The situation when you need to connect a new device to a wireless network, but the access key is forgotten or lost, occurs quite often. Perhaps you just bought a new smartphone or tablet, and now you need to enter login information into the router that you don’t remember. Fortunately, the operating system Android stores this data in encrypted form after the first successful connection, and it is quite possible to retrieve it even without complex manipulations. In most modern cases, you will not need special apps or access to the developer console.
Previously, a few years ago, viewing saved networks required so-called root access, the receipt of which could void the warranty on the device. Today the situation has changed dramatically: starting from version Android 10 and higher, the system provides built-in functionality for secure data exchange via QR code. This solution was implemented by the developers Google to simplify the lives of users and increase the overall security of connections. We will consider all the current methods, from the simplest to the most advanced, that will help restore access to the network.
Before proceeding, make sure that your device is actually connected to the desired network at the moment or has been connected to it previously. If the network has been removed from the list of saved ones (“Forget network”), it will be impossible to recover the password using standard means, and you will need to reset the router settings. However, if the connection is active or saved in memory, you will be able to see the access key in plain text or read it using the camera of another gadget.
Viewing the password through the settings of Android 10 and later
The easiest and most reliable way to find out a forgotten access key is available to owners of smartphones with an operating system version Android 10 and higher. Shell manufacturers, such as MIUI ot Xiaomi, One UI ot Samsung or ColorOS ot Oppo, have implemented this function almost identically. You do not need to install third-party software, just go to the standard settings menu. This method is considered the most secure, as it does not require intervention in system files.
First, open the Settings section on your device and go to Wi-Fi or Connections. Find the active network in the list, next to which there is a checkmark or connection icon. On some phone models, for example Samsung Galaxyyou need to click on the gear icon next to the name of the network, while on Xiaomi you just need to tap on the name itself. The system will generate a unique QR code containing all the necessary information for connection, including SSID and security key.
⚠️ Attention: On some devices with custom shells, when you click on the network, you may need to confirm your identity. The system will ask you to enter your screen unlock PIN, fingerprint, or face scan. This is a measure of protection against unauthorized access to your network data.
After the QR code appears on the screen, you have two options. The first is to use another device with a camera and a code scanning function (for example, a built-in scanner in the Camera application or through Google Lens). Point the lens at the code and the phone will decipher the string, showing the password in the notification. The second option, if you do not have a second phone, is to take a screenshot of the screen with the QR code and open it in any application for reading codes or in the same Google Lens from the gallery.
If the password text is displayed immediately under the QR code, you are in luck. If not, use a code scanner, since the visual display of text depends on the manufacturer’s firmware version.
It is important to note that this method works stably only on devices released no earlier than 2019-2020. On older models, even if they were updated to a new version of Android software, the function of generating a QR code with a password may not be available due to hardware limitations or the specifics of the Wi-Fi module drivers. In this case, you will have to use the alternative methods described below.
The built-in QR code function in the Wi-Fi settings is the standard and most secure method of viewing the password on modern smartphones without the need to obtain superuser rights.
Using third-party applications from Google Play
If your smartphone runs on an older version of Android (for example Android 6.0 Marshmallow or 7.0 Nougat) and does not support generating QR codes with a password, specialized utilities will come to the rescue. In the store Google Play there are many applications designed to manage wireless connections. They can read system configuration files and display the saved data in a user-friendly form. However, you should be careful when choosing such software.
Most useful applications require availability root-rights for full-fledged work. Without root privileges, they can often only show the network name (SSID) but hide the password itself, citing system security restrictions. However, some advanced utilities have learned to bypass this limitation on certain firmware versions or use backup methods to retrieve data. Before installation, carefully read reviews and check the permissions that the app requests.
- 📱 WiFi Password Viewer is one of the most popular solutions, which, if you have root access, instantly displays a list of all saved networks and their keys.
- 🔓 WiFi Map is an application with a huge database of passwords from public access points, but also has functionality for viewing saved ones on the data device.
- 🛡️ ES Explorer (old versions) - a powerful file manager, which in its settings had a built-in function for viewing Wi-Fi keys, although in new versions of Google Play this functionality is often cut down.
The process of using such applications usually comes down to launching the app and giving it the necessary permissions. If you have root access, the application will ask you to confirm them through the superuser manager (for example Magisk or SuperSU). After confirmation, you will see a list of networks. If there are no rights, the application may offer to create a backup copy of the network settings, which can then be analyzed on the computer or decoded within the application itself.
⚠️ Attention: Download applications only from the official store Google Play. Third-party sites may distribute modified versions of apps that contain viruses or spyware that can steal your personal data, including passwords from banking applications.
Why do applications without Root often not show the password?
The Android system stores Wi-Fi configuration files (wpa_supplicant.conf) in a protected directory /data/misc/wifi/. Only the user with UID 0 (root) has access to this folder. Regular applications run with limited rights and physically cannot read this file without special permission from the system.
View through a file manager (Root required)
For advanced users whose devices have an unlocked bootloader and installed root access, there is a direct method of accessing system files. This method does not require installing specialized applications for Wi-Fi; any file manager that supports working as a superuser is sufficient, for example Root Explorer, Solid Explorer or MT Manager. This method is the most universal and works on almost any version of Android.
You need to open the file manager and give it superuser rights the first time you start it. Then you should follow a strictly defined path in the system partition. The file you are looking for is called wpa_supplicant.conf. Inside this text file is stored all the information about the access points your phone has ever connected to. The structure of the file is quite simple and understandable even to a beginner upon careful examination.
