Owners of Honor smartphones often need to quickly view the saved Wi-Fi password directly on their Android phone in order to connect a new laptop or guest to the network when the code itself is forgotten. In the Magic UI or EMUI interface, this data is not available explicitly without special actions, however, modern versions of the system allow you to extract it using built-in tools without the need to obtain root access.
Previously, viewing security keys required presence root access, which was unsafe and difficult for the average user. Now the system allows you to extract this data using legal methods, using a standard settings interface or QR code generation functions. In this article, we will analyze in detail the current methods for viewing passwords on devices with the Android operating system version 10 and higher, which are installed on most modern Honor models.
Please note that the menu interface may vary slightly depending on the specific firmware version and model of your device. For example, on Honor 20 items may be located differently than on the flagship Honor Magic 5. However, the logic of the system remains the same: network data is stored in a secure section, accessed through the Wi-Fi menu or special system utilities.
The easiest way: viewing via a QR code
Starting with Android 10, a native QR code generation function was introduced into the system for quickly connecting other devices. This method is the most secure and does not require the installation of third-party software. You just need to go to the wireless network settings and select an active connection. The system will automatically generate a graphic key in which the network name (SSID) and the password itself are encrypted.
To implement this method, follow these steps:
- 📱 Open the section
Settingsand go to the menuWi-Fi. - 🔗 Click on the name of the network to which you are currently connected, or on the gear icon next to it.
- 📷 Tap on the QR codeicon, which is usually located at the bottom of the screen or at the top next to the name of the access point.
After the image appears on the screen, you have two options. If you have a second smartphone or tablet, simply scan this code with the camera of the other device - it will automatically connect to the network. If there is no second device or you just need the text value of the password, take a screenshot of the screen with a QR code.
⚠️ Attention: The screenshot with a QR code contains all the information to access your network. Do not send this image to strangers and delete it from the gallery immediately after decrypting the password to avoid unauthorized access.
Next, open any application for reading QR codes or use the built-in scanner in the gallery (some Honor models have it by default). Open the screenshot you took through the scanner. As a result, you will receive a line of text like: WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:MySecretPassword;;. The value after the symbol P: and before the double semicolon ;; is your desired password.
On some Honor models, when you click on the QR code, the password is displayed in text form immediately below the graphics. Try tapping on the code image itself or clicking on the “Show password” button, if available.
Search for a password in the settings menu (without scanning)
In certain versions of the Magic UI firmware, developers have added the ability to display the password in clear text directly in the Wi-Fi settings menu, without the need to create a QR code. This feature is less common, but it is worth checking for its availability first, as it is the fastest way. The algorithm of actions is similar to the previous method, but the final step is different.
Go to Settings -> Wi-Fi and click on the active network. In the window that opens, carefully examine the field where the password is usually hidden with dots. Next to it there may be an eye icon 👁️ or a button Show password. When you click on this element, the system will ask you to confirm your identity. You will need to enter a digital screen unlock PIN code, a pattern, or place your finger on the fingerprint scanner.
After successful authentication, the dots will turn into readable text. You can copy it to the clipboard (long press on the text) or simply rewrite it. If there is no such button, it means that in your version of the shell this function is disabled by the developers, and you will have to use the QR code method described above, or more advanced methods.
Using a computer and the ADB utility
For advanced users who are not suitable for the screenshot method, there is a way to extract network configuration files via a computer. This method requires a PC, a USB cable and the installed tool package ADB (Android Debug Bridge). It allows you to access the system file where all saved networks are stored, including passwords.
Before you start, you need to activate the developer mode on your Honor smartphone. 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 -> For developers and turn on the switch USB debugging.
Connect the phone to the computer with a cable. A request for debugging permission will appear on the smartphone screen - confirm it. Next, on your computer, open a command prompt or terminal in the folder where ADB is installed and enter the following command to get a list of networks:
adb shell dumpsys wifi | findstr "mConfiguredNetworks"However, a more reliable way is to try to read the configuration file directly if the permissions allow (on some older versions of Android without root this could work, but on newer versions access is not allowed). If direct access is denied, you can use the command to display information about the current network:
adb shell cmd wifi get-network-detail "Your_Network_Name"In the command output, look for the line PreSharedKey. The value next to it will be your password. Please note that on modern versions of Android (11, 12, 13 and newer), access to this data via ADB without root access is often blocked by Google's security policy. In this case, the system will return an empty value or an access error message.
⚠️ Attention: The command line interface and available commands may vary depending on the version of Android and the manufacturer's shell. What worked on Android 9 may be blocked on Android 13.
