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

A forgotten Wi-Fi password blocks the connection of a new gadget to the home network, but owners of Android smartphones can instantly restore forgotten data through the built-in settings menu, without resorting to installing third-party utilities or obtaining root access, if the operating system version supports the function of viewing security keys.

If you use a smartphone with a version of the system Android 10 and higher, the process becomes extremely simple and intuitive thanks to the QR code generation function. In older versions, for example Android 9 Pie or lower, the security system does not allow you to view stored keys in clear text without obtaining root access. We will consider all current methods, from standard settings to using the console, so that you can restore access to your network in any situation.

The key success factor is having an active connection to the network or saving its profile in the phone memory. If a network has been deleted from the list of saved ones, it is impossible to restore its key using standard means. In this case, you will need to access the router's web interface or use specialized utilities on your computer. Let's look at each method in detail so that you choose the most suitable one for your gadget model.

Viewing the password through the settings of Android 10 and later

Starting with the tenth version of Google's mobile operating system, engineers have introduced a convenient mechanism for exchanging data about wireless networks. Now, to find out a forgotten key, you do not need to be an advanced user or install suspicious applications from unverified sources. Just go to the standard settings menu of your device.

First of all, open the section Settings and go to Network and Internet or Connections, depending on the shell of your manufacturer. Here you need to select a subsection Wi-Fi. You will see a list of available networks, and the one you are currently connected to will be marked with a gear icon or the words “Connected”.

Click on the name of your active network or on the settings icon next to her. In the menu that opens, find the button Share or icon QR code. The system may request identification confirmation via a fingerprint, pattern or PIN code. After successful authentication, a square code will be displayed on the screen, under which a text password is often (but not always) duplicated.

⚠️ Attention: On some shells, such as MIUI from Xiaomi or OneUI from Samsung, the text password can be hidden with symbols. In this case, take a screenshot of the screen with the QR code and open it through any code scanner or Google Lens to see the text.

It is important to understand that this function only works for networks that the phone is connected to right now or has previously connected and whose profile is saved in memory. If you have deleted the network from your saved list, this method will not work and you will need to use other data recovery methods.

Using Google Lens to decrypt a QR code

It often happens that the smartphone interface only shows the QR code itself, hiding the text value of the password for security reasons or due to shell design features. This is where Google's computer vision technology, known as Google Lens or Google Lens, comes to the rescue. This tool is built into most modern Android smartphones.

The image analysis process takes just seconds. You don't need to install additional apps if you have Google services. Just take a screenshot of the QR code you received in the previous section. Then open the gallery, select this image and click on the "Search by Image" button or the lens icon.

• 📸 Take a screenshot of the screen with the Wi-Fi settings QR code.
• 🔍 Open the Google Photos application and select this screenshot.
• 👁️ Click on the Google Lens icon at the bottom of the screen.
• 🔑 The system will recognize the code and display the network name and password in text form.

This method is universal and works on almost all devices where Google services are installed. It's especially useful if you need to transfer the password to another device that doesn't have a screen to scan, such as a game console or TV with a remote control. Just copy the recognized text and enter it manually.

Viewing saved networks on older versions of Android

Owners of devices with lower system versions Android 10 face more serious restrictions. Google's security policy at the time did not allow applications or the user to access files containing encryption keys without special privileges. The file wpa_supplicant.conf, where all the data is stored, was reliably protected from reading.

The only legal way to view the password on such devices was to obtain root access. This is a procedure for unlocking superuser rights, which gives complete control over the file system. However, it is worth noting that obtaining root access will void the warranty for the device and can lead to unstable system operation or data loss if done incorrectly.

If you still decide to take this step, you will need a file manager that supports root access, for example Root Explorer or Solid Explorer. After granting access rights, you must go to the directory /data/misc/wifi/. This is where the configuration file with saved networks is located.

⚠️ Attention: Obtaining root access may disrupt the operation of highly secure banking applications and services (Google Pay, Samsung Pay). Be prepared for some smartphone functions to become unavailable.

Open the file wpa_supplicant.conf using any text editor. Inside you will find a list of all the networks the phone has ever connected to. Look for the line starting with ssid="Name_of your_network". Immediately below it there will be a line psk="Your_password". The value in quotes after psk is the required access key.

Using ADB to extract data without Root

For advanced users who do not want to root their phone, but have a computer at hand, there is a method using USB debugging and tools ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method allows you to execute commands on the device through a computer, but on modern versions of Android it also requires certain access rights.

