The situation when you need to connect a new device to a wireless network, but the router password is forgotten or lost, occurs quite often. Fortunately, if your smartphone-based Android has already been successfully connected to this access point, the system stores the authentication data in memory. This allows you not to reset the router settings, but simply extract the desired combination of characters directly from the phone interface.
Previously, this procedure required the presence root access and use of complex file managers, which was only available to advanced users. However, modern versions of the operating system, starting from Android 10, have made this process as simple and safe as possible for the average user. Now a couple of taps on the screen are enough to gain access to secret data.
In this article we will look at all the current methods: from standard system tools to using the command line ADB for older versions of software. You will learn how to generate QR codes for quickly connecting guests and find out where encrypted keys are stored in system files.
The standard method is through the settings for Android 10 and newer
Starting with the tenth version of the mobile operating system from Google, the function of viewing passwords has been implemented directly in the settings menu Wi-Fi. This is the most reliable and fastest method that does not require the installation of third-party software. The interface may differ slightly depending on the manufacturer's shell (Samsung One UI, Xiaomi MIUI, ColorOS), but the logic of actions remains the same.
First, open the settings of your gadget and go to the section responsible for connections. It is usually called Network and Internet or simply Wi-Fi. Find in the list the network opposite which there is a checkmark or the words “Connected”. Click on the name of the network or on the gear icon next to it to open detailed information about the connection.
In the menu that opens, look for the button Share or icon QR code. The system will ask you to verify your identity using your fingerprint, face scanner, or screen unlock PIN. This is a security measure that ensures that the password will not be seen by a stranger who picks up your phone.
⚠️ Attention: On some smartphone models (for example, old firmware Huawei or custom builds), the partage button may be missing, even if the version Android is higher than 10. In this case, try updating the software to the latest available version.
After successful authentication, a QR code for connection will appear on the screen. The password itself is often displayed below or next to this code in clear text. If the text is hidden by dots, try taking a screenshot of the screen or using the "Share" function through the messenger to see the data in text format.
If the password is not written under the QR code, take a screenshot of the screen and open it in Google Lens. The camera will automatically recognize the text inside the QR code and show you the password.
Using Google QR scanner and third-party applications
If the standard menu does not display the password in text, but only generates a square barcode, image recognition tools come to the rescue. In the ecosystem Google this function is built deep into the system, but you can also use third-party solutions. This is especially true for devices where the manufacturer has hidden the text field in order to “simplify” the interface.
Take a screenshot of the screen with the QR code you received in the previous step. Then open the application Google Photos or Google Lens. Upload the photo you took there. The system will analyze the image, find the encoded string and offer to copy the content. In the case of Wi-Fi, this will be a line like WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:MyPassword;;, where after P: your key is located.
There are also specialized applications in Google Play, such as WiFi Password Viewer. However, be careful: many of them require unnecessary permissions or contain aggressive advertising. It is better to use built-in tools or proven utilities from well-known developers.
- 📸 Take a screenshot of the screen with a QR code using a standard button combination.
- 🔍 Open Google Lens and point the camera at the image in the gallery.
- 📋 Copy the connection string and find the value after the character
P:.
Remember that the string format WIFI is a standard. The letter S indicates the network name (SSID), T the encryption type, and P the actual password. Ignore semicolons at the end of the line, they are parameter separators.
View passwords on older versions of Android (without Root)
Owners of devices with a lower operating system version Android 10 face security restrictions. The system does not allow you to view saved networks through the GUI. The only legal way to access data without hacking the system (root) is to use debugging on USB and computer.
To do this, you will need to install the package ADB (Android Debug Bridge) on your PC. This is the official developer tool from Google. You need to activate developer mode on your phone: 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 developerswhere you need to enable USB debugging.
Connect your smartphone to your computer with a cable. Open a command prompt on your PC in the ADB installation folder and enter the command to backup your Wi-Fi settings. This command will download a configuration file in which all connection data is stored.
adb backup -f wifi.ab -noapk com.android.providers.settingsThe resulting file wifi.ab will need to be converted to the format TAR, and then extract the file from it settings.db or wifi.conf. You can open the database using the app SQLite Browser. In the table secure find the line with the key wifi_ssid or a similar name, where the password will be indicated in the adjacent field.
⚠️ Attention: On smartphones Xiaomi, Huawei and other Chinese brands, the command
adb backupcan be blocked by the manufacturer. In this case, the method will not work without obtaining superuser rights.
