions | Low | Low |
Frequent questions and problems during recovery
Users often encounter nuances that are not described in standard instructions. For example, on some custom firmware the path to the configuration file may be different, or the QR code function may be cut by the manufacturer. In such cases, you have to experiment with methods or look for specific manuals for a specific smartphone model.
Another common problem is the inability to connect to the network even with the correct password. This may be due to the fact that filtering by MAC addressis enabled in the router settings. In this case, knowing the password will not help; you need to add the phone's MAC address to the router's white list.
⚠️ Attention: Settings interfaces may differ depending on the shell (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS). If you don't find the "Share" option, look for the QR code icon in the corner of the screen or in the additional menu (three dots).
Is it possible to find out the password for someone else's network?
No, the described methods only work with networks to which your device has already been connected before. Hacking other people's networks is illegal and technically difficult without special tools.
It is also worth remembering that when you reset the network settings on your phone, all saved passwords are permanently deleted if you do not have a backup copy of them or they are not synchronized with your Google account (the function is available on new devices). Therefore, having found out the password, it is recommended to write it down in a safe place.
Why is the password not displayed in text under the QR code?
It depends on the version of Android and the manufacturer's shell. In pure Android 12+, the password is often hidden for security purposes. To see it, you need to scan the code with the camera of another phone or use Google Lens on the screenshot.
Is it safe to use applications to view passwords?
Most of these applications require suspicious permissions. It is safer to use the built-in QR code function or the method with ADB, since they do not transfer your data to third parties.
Is it possible to find out the password on Android 9 and below without Root?
On versions below Android 10 there is no standard view function. Without root access, it is almost impossible to view the password, since system files are reliably protected from being read by ordinary applications.
Where are WiFi passwords stored in the Android system?
Passwords are stored in encrypted or clear form (depending on the version) in a file /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf. Only processes with superuser rights have access to this directory.