If your Android phone is already connected to Wi-Fi, but the network password is lost or unknown, you can instantly find it directly in the device settings without installing third-party apps. Modern versions of the operating system allow you to view saved authorization data through the menu of the active access point, which makes it possible to quickly restore the combination of characters to connect new gadgets.
Previously, in the era of Android 9 and below, this procedure required having root access access to system configuration files, which was risky for the average user. However, starting with the tenth version, Google has introduced the function of generating QR codes directly into the Wi-Fi settings interface. This code contains all the necessary information, including a security key, which can be read by any scanner or simply decrypted visually through the phone settings.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the current methods of restoring access: from standard system tools to advanced methods for experienced users. You will learn how to retrieve a password through settings using the built-in QR code scanner, and also consider options for devices with older software versions. It is important to understand that the menu interface may differ slightly depending on the manufacturer’s shell (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS), but the general algorithm of actions remains the same for the entire ecosystem.
The standard method for viewing a password on Android 10 and later
Starting with Android 10, the function of viewing saved networks has been integrated directly into the security and settings system. To access this data, you do not need to install additional applications or obtain advanced access rights. Just go to the appropriate section of the menu, select the desired access point and use the “Share” function.
The process begins by going to the settings menu. You need to open the section Connections or Network and Internet, depending on the model of your device. Next, select item Wi-Fi. A list of available networks will be displayed here, and the currently active network will be marked with a connection icon or “Connected”. Click on the name of this network or on the gear icon next to it to open detailed information about the connection.
In the menu that opens, find the button Share or the QR code icon. When you click on it, the system will ask you to confirm your identity. This could be entering a screen unlock PIN, fingerprint scanning or facial recognition. This security measure is necessary to ensure that unauthorized persons cannot access sensitive data on your network without your knowledge.
After successful authentication, a QR code containing an encrypted connection string will appear on the screen. Under this code, on most modern firmware, a text string with a password is immediately displayed. If the text is hidden by asterisks or is missing, you can take a screenshot of the screen and open it in any application for reading QR codes or in Google Lens to see the full text of the connection string, where the password will be indicated after the label P:.
⚠️ Attention: The function of displaying the password under the QR code depends on the specific version of the manufacturer's shell. On pure Android, the password may be hidden, requiring an additional step of scanning the code with a third-party application.
If there is no password text under the QR code, simply take a screenshot and open it in Google Photos or any QR scanner - the system will automatically recognize the text and show the password.
Using a QR code and third-party scanners
In cases where the operating system does not display the password in text form under the generated QR code, universal reading tools come to the rescue. QR code technology involves storing data in a string format, which usually looks like WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:MyPassword;;. In this structure, the characters after P: and before two semicolons represent the required security key.
To decrypt, you do not need to download specialized applications from the store, since modern smartphone cameras and Google services already have built-in decoders. It is enough to take a screenshot with a QR code, then open the image through the app Google Lens (Google Lens) or a standard gallery with a smart search function. The system will analyze the image and display the text content of the code.
- 📸 Take a screenshot of the screen with the QR code of the Wi-Fi network.
- 🔍 Open the image in Google Lens or a scanner application.
- 📝 Find in the recognized text the line starting with
P:. - 🔑 Copy the characters between
P:and;;—this is your password.
This method is universal and works regardless of the Android version, generate it yourself QR code. Even on devices with heavily modified shells, where the standard interface may hide data, the visual encoding of information remains standard. The main thing is to make sure that the scanner correctly recognizes all the characters, especially if the password uses complex special characters.
Restoring access on Android 9 and lower
For devices running Android versions below 10, the situation is complicated by the lack of a built-in graphical interface for viewing saved security keys. In these systems, data about Wi-Fi networks is stored in a protected system file wpa_supplicant.conf, access to which is closed to ordinary applications for security reasons.
The only legal way to access this file on older versions of the OS is to have root access (superuser rights). Without them, not a single file manager will allow you to open the system directory /data/misc/wifi/. If your phone is already rooted, you can use advanced file managers such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorerto navigate through system folders.
After granting superuser rights to the file manager, you need to navigate to the path /data/misc/wifi/. This folder contains the file wpa_supplicant.conf. When you open it as a text document, you'll see a list of all the networks you've ever saved. Each entry contains a field psk, the value of which is the password for the corresponding network.
⚠️ Attention: Obtaining root access will void the warranty for the device and may lead to data loss if the procedure is performed incorrectly. It is recommended to use this method only if you are confident in your actions.
If rooting the device is not part of your plans, an alternative would be to connect the phone to the computer via USB debugging (ADB), but this method often requires an unlocked bootloader or developer rights, which do not always provide full access to protected memory sections on new devices. Therefore, for old phones without Root, access to the password often remains closed.
Viewing the password through the router web interface
If software methods on the phone itself do not work or seem too complicated, there is always a “hard” method - contacting the source of Internet distribution, that is, the router. Since your phone is already connected to the network, you have local access to the router's administrative panel, where all settings, including security keys, are stored.
To log into the control panel, you need to know the IP address of the gateway. It can be viewed in the Wi-Fi settings on your phone in the “Details” or “Advanced” section next to the Gatewayparameter. Most often these are addresses like 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. Enter this address into the address bar of any browser on the connected phone.
