How to find the Wi-Fi password on an Android phone: all methods

Forgot your home Wi-Fi password and there is no sticker with connection data on your router? Or do you need to share your network key with your guests, but can’t remember it? On an Android smartphone, you can view saved passwords for wireless networks - and this does not always require root access or special applications.

In this article we will look all current methodshow to find the Wi-Fi password on an Android phone: from standard functions in the settings to hidden commands for experienced users. We will describe the nuances for popular brands (Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel, Realme), explain why some methods may not work, and give security tips.

Important: not all versions of Android support viewing passwords out of the box. If your smartphone does not show the saved keys, do not despair: there are workarounds in the article.

1. Standard method: viewing the password in Android settings

Starting from Android 10, in some firmware it became possible to view the password for the current Wi-Fi network without additional manipulations. This method works on “pure” Android (for example, Google Pixel, Nokia, Motorola) and some customized shells.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
2. Tap on the name of the connected network (there will be an inscription next to it Connected).
3. Click on the button Share (or Share on English firmware).
4. The system will request confirmation by PIN code, fingerprint or pattern.
5. After authentication, a QR code and a text password will be displayed below it.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Samsung with shell One UI) button Share may be missing. In this case, proceed to the next method.

2. Viewing the password through the configuration file (without root)

Android stores data about saved Wi-Fi networks in the system file wpa_supplicant.confIt can be accessed through ADB (Android). Debug Bridge) is a debugging tool that does not require root access. The method works on most devices, but requires a connection to a computer.

Step-by-step guide:

1. Enable Developer mode on your phone:
   • Go to Settings → About phone → Build number.
   • Tap on it 7 times until a notification appears You have become a developer!.

Return to Settings → System → For Developers and activate USB Debugging.

Connect the phone to the computer via USB (use the original cable!).

Download and install ADB Tools (or use Platform Tools from Android Studio).

Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe and run the commands:

adb devices
adb shell
su -c "cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml | grep -A 10 'string name=\"PreSharedKey\"'"

In the output, find the line <string name="PreSharedKey"> —after it there will be a password in encrypted or clear form. If signs are displayed instead of symbols *, try an alternative command:

adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml

File WifiConfigStore.xml will be copied to your computer - open it with any text editor and find the block with the name of your network (SSID) and password (PreSharedKey).

Install drivers for your phone on PC

Enable USB debugging in the developer settings

Download Platform Tools from the official Android website

Connect the phone with an original USB cable

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3. Methods for specific brands

Smartphone manufacturers often add unique functions to their shells for working with Wi-Fi. Let's look at how to find the password on popular devices.

3.1. Xiaomi devices (MIUI)

On smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi i Poco s firmware MIUI (version 12 and newer), the password can be viewed through the router menu:

1. Connect to the desired Wi-Fi network.
2. Open Settings → Wi-Fi and tap on the name of the network.
3. Select Router management (if the router supports Mi WiFi).
4. Enter your login/password from the router admin panel (usually admin/admin).
5. Go to the section Wireless mode → Wireless protection —there will be a password there.

⚠️ Attention: This method only works if the router is compatible with the ecosystem Xiaomi (for example, Xiaomi Mi Router, Redmi Router).

3.2. Samsung devices (One UI)

On Samsung Galaxy with shell One UI (Android 10+) the password can be exported to a QR code:

1. Go to Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi.
2. Tap on the current network and select QR code.
3. Scan the code with any QR reader - the data will contain a line WPA:... with a password.

For old versions One UI (Android 9 and below) will be required root or ADB (see method 2).

3.3. Google Pixel and Android One devices

On “pure” Android (for example, Google Pixel, Nokia, Motorola) use the standard method from Section 1. If the button Share is missing, update the firmware to the latest version.

Why is there no "Share" password password button on Samsung?

On Samsung devices with One UI's view password feature is hidden for security reasons. The manufacturer believes that users should use QR codes or the router admin panel to transmit network data.

Brand	Password viewing method	Root required?	Notes
Google Pixel	Settings → Wi-Fi → Share	No	Works on Android 10+
Xiaomi/Redmi	Router management (MIUI 12+)	No	Only for Xiaomi routers
Samsung	QR code in Wi-Fi settings	No	Encrypted password
Realme/Oppo	ADB or root	Yes/No	No standard methods

4. Using applications to view passwords

If system methods do not work, you can use third-party utilities. Important: most applications require root access, but there are exceptions.