This method requires certain technical training. If you are not confident in your ability to work with the command line, it is better to use the QR code method on a newer device or ask a friend with a modern phone to read the settings of your router.
What to do if ADB does not see the phone?
Make sure that the drivers for your device are installed on your computer. Try replacing the USB cable with an original one. Also check if there is a request on the phone screen to allow debugging - you need to confirm it with the "Always Allow" checkbox.
Obtaining a password through root access and file managers
If your device is unlocked bootloader and installed root access (via Magisk or SuperSU), the process of retrieving the password becomes trivial. You get full access to the system partition where the configuration files of all services are stored.
You will need an advanced file manager with support for superuser rights, for example Root Explorer, Solid Explorer or MT Manager. When you first launch the application, it will ask for permission to access root functions - grant it. Further navigation will be as follows:
Navigate along the path /data/misc/wifi/. In this directory you will find a file named WifiConfigStore.xml (on new versions of Android) or wpa_supplicant.conf (on old ones). Open this file with the built-in text editor.
| Android version | File path | File name | Data format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android 6-9 | /data/misc/wifi/ | wpa_supplicant.conf | Text (plaintext) |
| Android 10+ | /data/misc/apexdata/com.android.wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml | WifiConfigStore.xml | XML (encrypted) |
| Android 12+ | /data/misc/wifi/ | WifiConfigStore.xml | XML (often encrypted) |
Inside the file, look for a tag SSID with the name of your network. Immediately below or next to it there will be a tag PreSharedKey or attribute epwd. The value of this tag is your password. On new versions of Android, data in XML can be encrypted, and simply viewing the file will not help - you will need to use special decoders or scripts.
Having root access gives full access to system files, but on Android 10+ even they do not guarantee simple viewing of the password due to the new encryption mechanism for the credential storage.
Restoring access through the router's web interface
If the phone cannot show the password due to system restrictions, there is always a backup option - go into the settings of the router itself. Since your phone is already connected to the Wi-Fi network, you have local access to the admin panel of the router without having to enter the password for the network itself (if you are already inside).
Open any browser on your smartphone (Chrome, Firefox, Samsung Internet). In the address bar, enter the gateway IP address. 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 field Gateway or Router.
An authorization window will appear. If you have never changed your login data, try the standard combinations: login admin and password admin (or an empty field). This data is often written on a sticker on the bottom of the router itself. If standard passwords are not suitable and you don’t remember them, you will have to reset the router to factory settings using the button Reset.
- 🌐 Enter the gateway IP address in the browser address bar.
- 🔑 Enter the administrator login and password (often admin/admin).
- 📡 Go to section
WirelessorWi-Fi Settings. - 👁️ Find the field
PasswordorPre-Shared Keyand press the display button (eye).
In the web interface you can not only see the current password, but also change it to a more complex one, and also configure a guest network. This is a universal method that works regardless of the Android version and phone model.
⚠️ Attention: The interfaces of routers from different manufacturers (TP-Link, ASUS, MikroTik) are very different. If you cannot find the tab you need, check the instructions for your specific router model on the manufacturer's official website.
Frequently asked questions and problem solving
Even when following instructions, users may encounter unusual situations. Below are answers to the most popular questions that arise when trying to find out the saved security key.
Why is there no Share button or QR code on my Android 11?
Some skin manufacturers (for example, older versions of MIUI or ColorOS) may have hidden this function or moved it. Try clicking not on the name of the network, but on the arrow next to it. Also check if the "Energy Saving" mode is activated, which sometimes limits the functions of the system.
Can I find out the Wi-Fi password if I am not connected to it?
No, it is not possible. The phone saves the password only after successful connection. If you are not connected, the device simply does not have this data in memory. The only option is to connect first (knowing the password) and then view it.
Is it safe to use applications to view passwords from the Play Market?
Most of these applications are useless on new versions of Android without root access, since the system blocks access to configuration files. In addition, they often collect data about your networks and share it with third parties. It is better to use standard tools or the QR code method.
What to do if the QR code is not scanned by the camera?
Try increasing the screen brightness to maximum. Make sure the camera lens is clean. If the built-in scanner cannot cope, install the application Google Lens or any other reliable QR scanner that can read data from the gallery, and not just through the camera in real time.
Where is the wpa_supplicant.conf file stored on Android 12?
On Android 12 and newer, the file structure has changed. The file may be located on the path /data/misc/apexdata/com.android.wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml. Direct access to it is possible only with root access, and the contents are often encrypted with the device key.