The situation when you need to connect a new gadget to the network, but remember security key is impossible, occurs quite often. Owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO are in a more advantageous position thanks to the flexibility of the shell MIUI and HyperOS. The operating system Android in modern versions allows you to easily retrieve saved credentials without the need to reset the router or use complex computer utilities.
There are several proven methods that allow you to restore access to information about a wireless network. The choice of a specific method depends on the version of the operating system installed on your device, as well as on the availability of superuser (root) rights. We will consider both standard functions available to each user, as well as more advanced options for experienced owners.
It is important to understand that all the described actions are aimed at restoring access to your own networks.
⚠️ Attention: Using these methods to gain access to other people's Wi-Fi networks without the owner's permission is violation of laws and ethical rules.Next we will analyze in detail the algorithms of actions that will help you solve the problem in a matter of minutes.
Using the QR code function in the MIUI settings
The simplest and most accessible method that works on the vast majority of modern smartphones Xiaomi. Starting with certain versions of the shell MIUI, engineers have introduced the ability to generate a QR code to quickly connect other devices. This code contains an encrypted password and the name of the network.
To begin, open the standard “Settings” application and go to the Wi-Fisection. In the list of available networks, find the one you are currently connected to (it will be marked with a checkmark or padlock icon). Click on the name of the active network or on the arrow to the right of it to expand additional parameters.
On the screen that opens you will see a square QR code. Below it, as a rule, a text line with the words “Password” or “Password” is immediately displayed. If the password text is hidden by asterisks, simply point the camera of another phone or use the “Google Lens” function on the screenshot of this code - the system will recognize the text and show the key in clear text.
- 📱 Open Wi-Fi settings and select active network.
- 📸 Take a screenshot of the screen with the QR code if the password is not visible in text.
- 🔍 Use Google Lens or any QR scanner to decrypt the image.
- 📝 Copy the received password to the clipboard.
This method does not require an Internet connection or installation of additional software. It works even if you do not have access to the router's admin panel. However, on very old versions Android (below 10) or custom firmware this function may be missing or hidden.
Viewing the password through the router's web interface
If standard smartphone methods are not suitable, you can turn to the source of the signal - your router. This method is universal and suitable for any model Xiaomi, since it does not depend on the version Android. You will need a browser and access to the local network.
Open any browser on your phone (Chrome, Yandex, Mi Browser) and enter the IP address of your router in the address bar. Most often this is 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. The exact address is usually written on a sticker on the bottom of the device. After entering the address, the system will request a login and password to enter the control panel.
After successful authorization (standard data is often indicated there, on a sticker, for example, admin/admin), you need to find the wireless network settings section. Look for tabs named Wireless, WLAN or “Wireless Mode”. In the “Security” or Security subsections there will be a field with the WPA/WPA2 key.
| Router brand | Typical IP address | Standard login | Standard password |
|---|---|---|---|
| TP-Link | 192.168.0.1 | admin | admin |
| ASUS | 192.168.1.1 | admin | admin |
| D-Link | 192.168.0.1 | admin | (blank) |
| Xiaomi Mi | 192.168.31.1 | admin | specified during setup |
In some cases, telecom operators change standard passwords to unique ones, which are issued upon concluding an agreement. If the standard login/password pair does not work, the data may have been changed earlier by you or the wizard during installation. In this case, only resetting the router to factory settings will help.
If you have forgotten the password for logging into the router panel and it was changed earlier, you will have to do a Hard Reset on the router itself by holding down the reset button for 10 seconds. This will return the factory data, but will also reset the provider settings.
Using ADB commands without root access
For more advanced users who are not afraid to work with a computer, there is a method via USB debugging. This method allows you to extract the system file with passwords without having rights root, but requiring you to enable developer mode on your smartphone.
First you need to activate developer mode. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times on the “MIUI Version” item. After the notification appears, return to the main settings menu, find the “Advanced” section and select “For Developers”. Activate the “USB Debugging” switch.
