The situation when you need to connect a new device to an already working wireless network, but the password itself is forgotten or written down in an inaccessible place, occurs extremely often. Owners of smartphones Huawei and Honorworking on shells EMUI or Magic UIare often faced with the question of where exactly this data is stored in the system and whether it can be retrieved without third-party software. Fortunately, modern versions of the operating system Android provide built-in mechanisms for viewing saved access keys.
Previously, in system versions below the tenth, the process was much more complicated and required the presence root access or connection to a computer. Today, however, most users can get the information they need directly from the Settings interface, using the QR code feature or special debug menus. It is important to understand that the methods may vary depending on the specific model of your gadget and the installed firmware version.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the current methods for obtaining forgotten network login data. You will learn how to use standard system tools, which applications can help in difficult cases, and what to do if none of the methods work. We'll also cover security issues and explain why the system hides this data by default.
Using the QR code function in Wi-Fi settings
The simplest and most reliable method available to owners of devices with Android 10 and higher (including EMUI 10/11/12/13 and Magic UI) is to use the built-in QR code generation function. This method does not require installing additional apps or obtaining advanced access rights. Just go to the wireless network settings menu.
Find in the list of available networks the one to which you are already connected, or the one from which you want to find out data. Click on the network name or the gear icon next to it. The connection options menu that opens often displays a QR code, which is designed to quickly connect guests. Under this code or when you click on the "Share" button (chain or arrow icon), the system may show a text password.
- 📱 Open
Settingsand go to the sectionWi-Fi. - 🔗 Click on the name of the connected network or the settings icon next to it.
- 👁️ If the password is hidden by dots, try clicking on the "eye" icon or the "Share" button to see it in clear form.
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware versions Huawei when you try to share the network, the password is not displayed in text, but is prompted to immediately scan the code with another device. In this case, take a screenshot of the screen with the QR code, and then open it through the Google Lens or Gallery application with OCR - the password will be extracted from the image.
If the standard interface does not show the key text, there is an alternative way through the "Mobile Hotspot" menu. Go to Settings → Mobile network → Mobile hotspot. Sometimes in the settings of the hotspot itself (password for distribution), the system allows you to copy the current key to the clipboard, although this relates more to creating a new access point rather than viewing the old one.
Viewing passwords through Google Password Manager
The company Google has introduced a powerful password manager into its ecosystem that synchronizes data between devices. If your Huawei or Honor services are installed (Google Mobile Services) or you use GMS (Google Mobile Services) or you use HMS with account synchronization, the saved Wi-Fi keys may be located there. This is especially true for those who have previously logged into the network from other Android devices.
To access this data, you need to go to the general system settings. Find the section responsible for security or accounts. In the password management menu Google stores not only keys to sites, but also data from wireless networks if the corresponding backup option has been enabled.
- 🔐 Go to
Settings→Google→Autofill. - 📂 Select item
Autofill from Googleand clickGoogle Password Manager. - 📡 In the list, find a tab or category related to Wi-Fi, or use the search by the name of your network.
After finding the desired entry, the system will ask you to confirm your identity using biometrics (fingerprint or Face ID) or screen unlock PIN code. After successful authentication, you will see your username and password in clear text. The function of copying the key to the clipboard for quick pasting is also available.
What to do if your Google account is not synchronized?
If synchronization was disabled, the data may not have been saved in the cloud. In this case, try logging into the same account on another Android device that has previously connected to this network, and check the password manager there.
Using third-party recovery applications
In cases where built-in tools EMUI or Magic UI do not allow you to view the key; specialized applications from the store AppGallery or Google Playcome to the rescue. However, it is worth immediately noting an important nuance: without root access such apps work to a limited extent. They cannot “hack” the system password file, but can use other methods, such as analyzing QR codes or searching in shared databases.
One popular solution is to use scanner applications that can read QR codes from other screens. If you have a friend with a connected phone, you can generate the code on their device and consider it yours. There are also utilities that try to restore access via WPS, but this protocol is often disabled on modern routers for security reasons.
| Application name | Presence of Root | Operation principle | Security |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi Password Viewer | Required | Reading system file wpa_supplicant.conf | High (locally) |
| QR & Barcode Scanner | Not required | Scanning code from another screen | High |
| WiFi Map | Not required | Search in the general user database | Average (depending on the database) |
| ES Explorer (Root) | Required | Direct access to the file system | High (if you have rights) |
When installing third-party software, carefully read the permissions that the application requests. If a simple password viewer requires access to your contacts, microphone or location without obvious need, it is better to refrain from installing it. This may indicate the presence of malicious code.
