An attempt to connect a new smartphone to a familiar Wi-Fi network often ends in an authorization error due to a forgotten security key, which was previously saved in the memory of the old device. If previously, in order to restore access, it was necessary to reset the router settings or get root access, current versions of Android allow you to instantly find out the saved password using standard system tools without complex manipulations.
Starting with version Android 10, Google has introduced a native function that allows you to easily share access to the network using QR code. This solution has become the standard for most smartphone manufacturers, including Samsung, Xiaomi i Pixel. Now you can find out the secret combination of characters directly in the system settings, without resorting to third-party software or complex manipulations with the file system.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the current methods for obtaining authentication data. We will consider both standard system tools and alternative options for outdated devices. You will learn where exactly the necessary information is hidden in the interface of different shells and how to correctly decipher the pattern lock if the text underneath is not displayed.
Standard method through settings for Android 10 and later
The easiest and safest way to find out the access key is to use the built-in functionality of your operating system. If your smartphone is running Android 10 or later, this option is available by default. You do not need to install additional applications or obtain extended access rights to system files.
To begin, go to the section Settings and select item Wi-Fi or Connections. In the list of available networks, find the one you are currently connected to, or select a saved network from the Saved Networks list. Click on the gear icon or on the name of the network itself to open detailed information about the connection.
In the menu that opens you will see a button Share or icon QR code. When you click on it, the system will ask for identity confirmation: this can be by entering PIN code, a pattern key or scanning a fingerprint. After successful authentication, a square code will appear on the screen, under which the password text is often (but not always) written.
⚠️ Attention: On some smartphones with shell MIUI or OneUI the password text can be hidden by asterisks even after the QR code appears. In this case, you will need to take a screenshot and recognize the code through a third-party application.
If the password text is not displayed under the QR code, take a screenshot of the screen and open it in Google Lens or any QR scanner - the application will automatically recognize and show the text string with the access key.
This method is the most preferable, since it does not violate the integrity of the system and Guaranteed to work on all certified devices. The interface may differ slightly depending on the manufacturer, but the logic of action remains the same for the entire ecosystem Android.
Using Google Lens to decrypt QR
In cases where the system generates a code but does not show a text string with a password, optical recognition technologies come to the rescue. Google Lens (Google Lens) is a powerful tool built into many smartphones and available as a separate application. It allows you to extract text information from images, including encrypted data in QR codes.
The decryption process is as follows. First, take a screenshot of the QR code you received in Wi-Fi settings. Then open the application Google Photos, find this screenshot and click on the "Search" button or icon Google Lens. The system will analyze the image and highlight text data.
Click on the recognized text to copy it to the clipboard. Typically the string format looks like WIFI:S:Network Name;T:WPA;P:Your Password;;. You need to find the part after the symbol P: and before the semicolon ; —this is the required security key.
- 📸 Make a quality one screenshot so the code is clear and not blurry.
- 👁️ Use the built-in Lens function in the Share menu for quick access.
- 📋 Carefully check the copied text for extra spaces or symbols.
This approach is universal and works regardless of the brand of your device. Even if the smartphone manufacturer decides to hide the password for security purposes, the visual representation of the information in the code remains readable for computer vision algorithms.
Viewing the password on devices without root access (old versions)
Owners of devices based on Android 9 and older versions face security restrictions. In these OS versions, network configuration files are protected from being read by regular applications. However, there is a workaround that does not require root access that works on some models.
Try using the settings backup feature. Go to Settings → System → Advanced → Backup. Start creating a backup copy of your data. After the process is completed, find the created file in the device memory or in cloud storage.
The configuration file often has an extension .ab or located inside the archive. You can try to unpack it on your computer using the utility Android Backup Extractor. Inside the unpacked structure, look for the file WifiConfigStore.xml. By opening it with any text editor, you will find tags PreSharedKeycontaining the necessary data.
⚠️ Attention: This method does not work on all devices. Manufacturers like Huawei or Honor can encrypt backups with unique keys, making them impossible to read without special tools.
If this method does not work, the only option is to use a computer and USB debugging. This requires enabling developer mode, but is still safer than completely flashing the device.