Third-party password recovery apps
There are many apps in the Google Play store that promise to show your saved passwords. However, it is important to understand how they work. Without root access, these applications cannot directly read the system file wpa_supplicant.confwhere the encryption keys are stored. Therefore, most of them work on the principle of generating a QR code, which we discussed in the first section.
Applications like WiFi Password Viewer or WiFi Key Recovery often require installing an additional plugin or providing special permissions via a computer (ADB commands) to work on devices without root access. If the application simply asks you to install it and immediately shows a list of passwords without additional manipulations, it is most likely a fake or it only works on very old versions of Android.
Popular utilities that can be useful:
- 🔑 WiFi Map —more suitable for searching for public networks, but has functions for analyzing the current network.
- 📶 WiFi Analyzer —an excellent tool for analyzing a signal, but does not always show passwords of saved networks without root.
- 🤖 Universal Copy — allows you to copy text from the screen, which can help copy the password if it is displayed in the settings, but hidden from selection.
Why do applications ask for root access?
The Android system stores passwords in a protected section of the file system (/data/misc/wifi/). Only the superuser (root) has access to this section. Regular applications run in an isolated environment (sandbox) and cannot read files of other applications or system configs. Therefore, without superuser rights, the application can only show what the system itself allows to be shown (for example, a QR code).
Compatibility table of methods and versions of Android
The effectiveness of a particular method directly depends on the version of the operating system installed on your Honor device. Below is a summary table that will help you choose the best method depending on the characteristics of your gadget.
| Android version | QR code in settings | "Show password" button | Access via ADB | Recommended method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Android 9 and below | No (application required) | Rarely | Often possible | Applications with Root or ADB |
| Android 10 | Yes (standard) | Sometimes | Limited | QR code |
| Android 11 | Yes (standard) | Yes (often) | Blocked | Settings / QR code |
| Android 12/13/14 | Yes (standard) | Yes (almost always) | Locked | Settings (eye) |
As can be seen from the table, owners of modern Honor smartphones are the luckiest. The system has become more user-friendly in matters of network management. If you have a device released after 2020, with a 99% probability you will be able to find out the password through the standard settings menu or the built-in QR code generator.
The newer the Android version on your Honor, the greater the chance of finding the password in the regular settings menu without using complex technical means.
Restoring access through the web interface router
If none of the methods on the phone itself worked (for example, the phone was reset to factory settings and forgot the network, and the password is needed to connect another device), the only option left is to enter the settings of the router itself. This method is universal and does not depend on the model of your Honor smartphone.
To do this, you need to be connected to this Wi-Fi network (therefore, the method will not work if you cannot connect at all). Open a browser on your phone and enter the router's IP address in the address bar. Most often this is 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. The exact address, login and password for logging in are usually written on a sticker on the bottom or back wall of the router.
After logging into the control panel (the interface can be from TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic, etc.), find the section Wireless mode (Wireless) or Wi-Fi settings. The subsection Security (Security) will display the current password. You can see it in open form, change it to a new one, or copy it. This is the only way to find out the password if the phone has “forgotten” the network and is not currently connected to it.
⚠️ Attention: If you change the password in the router settings, all connected devices will lose connection to the Internet. You will have to reconnect each gadget (TV, laptop, phone) using a new security key.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I find out the password from someone else's Wi-Fi network if I am not connected to it?
No, this is impossible. The phone only stores passwords from networks it has successfully connected to in the past. It is impossible to find out the password for a neighbor’s network or public access point without first connecting and without knowing the key using legal methods. This is contrary to the security principles of the WPA2/WPA3 protocol.
What to do if the QR code cannot be scanned?
Try increasing the brightness of the phone screen to maximum. Make sure there is no dirt on the second device's camera lens. If the built-in scanner does not work, install a third-party application for reading QR codes from Google Play. You can also try taking a screenshot, cropping the excess edges in a photo editor and then scanning the resulting image.
Will resetting the phone to factory settings will reset the password?
Yes, when performing a Hard Reset, all saved data, including Wi-Fi settings and passwords for them, will be deleted from the device’s memory. After turning on, the phone will be “clean”, and to connect to the network you will need to enter the password again or use the router method if you don’t remember it either.
Is it safe to use applications to show passwords?
Using unverified applications carries risks. They may request unnecessary permissions or contain advertising modules. The safest way is to use the built-in Android functions (QR code) or official utilities from well-known developers. Avoid applications that require strange permissions or install strange plugins.
Where is the password file physically stored on Android?
Technically, passwords are stored in a file wpa_supplicant.confthat is located in a directory /data/misc/wifi/. However, this folder is not accessible to regular users or applications for security reasons. This file can only be read with superuser rights (Root) or using special debugging interfaces, access to which is also limited in new versions of the OS.