Method using ADB and a computer
For advanced users who do not want to get root access, but need access to system configuration files, there is a method for debugging USB. It requires a computer (Windows, macOS or Linux) and an installed driver Huawei HiSuite or universal ADB drivers. This method allows you to execute a command to read the file where the keys are stored.
Before you begin, you must activate developer mode on your smartphone. To do this, 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, find the section System and updates → Developer options and enable USB debugging.
adb pull /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf c:/wpa.confRunning this command will copy the configuration file to the computer. Opening it with any text editor (Notepad), you will find lines like psk="your_password". However, on modern versions of Android, access to this folder without root access is often denied, and the command will return a "Permission denied" error. In this case, this method only works on older devices or after special unlocking of the bootloader.
⚠️ Attention: The interfaces of the "Developer Options" menu may differ on different versions. EMUI. If you cannot find the item you need, use the settings search by entering the word "debugging". Do not enable unfamiliar functions in this menu if you are not sure of their purpose, so as not to disrupt the system.
☑️ Preparing to work with ADB
Obtaining root access and direct access to files
The most radical, but also the most effective method is to obtain rights superuser (root). On devices Huawei and Honor this is a complex process, since the manufacturer officially closed the ability to unlock the bootloader several years ago. However, for some models there are workarounds or already unlocked firmware versions.
If your phone already has root access (for example, through Magisk), then the question “how to find the password” is resolved in a couple of seconds. You will need any file manager that supports root access, for example Root Explorer or MIXplorer. You need to go to the path /data/misc/wifi/ and open the file wpa_supplicant.conf.
- 📂 Open the file manager and give it superuser rights.
- 📁 Go to the root directory along the path
/data/misc/wifi/. - 📄 Find the configuration file and open it with text editor.
- 🔍 In the text, look for the tag
psk—the value in quotes is your password.
It is important to understand the risks: obtaining root access will void the warranty, can lead to a failure of banking applications (without additional settings for hiding root) and increases the device’s vulnerability to viruses. To simply view your Wi-Fi password, this method is often considered redundant if you can use a QR code.
Before attempting to unlock the bootloader, be sure to make a full backup of your data, as this process is guaranteed to delete all information from the phone's internal storage.
Resetting the router as a last resort
If none of the software methods helped, and access to the network is urgently needed, you still have physical access to the signal source itself - the router. If the device is in your home or you can contact your network administrator, you can reset your router to factory settings. This action will delete the current password and set the standard one indicated on the sticker.
On the back panel of the router, find a small indentation with the inscription Reset or WPS/Reset. Use a paperclip or toothpick to press and hold the button inside the hole for 10-15 seconds until the lights on the housing blink simultaneously. After the reboot, the network will be named as on the sticker, and the password will also be standard.
After connecting with the new password, it is strongly recommended to go to the router’s web interface (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and set a new, complex security key so that neighbors cannot use your Internet. Write down the new data in a safe place.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to find out the password for a neighbor’s Wi-Fi through a Huawei phone?
No, there are no legal ways to find out someone else’s password without access to the owner’s device or router. Applications that promise to “hack” Wi-Fi are most often fraudulent or simply guess passwords from shared databases if someone has previously connected to this network and saved the data to the cloud. Using someone else's network without permission is prohibited by law.
Why is the QR code for Wi-Fi not displayed on my Huawei?
The function of generating a QR code for sharing appeared in Android 10. If you have an older version of the system (Android 9 and lower) or a custom shell without this function, the QR code will not be displayed. Also, this option may be hidden in some regional firmware versions. EMUI.
Is it safe to save passwords in a Google account?
Yes, data in Google Password Manager is encrypted during transmission and storage. Access to them is possible only after confirming the identity of the account owner. This is considered a more secure way of storing passwords than writing passwords on pieces of paper or in notes without protection.
What should you do if you forgot the password for your router and resetting does not help?
If resetting to factory settings does not help (which is extremely rare), the device may be faulty. Under normal conditions, after a reset, the password printed on the factory label (Label) on the bottom or back of the router should work. If there is no sticker, try the standard combinations: admin/admin, 1234/1234.