Popular applications:

• 🔓 WiFi Password Viewer —shows saved passwords (requires root).
• 📱 WiFi Key Recovery —works on some firmware without root.
• 🔍 Wifi Password Show —supports exporting passwords to a file.

⚠️ Attention: Applications without root often contain advertising or collect data. Install them only from Google Play and check the reviews. For example, WiFi Password Viewer from SimoneDev has a rating of 4.5+ and more than 10 million installations.

How to use (using example WiFi Password Viewer):

1. Install the application and open it.
2. Give root access (if required).
3. In the list of saved networks, find the one you want and tap on it.
4. The password will be displayed in the field Password or PSK.

5. Alternative methods (if all else fails)

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

• 🔄 Resetting the router: Click button Reset on the back panel of the router (hold for 10 seconds). After resetting, use the standard password (indicated on the sticker).
• 💻 Router admin panel: Connect to the router via cable, open in a browser. 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, enter your login/password (usually admin/admin) and find the section Wireless Security.
• 📞 Contacting your provider: If the router was issued by an Internet provider, call support - they can tell you the password by number contract.

On some routers (for example, from Rostelecom or Beeline), the standard password is generated according to an algorithm and depends on the serial number of the device. You can calculate it using online calculators (search for “[provider name] password calculator”).

6. Security measures when working with Wi-Fi passwords

Viewing and sharing Wi-Fi passwords involves risks. Follow these rules:

• 🔒 Do not share your password with strangers —they can connect to your network for illegal activities (for example, downloading pirated content).
• 🛡️ Use complex passwords: Minimum length - 12 characters with numbers, capital letters and special characters. Example: Green$Tree7!Lamp.
• 🔄 Change the password every 3-6 months, especially if guests connected to the network.
• 📵 Disable WPS in the router settings - this protocol is vulnerable to hacking.

⚠️ Attention: If you use public Wi-Fi (in cafes, airports), never view saved passwords on the connected device. Attackers can intercept traffic and gain access to your data.

Also avoid connecting to networks with suspicious names (for example, Free_WiFi_Hack or Starbucks_Guest_2). Fraudsters often create “doubles” of legitimate networks to steal passwords and personal information.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about viewing Wi-Fi passwords on Android

Is it possible to find out the Wi-Fi password without root access?

Yes, on some devices (for example Google Pixel or Xiaomi with MIUI 12+) this is possible through standard settings. You can also use ADB (see Section 2) or the router admin panel. However, on Samsung, Realme and other brands without root, access to passwords is often blocked.

Why in the WifiConfigStore.xml file the password is displayed as *?

This means that the password is encrypted. In this case, try:

1. Use the command adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml and open the file on your PC - sometimes the decrypted password is displayed there.
2. Install an application with root access (for example, WiFi Password Viewer).
3. View the password in the router admin panel (via the browser).

Is it possible to find out the password for Wi-Fi that you connected to before, but is not connected now?

Yes, if the network is saved in the phone's memory. Use:

• Applications like WiFi Password Viewer (requires root).
• Command ADB: adb shell su -c "cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml".
• On some firmware (for example, MIUI), saved networks are displayed in Settings → Wi-Fi → Saved networks.

If the network is not saved, you can restore the password only through router.

Is it safe to use applications to view Wi-Fi passwords?

Security depends on the application:

• 🔹 Applications from Google Play with a high rating (4.5+) and a large number of installations are usually are safe.
• 🔹 Avoid utilities that ask for unnecessary permissions (for example, access to SMS or contacts).
• 🔹 Do not install APKs from unknown sources - they may contain viruses.

It is better to give preference to system methods (ADB, Android settings) or official ones utilities from the router manufacturer.

What to do if none of the methods work?

If you couldn’t find out the password through your phone, try:

1. Reset the router to factory settings (button Reset for 10 seconds).
2. View the password on another device that connected to this network (for example, on a Windows laptop or another phone).
3. Contact your provider - they can reset the password remotely.
4. View the sticker on the router (usually the password is indicated next to Wi-Fi Key or Password).