First you need to activate developer mode on your phone. To do this, go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times on the item Build number. After this, a new section will appear in the menu For developers, where you need to enable the option USB debugging.

Connect your smartphone to the computer with a cable and install drivers adb. Open a command prompt on your PC and enter the command to enter the device shell. If you have root privileges, the command will look like this:

adb shell
su
cat /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf

If you do not have root privileges, this command will return an access error. However, on some devices with certain firmware, you can try to backup your Wi-Fi settings using the command backupand then analyze the resulting file on your computer. This is a complex path that requires deep knowledge of the Android structure.

What to do if ADB does not see the device?

Make sure that a window appears on the phone screen asking you to allow debugging from this computer. Click "Always Allow" and "OK". Also try replacing the USB cable, as some cables only support charging, but not data transfer.

Logging into the router's web interface

If the phone is not connected to the network or the password is not displayed in any of the ways, the most reliable option is logging into the settings of the router itself. All wireless network data is stored in its non-volatile memory. To do this, you will need any browser and device connected to the router (even without the Internet, as long as there is a local connection).

In the address bar of the browser, enter the IP address of the gateway. Most often this is 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. The exact address can be found in the Wi-Fi settings on your phone in the “Details” or “Gateway” sections. After going to the address, the system will ask for the administrator's login and password.

By default, this data is often indicated on a sticker on the bottom of the router. Standard combinations: admin/admin, admin/password or empty password. If you changed them earlier and forgot, you will need to reset the router to factory settings using the button Reset.

Manufacturer	Standard IP	Default login	Default password
TP-Link	192.168.0.1	admin	admin
ASUS	192.168.1.1	admin	admin
D-Link	192.168.0.1	admin	(empty)
Xiaomi	192.168.31.1	admin	(set during setup)
Zyxel	192.168.1.1	admin	1234

After successful login, find the section Wireless, Wi-Fi or Wireless network. In the security subsection (Security) you will see a field Wireless Password, Pre-Shared Key or Password. Usually it is hidden by asterisks, but there is often a “Show” button nearby or the ability to simply copy it. This is the most reliable method, regardless of the Android version.

Specialized applications and security measures

In the store Google Play you can find hundreds of applications that promise to show Wi-Fi passwords with one click. However, they should be treated with extreme caution. Most of these apps either do not work without root access, or are collectors of advertising garbage and user personal data.

Applications that actually work on older versions of Android (up to version 9) use system vulnerabilities or require full access to the file system. Installing such software on a modern phone with the latest security version is useless and potentially dangerous. Attackers can use them to steal saved passwords from other networks.

• 🚫 Avoid applications with names like "WiFi Password Hacker" or "Show All Passwords".
• ✅ Use only official system settings or trusted file managers.
• 🛡️ Change the password on your router regularly to minimize the risks in case of a leak.

If you are forced to use third-party software to restore access to an old device, choose open source apps with a high rating, for example WiFi Password Viewer (requires Root). But remember: the best protection is to use the built-in features of Android 10+ and store your passwords in a Google password manager.

⚠️ Attention: Router interfaces and Android settings menus may differ depending on the manufacturer and firmware version. If you do not find the item described, look for a similar one or refer to the official documentation of your model.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to find out the Wi-Fi password if the phone is not connected to it?

No, using standard Android tools, look up the password for a network to which the phone has never been connected or whose profile was deleted is impossible. In this case, only logging into the router settings through a browser or resetting the router to factory settings will help (which will delete all current configurations).

Why is the password text not displayed under the QR code?

This is a feature of your smartphone shell. Some manufacturers (for example, Xiaomi in older versions of MIUI or Huawei) hide the text for security reasons. In this case, use a screenshot and the Google Lens application to decipher the code.

Is it safe to give root access to applications to view passwords?

Granting root access to third-party applications reduces the overall level of security of the device. A malicious application with superuser rights can gain access to all your data, including banking applications. Use this method only at your own peril and risk and only with proven software.

What should I do if I forgot the password from the admin panel of the router?

If the standard login and password (indicated on the sticker) do not work, it means they were changed earlier. It is impossible to recover a forgotten administrator password. The only way out is to press the button Reset on the router case for 10-15 seconds. This will return the factory settings, but will also reset the Wi-Fi network name and password to the ones shown on the sticker.

Does this method work on iPhone?

No, these instructions are for Android only. On iOS (iPhone), you cannot view the Wi-Fi password in the phone settings even with jailbreak using simple methods. However, if you have a Mac with the same iCloud account, you can view the password in Keychain on your computer.