/data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.confOpening the file in a text editor, you will see configuration blocks for each network. Find the block corresponding to the network name you need (parameter ssid). The line below will contain the parameter psk, the value of which is your password. If instead of a password you see a string like #N or a set of characters, this means that the password is stored in hashed form or references another entry, which is less common on consumer devices.
| Parameter in file | Description of value | Example data |
|---|---|---|
network={ |
Start of the network configuration block | network={ |
ssid |
Wireless network name (quotes are required) | ssid="Home_WiFi" |
psk |
Network password (Pre-Shared Key) | psk="MySecretPass123" |
key_mgmt |
Encryption key management type | key_mgmt=WPA-PSK |
Be extremely careful when working with this file. Accidentally changing the syntax, removing quotes, or adding extra spaces can cause the Wi-Fi module to stop reading the configuration correctly. In the worst case, this will cause a phone bootloop or constant connection errors. It is recommended that before editing, create a copy of the file and save it in a safe place, for example, in the internal memory in a folder Download.
☑️ Safe work with system files
Find out the password via the web interface router
If the phone is not connected to the network right now, and the required access point is not in the saved lists, or you do not have root access, there is a workaround through the router itself. This method is universal and does not depend on the Android version or smartphone model. The main condition is that your device must be connected to the router (at least via a cable via an OTG adapter if Wi-Fi does not work, or you know the IP address of the gateway and can connect to it if the network is open).
Open any browser on your phone (Chrome, Firefox, Samsung Internet) 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, and the login and password for logging into the control panel are also indicated there. By default, these are often combinations admin/admin or admin/password, if you have not changed them.
After successful authorization in the control panel, find the section responsible for the wireless network. It may be called Wireless, Wi-Fi, Wireless mode or WLAN. Inside this section, look for the subsection Wireless Security (Wireless Network Security) or Protection settings. It is there in the field PSK Password, Wireless Password or Network key The current password is displayed. You can simply look at it, copy it or change it to a new, more reliable one.
⚠️ Attention: Interfaces of routers from different manufacturers (TP-Link, ASUS, D-Link, Keenetic) are very different. If you cannot find the item you need, check the official instructions for your router model or look for information on the manufacturer’s website, since the menu location may change depending on the router firmware version.
This method also allows you to solve the problem if you want to change the password for all devices at once. By changing the key in the router settings, you will have to reconnect all gadgets in the house using the new code. This is a good security practice, especially if you suspect that your Wi-Fi is being used by neighbors or unwanted persons.
Restoring access using a computer
Sometimes mobile methods turn out to be inconvenient or inaccessible due to the small screen or system limitations. In such cases, a personal computer or laptop running Windows comes to the rescue. If you have a laptop that has previously connected to the desired Wi-Fi network, you can easily find out the password through standard operating system tools and then enter it on your phone.
In Windows 10 and 11, this is done through the Network Control Panel. Right-click on the network icon in the tray, select Network and Internet settings, then go to Network and Sharing Center. Click on the name of your wireless network, and in the window that opens, click the Wireless network propertiesbutton. Go to the tab Security and check the box next to Display entered characters. The password will become visible in the "Network security key" field.
For more advanced command line users, there is a quick way to get a list of all saved profiles and their passwords without clicking on the menu. Run a command prompt as administrator and enter the following command, replacing Network_Name with the exact name of your Wi-Fi:
netsh wlan show profile name="Network_Name" key=clearIn the output command, find the line Key contents (or Key Content in the English version) - the value opposite it will be the required password. This method works flawlessly on any version of Windows, starting with Vista, and does not require the installation of additional software. The resulting password can be manually entered into the phone settings or transferred in any convenient way.
Frequently asked questions and problem solving
Despite the abundance of instructions, users often encounter unusual situations when the methods described above do not work. This may be due to the characteristics of a specific phone model, outdated software, or specific security settings of corporate networks. Below we will look at the most popular questions that arise in the process of restoring access.
Why is there no “Share” button or QR code on my Android 11?
The lack of a QR code generation function on modern versions of Android is most often associated with the manufacturer’s shell. Some budget models or devices with heavily modified firmware may not have this visual element in the menu. Try updating the system to the latest available version or installing an application Google Lenswhich can sometimes enhance this function through system libraries.
Is it possible to find out the password for someone else's Wi-Fi if I am not connected to it?
No, using legal methods it is impossible to find out the password for a network to which your device has never connected and the data for which is not stored in memory. Passwords are not transmitted over the air. The only way is to select it using brute force, which takes a huge amount of time and requires powerful equipment, or get it from the owner of the network.
What to do if the wpa_supplicant.conf file is empty or cannot be opened?
If the file is empty or missing, this may mean that no networks are saved on the device, or your file manager does not have enough rights to read the system partition, even with Root. Try using another file manager, for example Root Explorer, and make sure that the "R/W" (read/write) mode for the system partition is enabled in the application settings.
Is it safe to use applications to view passwords?
Using applications from the official store Google Play with a high rating and a large number of reviews is relatively safe. However, remember that any application that requests access to your network settings or file system can potentially collect data about your connections. Avoid dubious apps downloaded from third-party resources.
How to reset the password on the router if I don’t remember the admin login information?
If you have forgotten the login and password for the router’s web interface, the only way out is to perform a Hard Reset. On the device body, find a small button Reset (often recessed into the body), press it with a paperclip and hold for 10-15 seconds until the indicators reboot. The router will return to factory settings, and you can log in using the data from the sticker on the bottom of the device, but all Internet settings will have to be configured again.