Forgot your home Wi-Fi password and there is no data sticker on your router? Or do you need to connect a new device, but are too lazy to look for a piece of paper with the code? On Android 10 there are several ways to retrieve a saved network password - and this does not always require third-party applications. In this article, we will analyze all working methods, including hidden system functions, manufacturer capabilities ( root access or third party applications. In this article we will analyze all working methods, including hidden functions of the system, capabilities of manufacturers (Xiaomi, Samsung, Huawei) and workarounds for devices without access to the file system.

It is important to understand: Android 10 (API 29) introduced read restrictions file wpa_supplicant.confwhere passwords were previously stored in clear text. Now, for most methods you will need either branded software, or ADB commands, or backup copy. But don’t worry - we will analyze each option in detail, including nuances for different manufacturers.

If you are not sure about your version of Android, check it in Settings → About phone → Android version. For Android 11+ some of the methods in this article may not work - even more stringent security restrictions apply there.

1. Method for Xiaomi devices (MIUI 11/12)

Owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO on Android 10 can use the built-in password viewing function. This is one of the few brands that leaves such a tool even without root.

Instructions:

  • 📱 Open Settings → Wi-Fi.
  • 🔍 Find your network in the list of saved ones and tap on its name.
  • 🔑 In the window that opens, select Share password (or Share in English firmware).
  • 🔐 Confirm the action with a fingerprint, pattern key or PIN code.

After this, QR code with connection data will appear on the screen. Below it there will be a button Show password - click it to see the code in text form. On some models (for example, Redmi Note 8 Pro) the password is displayed immediately without a QR code.

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If the "Share password" button is missing, update MIUI to the latest version via Settings → About phone → System update.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global Stable older than 2021, this method may not work due to changes in security policy. In this case, try the method with ADB (section 3).

2. Using a backup (for all Android 10)

This method works on any device, but requires first setting up a backup. If you have ever created a backup via Settings → System → Backup, then Wi-Fi passwords could be saved in it.

How to retrieve the password:

  1. Install the application WiFi Password Viewer (available in Google Play).
  2. Launch it and provide access to the storage.
  3. The application will scan backups and show a list of saved networks with passwords.

If there is no backup, you can force it:

  • 📱 Go to Settings → Google → Backup.
  • 🔄 Enable the option Backup to Google Drive.
  • 📤 Click Create a backup now.
  • ⏳ Wait 5-10 minutes and repeat steps with WiFi Password Viewer.
Why does this method not always work?

Google Drive backups are encrypted, and not all applications can decrypt them correctly. In addition, since 2022, Google has tightened its data storage policy, and Wi-Fi passwords may not be included in the backup on new devices.

Manufacturer Does Wi-Fi password backup support Notes
Samsung Yes Only when using Samsung Cloud, not Google Drive
Xiaomi Partially Works only on firmware MIUI up to version 12.5
Google Pixel Yes Passwords are saved in Google Smart Lock
Huawei/Honor No Since 2020, passwords are not included in the backup due to restrictions HMS

3. ADB commands for advanced users

If the previous methods did not work, you can extract the password via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method requires connecting the phone to the computer and turning on USB debugging, but does not require root access.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
  2. Enable on your phone:
    • 🔧 Settings → About phone → Build number (tap 7 times to activate Developer mode).
    • 🔌 Settings → System → For developers → USB debugging.
  • Connect your phone to the PC and confirm trust computer.
  • Open the command line (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and enter:
    • adb shell

    su -c "cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml | grep -E 'SSID|PreSharedKey'"

    If the command returns an error Permission deniedtry the alternative:

    adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml C:/wifi_passwords.xml

    Then open the downloaded file in any text editor and find the lines with <string name="PreSharedKey"> —there will be a password there.

    Install ADB Tools on PC

    Enable developer mode on the phone

    Activate USB debugging

    Connect the phone with the original cable

    Run the command line as administrator-->

    ⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Samsung Galaxy S10 c One UI 2.5) file WifiConfigStore.xml can be encrypted. In this case, only root or specialized utilities like WiFi Password Recovery (requires Magisk).

    4 will help. Branded utilities of manufacturers

    Some brands offer their own tools for managing Wi-Fi networks. Here are the most reliable options:

    Samsung (One UI 2.0/2.5)

    On devices Galaxy with Android 10 you can use the application Samsung SmartThings:

    • 📱 Install SmartThings from Galaxy Store.
    • 🔗 Connect to your Wi-Fi network.
    • 🔍 Open the section Devices → Home network → Your router.
    • 🔑 Click Show password (fingerprint confirmation will be required).