The router authorization page will open. If you have never changed your login and password, they are usually indicated on a sticker on the bottom cover of the device itself (standard pairs: admin/admin, admin/password). After logging in, find the section responsible for the wireless network. It may be called Wireless, Wi-Fi, Wireless mode or WLAN.
| Router manufacturer | Standard IP | Path to Wi-Fi settings | Password field name |
|---|---|---|---|
| TP-Link | 192.168.0.1 | Wireless -> Wireless Security | Wireless Password / PSK Password |
| ASUS | 192.168.1.1 | Additional settings -> Wireless network | WPA pre-protection key |
| D-Link | 192.168.0.1 | Wi-Fi -> Security settings | PSK encryption key |
| Xiaomi / Redmi | 192.168.31.1 | Wi-Fi settings | Password |
| Keenetic | 192.168.1.1 | My networks and Wi-Fi -> Home network | Network password |
In the found section there will be a password field. Often it is hidden by asterisks, but next to it there is usually an eye-shaped button or a “Show password” checkbox that allows you to see the characters in plain text. This method is the most reliable, as it does not depend on the version of Android or the presence of superuser rights on the phone.
What to do if the password for the router has been changed and is unknown?
If the standard login/password pair does not work and you do not remember the changed data, you will have to reset the router to factory settings. To do this, you need to hold down the Reset button on the device for 10-15 seconds. After this, the router will return to the data indicated on the sticker, but you will have to reconfigure the connection to the provider.
Specifics of various Android shells
Various smartphone manufacturers are actively modifying the standard Android interface, adding their own unique functions and changing the menu structure. This can confuse the user looking for the treasured view password button. For example, on smartphones Samsung with a shell One UI the function is made very convenient, while on Xiaomi s MIUI or HyperOS the logic may be different.
On Samsung devices, you need to go to settings, select “Connections”, then “Wi-Fi”. By clicking on the gear next to the active network, you will see a QR code button at the bottom or top of the screen. Clicking on it immediately shows the code and password underneath it. In some versions of One UI, you additionally need to press the "More" button to see the text field.
Xiaomi users should go to "Settings" -> "Wi-Fi". Here you need to click on the arrow next to the network name. The menu that opens often immediately displays a QR code. To view the password, you may need to tap on the eye icon or press the “Share” button, after which the Miui system will ask for a fingerprint and show the data.
The interface may change with each firmware update. If you do not find the button you need, use the search in your phone settings by entering the request “Wi-Fi” or “QR code.”
Problems and possible limitations
Despite its apparent simplicity, users may encounter a number of limitations. Some enterprise networks or networks with specific security protocols (such as WPA3-Enterprise) may not support standard QR code generation for public access. In such cases, the system may simply not display the button or throw an error when trying to generate the code.
It is also worth considering that on some budget phone models or stripped-down versions of Android (Go Edition), the functionality may be limited by the manufacturer. In such situations, the absence of a password view button is a software limitation of the firmware, and not a user error.
⚠️ Attention: Interfaces and functions are constantly updated by developers. If the described menu paths do not match your device, check the latest information in the help of your model or on the manufacturer’s official website.
Another nuance is the version of the encryption protocol. If your router is configured with the legacy WEP protocol, some modern QR code scanners may not interpret the connection string correctly. In this case, manually entering data from the configuration file or the router web interface remains the only correct solution.
☑️ Diagnosing the problem with viewing the password
Security and best practices
The ability to easily find out the Wi-Fi password is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, this is convenient for the user, on the other hand, it reduces security if the phone falls into the wrong hands. That is why the system requires biometric confirmation or entering a PIN code before displaying_sensitive data.
It is recommended to periodically change passwords for your home network, especially if you often provide access to guests. The use of complex combinations, including numbers, letters of different case and special characters, will protect your network from unauthorized selection even if you have a QR code.
Remember that the QR code shown on the screen is valid only until the password is changed. If you change the access key in the router settings, the old QR code on the phone will become irrelevant, and when you try to connect using it, the new device will receive an authorization error. Always generate a new code after changing security settings.
Is it possible to find out the password without Root on Android 8?
Unfortunately, on Android 8 and below it is impossible to view the saved password using standard means. The system does not have a built-in interface for this, and access to system files is closed. The only option is to enter the router settings through a browser or use a computer already connected to this network.
Why is the password text not displayed under the QR code?
This depends on the firmware version and the manufacturer's security policy. In "pure" Android, only the code is often shown. In this case, use Google Lens or any other QR code scanner on the second device, pointing it at the screen of your phone to decipher the string.
Will the password work if I reset my phone?
No, resetting my phone will delete all saved Wi-Fi networks along with passwords. However, the router password itself will not change. After the reset, you will have to re-enter it manually or re-generate the QR code if you have access to the admin panel of the router or another connected device.
How to copy the password from a QR code without a second phone?
Take a screenshot of the screen with the QR code. Then open this screenshot in the Google Photos app (if installed) or any file manager with OCR functionality. Click on the image and select the “Copy text” or “Search by image” option, after which the system will extract the password string.
Is it dangerous to give access to a QR code from Wi-Fi?
Yes, anyone who scans this code will instantly connect to your network without entering a password. Do not publish screenshots with a QR code on social networks and do not show the screen to strangers if you do not want to give them access to your Internet and local network.