Receiving data via ADB without Root access
For more advanced users, there is a method of interacting with a smartphone via a computer using the toolkit ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method allows you to query the system for information about saved networks if you have access to USB debugging.
You must first activate developer mode. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times on the item Build number. After the message “You have become a developer” appears, return to the main settings menu and find the new section For developers. Activate the switch USB debugging.
Connect your smartphone to your computer cable and open a command prompt or terminal in the folder where ADB is installed. Enter the following command to get a list of configurations:
adb shell cmd wifi list-networksIn some cases, especially on pure Android, this command will display a list of networks with their IDs. However, viewing the password itself may require a more complex command that accesses the secure storage:
adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xmlIf the command is successful, the file will be saved on your computer. Open it with notepad and find the line PreSharedKey. Please note that on many devices without root access, this command will return the error “Permission denied”, since access to the folder /data/misc/ is strictly regulated.
What to do if access is denied?
If ADB does not provide access to the configuration file, then your firmware has strict security policies (SELinux Enforcing). In this case, without obtaining root access, you will not be able to view the password programmatically. The only way out is to reset the router or log into its web interface.
This method is suitable for those who feel comfortable using the command line. It allows you to avoid installing dubious applications from the store, which often contain advertising or malicious code.
Login to the router web interface to change the password
If software methods do not produce results, the most reliable way is to contact the source of Internet distribution - your router. Almost all modern routers have a built-in web interface through which you can view or change wireless network security settings.
To do this, your smartphone must be connected to the Wi-Fi network of this router (even if you do not know the password, but the connection has already been established). Open your browser and enter the gateway IP address in the address bar. Usually this is 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. The exact address is often written on a sticker on the bottom of the device.
The system will ask for the administrator's login and password. By default, this is often a combination admin/admin or admin/password. If you changed this data earlier and forgot it, you will have to perform a hard reset of the router using the button Reset.
| Manufacturer | Default address | Login | 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 | specified during setup |
| Zyxel | 192.168.1.1 | admin | 1234 |
After successful login, find the section Wireless (Wireless network) or WLAN. Inside there will be a subsection Wireless Security or Security. The field Pre-Shared Key or Password will be displayed in clear text. You can copy it or set a new one.
☑️ Checking access to the router
Third-party applications and security measures
In the store Google Play there are many applications that promising to show saved passwords with one click. Most of them, such as WiFi Password Viewer, require root access. Without them, they either do not work or show only those networks that you shared via a QR code (duplicating the system function).
The use of such apps carries certain risks. Giving an application root access removes protection from the entire system. Malware can gain access to your banking data, correspondence and other confidential files.
It is recommended to avoid installing applications with low ratings or from unknown developers. If an app requires strange non-network related permissions (such as access to contacts or microphone), this is a clear sign of fraud.
⚠️ Warning: Apps running without Root often simply generate random passwords or show data only for networks you connected to on this device after updating to Android 10. Don't blindly trust their results.
The best practice remains to use standard system tools or log into the router control panel. This ensures that you see up-to-date data and do not compromise the security of your gadget.
The most reliable way to find out the password on any device is to log into the router’s admin panel through a browser. This works regardless of the version of Android and the presence of root access.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I see the Wi-Fi password if I have never connected to this network?
No, it is impossible. Android only stores configurations of networks to which the device has connected at least once. To connect to a new network, you need to know the password in advance or use the WPS function (if it is supported by the router).
Why is the text under the QR code not displayed on my Samsung?
In the latest shell updates One UI Samsung has hidden the text display of the password for privacy purposes. To see it, use the screenshot and the Google Lens application, as described in the second section of the article.
Is it safe to obtain root access in order to view the password?
Obtaining root access (rooting) will void the warranty on the device and may lead to data loss if an error occurs. Doing this just for the sake of viewing one password is impractical. Use the router's web interface - it's safer.
Where is the file with passwords stored in the Android system?
The configuration file is called WifiConfigStore.xml and is located in the directory /data/misc/wifi/. Access to this folder is closed to regular applications and is available only to processes with superuser privileges.