    Huawei/Honor (EMUI 10)

    On smartphones Huawei i Honor s Android 10 the password can be viewed via Huawei Mobile Cloud:

    • 🌐 Go to the website Huawei Cloud and log in.
    • 📱 Find the section Devices → [Your Phone] → Backups.
    • 🔍 In the data list, find Wi-Fi settings and download the backup.
    • 🔑 Open the file via Huawei Backup Extractor (available on GitHub).

    Google Pixel (Stock Android 10)

    On "pure" Android there is a hidden export function passwords:

    • 📱 Go to Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi → Saved networks.
    • 🔍 Tap on your network and select Share.
    • 🔑 The system will generate QR code - scan it with any scanner (for example, through Google Lens) to see the password.
    📊 What brand of your smartphone?
    Samsung
    Xiaomi
    Huawei/Honor
    Google Pixel
    Other

    5. Alternative methods (without root)

    If none of the above methods worked, try these workarounds:

    Resetting the router to factory settings

    An extreme method, if you have physical access to the router:

    • 🔌 Find the button on the back panel of the router Reset (usually recessed into the case).
    • 📍 Press it with a toothpick and hold 10–15 seconds.
    • 🔄 After the reboot, the router will return to the factory settings (the network name and password will be on the sticker).

    Minus: you will have to set up the Internet connection again (enter data from the provider).

    View the password on the connected device

    If you are connected to the network laptop with Windows or Mac, you can retrieve the password from there:

    • 🖥️ On Windows: open Control Panel → Network Control Center → Changing adapter settings. Right-click on your network → Wireless network properties → Security. Check the box Display entered characters.
    • 🍎 On Mac: open apps → Utilities → Keychain. Find the name of your network and double-click on it. Check the box Show password.

    Using applications to recover passwords

    Some utilities can extract passwords from system files without root (but require ADB):

    • 📲 WiFi Password Recovery (works on Samsung, LG, Sony).
    • 📲 Wifi Password Viewer (requires backup).
    • 📲 Root Browser (only for devices with root).
    💡

    On devices with Android 10 and newer Most applications for viewing Wi-Fi passwords require either root, or ADB, or proprietary utilities of the manufacturer. There are no “universal” solutions without additional conditions.

    6. Frequent errors and how to avoid them

    When trying to extract a password, users often encounter typical ones. problems. Here's how to solve them:

    Error Cause Solution
    Permission denied in ADB Insufficient rights Try the command with su or get root
    There is no "Share password" button The manufacturer has disabled the function Use ADB or a backup copy
    The application does not see the network There is no access to wpa_supplicant.conf Update the application or use Magisk to get root
    The QR code is not scanned The phone screen is too dim Increase the brightness or take a photo of the code and process it in Google Photos

    Another common problem is encrypting the configuration file. Starting from Android 10many manufacturers (especially Samsung and OnePlusencrypt wpa_supplicant.conf using keys tied to the device. In this case, the only thing that will help is:

    • 🔓 Obtaining root access and using Magisk.
    • 📡 Connecting to the router via Ethernet and viewing the password in its web interface (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
    ⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 11+ and Android 10 with the latest security patches (2023 and newer) part methods from this article may not work due to stricter privacy policies. If it is critical for you to retrieve the password, consider the option of resetting the router or contact your provider for a duplicate data.
    You can Is it possible to find out the Wi-Fi password without root on Android 10?

    Yes, but with limitations. On devices Xiaomi i Google Pixel there are built-in functions for viewing the password. For other brands you will need ADB, a backup copy or proprietary utilities. (for example Samsung SmartThings). There is no universal method without additional conditions.

    Why did the old methods stop working after updating to Android 10?

    Google has tightened its security policy: file access Android 10 Google has tightened its security policy: file access wpa_supplicant.conf was limited, and reading passwords without root has become possible only through official APIs. Manufacturers have also begun to encrypt configuration files.

    Is it possible to extract a password from a phone that is not connected to Wi-Fi?

    No. The password is stored encrypted and requires an active network connection to decrypt it. The exception is backups (if they were created previously) or root access.

    Is it safe to use ADB to retrieve the password?

    Yes, if you downloaded official ADB Tools from the site Android Developers. Risks only arise when using third-party "hacked" versions of ADB or untested commands. Do not enter suspicious commands from unreliable sources!

    What to do if none of the methods worked?

    There are three options left:

    1. Reset the router to factory settings (the password will be on sticker).
    2. Contact your Internet provider for a duplicate data (a passport may be required).
    3. Get root access and use Magisk + Root Explorer.