Connect your phone to the computer via a USB cable. The package must be installed on the computer ADB Tools. Open a command line in the tools folder and enter the command to test the connection: adb devices. A request for debugging permission will appear on the phone screen - confirm it.
adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml c:/wifi_config.xmlThis command will copy the configuration file to the C drive of your computer. Open the resulting file WifiConfigStore.xml with any text editor (Notepad, Notepad++). Inside the file, find the tag PreSharedKey —the value inside it is your desired password.
⚠️ Attention: On new versions of Android (11, 12, 13, 14), access to system files via ADB without root access may be blocked by Google security policies. In this case, the method will only work on older devices.
Specialized applications from Google Play
In the official application store there are many utilities that promise to show saved passwords. However, it is important to understand the technical limitation: without rights root these applications cannot read the system file wpa_supplicant.conf or WifiConfigStore.xml.
Most of these apps work on the principle of a “social base”: they show passwords that were once uploaded by other users to the cloud. If your network is new or unique, there is little chance of finding it in the database. However, for popular routers with factory passwords, this may work.
Examples of popular applications:
- 📡 WiFi Map - uses a common database of user passwords.
- 🔑 WiFi Password Viewer - requires root to view locally saved data.
- 📶 WiFi Key Recovery - similarly, functionality is limited without administrator rights.
The use of such apps carries certain risks. You provide the application with access to geolocation and a list of your networks. MIUI and HyperOS can block the operation of such applications, considering them potentially dangerous. Be careful when installing software from unverified sources.
Why do applications require Root?
The Android system stores passwords in a secure system folder /data/misc/wifi/. Regular applications do not have read permissions on this directory. Only having root access (superuser) allows you to bypass this restriction and directly read the file with encryption keys.
Method with SuperUser (Root) rights
If your smartphone Xiaomi is unlocked and rights have been set for it SuperUser (via Magisk or analogues), then obtaining the password becomes a trivial task. Any application that has received the appropriate permission will be able to instantly show the key.
To do this, just install any file manager with root support, for example Root Explorer or Solid Explorer. Follow the path /data/misc/wifi/. Find the file WifiConfigStore.xml (on older Android wpa_supplicant.conf). Open it as a text file.
Inside you will see a list of all the networks to which the phone has ever connected. Look for the tag PreSharedKey. The password will be indicated next to it in clear text. This method works 100% regardless of the Android version, as it bypasses all system restrictions.
☑️ Checking before obtaining Root
What to do if nothing helps
In rare cases, none of the software methods produces results. This may be due to corruption of system files, specific corporate network settings, or hardware failures of the Wi-Fi module. In such a situation, the only reliable option remains - physical access to the router.
Find a device that distributes the Internet. If you have access to it, look at the sticker on the case. The factory password (Wireless Key / PIN) is often indicated there. If the password has been changed and you don’t remember it, and you can’t reset the router settings (since the Internet and provider settings will be lost), you will have to call your provider’s technical support.
Telecom operators can dictate the password or help you reset the settings remotely if your device is linked to your personal account. They can also send a technician to reconfigure the equipment.
The fastest and safest way on Xiaomi is the standard QR code function in the Wi-Fi settings. It does not require root access and works on all current versions of MIUI.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to find out the Wi-Fi password if the phone is not connected to it right now?
Yes, if the phone has connected to this network before, data about it is saved in memory. You can use ADB or Root methods to retrieve the saved key even when you are out of network coverage.
Is it safe to use password recovery apps?
Apps from Google Play that do not require root often collect data about your networks. Open source apps or those that require root are more secure but give the apps full control over the system. Be selective.
Will viewing a password via a QR code reset your phone?
No, generating a QR code and viewing a password in MIUI settings is a standard system function. It does not in any way affect the safety of your personal data or smartphone settings.
Why is there no “Share” button or QR code in the Wi-Fi settings?
This feature appeared in MIUI 12 and Android 10. If you have an older version of the shell or Android, use the method of logging into the router's web interface via a browser.