The inability to connect a new gadget or provide access to guests due to a forgotten home network security key requires an immediate solution, which is now available directly in the interface of modern Android smartphones, eliminating the need to look for old entries or go into the router settings.
The ability to find out security key Depends on the version of the operating system and the model of your device. Since Android 10Google has introduced a native online credentials viewer feature that works on most certified devices. If you have an older version of software or specific firmware, you may need alternative methods, which we will discuss in detail in this article.
Below we will look at all the current methods for recovering a forgotten password, from standard settings to using the console. It is important to understand that to perform most operations you will need access to a device that is already connected to this network or has previously connected to it.
Viewing the password through the standard settings of Android 10 and later
The simplest and most secure method is available to users whose devices are running Android 10, Android 11, Android 12 and later versions. The system developers have made it possible to display saved networks in the form of a list, where each element contains information about the access key.
First you need to go to the section Settings your smartphone. Next, select Connections or Network and Internet, depending on the interface of your shell. Find the section Wi-Fi and click on it. If you want to find out the password for the currently active network, just click on the gear icon next to the name of the access point.
In the menu that opens you will see a button Share or icon QR code. Tap it and the system will ask you to verify your identity using your fingerprint, facial recognition, or screen unlock PIN. After successful authentication, a QR code will appear on the screen for connecting other devices.
⚠️ Attention: On some smartphone models (for example, older versions of MIUI or EMUI shells), the password text may be hidden under the QR code. In this case, take a screenshot of the screen and open the image through any QR code scanner or Google Lens to see a text line with a password.
Under the pattern lock, a text line with the words “Password” or “Network Key” is often displayed. This is the desired combination of symbols. You can copy it manually or use the copy function if it is provided by your manufacturer's interface.
Native password viewing is only available on devices with Android 10 and higher, where the manufacturer has not blocked this function at the firmware level.
Using a QR code to retrieve data
If the text password is not displayed under QR code in the settings, don't be upset. The QR code itself contains all the necessary information to connect, including the network SSID and authentication string. This data can be easily read using third-party tools.
Take a screenshot of the screen with the QR code that the system generates in the Wi-Fi menu. Then open the application Google Photos or any other gallery that supports Google Lens. Select the photo you took and click on the image analysis button. The system will automatically recognize the code and show a pop-up window with data.
- 📱 Open Wi-Fi settings and click on the active network.
- 📸 Take a screenshot of the screen with the QR code.
- 🔍 Launch Google Lens and select this screenshot.
- 📋 Copy the displayed password text to the clipboard.
In some cases, Google Lens may immediately prompt you to connect to the network without explicitly showing the password. Then you can use specialized QR decoder applications from the Play Market, which output “raw” code data in text form. The search string usually has the format WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:MyPassword;;, where after P: your password is located.
If you do not have Google Lens, install any free "QR Scanner" application from the application store - the principle of operation is identical to decrypting Wi-Fi codes.
Checking saved networks in the settings menu
On devices with “pure” Android or similar shells, there is a convenient list of saved networks. This allows you to view the password not only from the current access point, but also from those that you connected to in the past, even if you are now outside their coverage area.
Go to Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi. Scroll down the screen to Saved networks. A list of all access points known to your phone will be displayed here. Click on any of them to see connection details.
The interface may vary depending on the brand. For example, on Samsung Galaxy you need to click on the gear icon, and on Xiaomi - just tap on the name of the network. If the device supports the function, you will see a button to view the password after passing the biometric verification.
| Smartphone brand | Path to settings | Display features |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung | Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi | The "QR code" button at the bottom of the screen |
| Xiaomi / Redmi | Settings → Wi-Fi → Tap on network | The password is often hidden under the QR, you need screenshot |
| Google Pixel | Settings → Network and Internet → Internet | Direct display of the password under the code |
| Realme / Oppo | Settings → Wi-Fi → Tap on network | Password required unlocking the screen |
It is worth noting that on some custom firmware the list of saved networks may be trimmed or hidden by the manufacturer for security purposes. In such cases, you can’t rely on the standard menu, and you need to move on to more advanced methods.
Using the ADB console without root access
For users who do not want to obtain superuser rights, but still have access to the computer, there is a method via USB debugging. This method allows you to pull out a configuration file with passwords using platform tools Android Debug Bridge (ADB).
First you need to activate developer mode on your phone. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the item Build number seven times until a notification appears indicating that you have become a developer. Then in the menu For developers enable the option USB debugging.
Connect your smartphone to your PC via cable. On your computer, open a command prompt in the ADB installation folder and enter the following command to access the Wi-Fi configuration file:
adb shell cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xmlIf the command is successful, you will see the output of an XML file containing a list of all networks. Look for tags <SSID> for the name of the network and <PreSharedKey>, inside which your password will be written in clear text. Please note that on Android 10 and above, access to this file may be restricted even for ADB without additional privileges.
⚠️ Note: The interface and availability of configuration files changes with each Android update. If the command returns the error "Permission denied", then your version of the system is blocking direct access to system partitions without Root.
This method requires minimal technical knowledge, but it is much safer than installing dubious applications from unverified sources. You do not violate the device warranty and do not risk data security, since you do not give third-party software full access to the system.
What to do if ADB does not see the device?
Make sure that a window appears on the phone screen asking “Allow debugging from this computer.” Click "Always Allow" and confirm the action. Also try replacing the USB cable, as some cables only support charging.
Viewing passwords on devices with root access
If your device has received Root access (superuser rights), the task is simplified to the maximum. You get full control over the file system and can read any configuration files, including encrypted password stores.
To view, you will need a file manager with Root support, for example Root Explorer or Solid Explorer. Give the application superuser rights the first time you launch it. Then follow the path /data/misc/wifi/.
In this directory, find the file wpa_supplicant.conf (on older versions of Android) or WifiConfigStore.xml (on new ones). Open the file with the built-in text editor. You will see a list of blocks where each network has a corresponding parameter psk="your_password".
- 🔓 Make sure that root access is set on the device.
- 📂 Download a file manager with support for system partitions.
- 📝 Go to directory
/data/misc/wifi/. - 👁️ Open the configuration file and find the psk tag.
There are also specialized applications like Wi-Fi Password Viewerthat automate this process. They scan the system file and display a list of all networks with passwords in a user-friendly interface. However, the use of such apps requires extreme caution and trust in the developer.
☑️ Preparing to obtain Root
Frequent questions and problems during recovery
In the process of recovering passwords, users often encounter non-standard situations that are not described in the basic instructions. Below we have collected answers to the most popular questions that arise when trying to view security keys.
Why don’t I see the “Share” button or QR code?
The absence of this function is most often associated with an Android version below 10 or with restrictions imposed by the smartphone manufacturer in a particular model. Also check if the QR code generation function is disabled in the advanced Wi-Fi settings.
Is it possible to find out the password for someone else's Wi-Fi network that I have not connected to?
No, it is impossible. Android stores only those passwords that were successfully entered and used to connect on a given device. It is impossible to view keys for networks to which the phone has never been connected without hacking the router.
Is it safe to use applications to view passwords?
Applications that require root access is potentially dangerous, as they gain full control over your device. Use only proven software with a high rating and a large number of reviews, or resort to the manual method through a file manager.
What to do if the password in the file is encrypted?
On modern versions of Android, passwords can be stored in encrypted form, tied to the device’s hardware key. In this case, it is almost impossible to decrypt them using third-party means without losing data, and the only way out is to reset the network or router settings.
⚠️ Attention: Settings interfaces and system capabilities are constantly updated. If the described paths do not match your menu, check the official documentation of your smartphone manufacturer or search for information on a specific model on the Internet.