Forgot your home Wi-Fi password, or the sticker on your router has worn off? Or do you need to connect a new device, but are too lazy to look for the sheet with the access code? On an Android smartphone that is already connected to the network, the password is stored in the system files and can be retrieved. The methods differ in complexity: from viewing through the settings to using ADB commands or root access.

This article contains current methods for all versions Android (from Android 6.0 to Android 15), including devices Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel and other brands. We will look at how to get a password without superuser rights (on most modern smartphones) and what to do if standard methods do not work. Important: some methods require USB debugging or special applications - their installation and configuration are also described below.

1. Standard method: viewing the password in settings (Android 10+)

Starting from Android 10, Google has added the ability to view saved Wi-Fi passwords directly in system settings. This method works on most smartphones without root access and additional apps, but requires screen unlocking (PIN, pattern or fingerprint).

Instructions:

  • 📱 Open Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
  • 🔍 Find the desired network in the list and tap on its name.
  • 🔑 Select item Share (or Share on English firmware).
  • 🔐 The system will ask for identity confirmation - enter PIN code, a graphic key or use biometrics.
  • 📋 A text password will appear under the QR code - it can be copied or shown to other devices via QR.
📊 What version of your Android is running?
10 or newer
9 (Pie) or older
I don’t know
Other

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example, MIUI from Xiaomi or One UI from Samsung) item Share may be missing. In this case, try the alternative methods from the following sections.

2. Using ADB commands (without root, but from a PC)

If there is no option to view the password in the settings, you can extract it through Android Debug Bridge (ADB) a debugging tool that connects to the smartphone via USB. The method works on all versions Android, but requires USB debugging enabled a computer with installed drivers.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Preparation:
    • 🖥️ Download ADB Tools (part Android SDK Platform-Tools) and unpack the archive.
    • 📱 On your smartphone, enable USB debugging v Settings → About phone → Number assembly (tap 7 times to unlock Developer mode).
    • 🔌 Connect the phone to the PC via USB and confirm trust in the computer.
  • Executing commands: 
    adb shell

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

    If the command does not work, try an alternative path (for Android 9 i newer):

    adb shell

    su -c "cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStoreSoftAp.xml"

    • 📌 In the output, find the line with PreSharedKey —this is the password. If symbols are displayed instead of text, *, then you will need root access (see section 4).

    Installed ADB drivers on PC|

    Enabled USB debugging on the phone|

    USB cable (preferably original)|

    Terminal or PowerShell on computer-->

    3. Applications for viewing passwords (require root or older versions of Android)

    There are applications that promise to show saved Wi-Fi passwords, but most of them Google Play There are apps that promise to show saved Wi-Fi passwords, but most of them does not work without root access or require outdated versions Android (up to Android 9). Below are proven utilities with a description of their capabilities:

    Application Requires root? Works on Android 10+? Features
    WiFi Password Viewer ❌ No ❌ Only up to Android 9 Shows passwords from system files without superuser rights, but outdated.
    WiFi Key Recovery ✅ Yes ✅ Yes Requires root, but supports new versions of Android and exporting passwords to a file.
    Root Browser ✅ Yes ✅ Yes File manager with access to system folders. Passwords are stored in /data/misc/wifi/.

    ⚠️ Attention: Installing applications from third-party sources (not Google Play) can harm the device. Before using, check the reviews and reputation of the developer. On Android 12+ even root applications may not work due to changes in security policy.

    Why did applications stop working on new Android?

    Starting from Android 10Google has tightened access to system files. Applications without root cannot read /data/misc/wifi/and with root they require manual confirmation of access through Magisk or similar tools. In addition, some manufacturers (for example, Huawei) block such operations at the firmware level.

    4. Retrieving a password using root access

    If your smartphone has root installed (for example, via Magisk), you can directly read the password file. This method is universal and works on all versions Androidbut requires superuser rights a file manager with root access (for example Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).

    Instructions:

    1. Open the file manager with root access.
    2. Go to the path: 
      /data/misc/wifi/

      or (for new versions of Android):

      /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml
    3. Find the line with SSID (network name) and PreSharedKey (password).
    4. Copy the value PreSharedKey —this is the required password.

      5. On some firmware (for example, MIUI 14+) the path to the file may differ. If the folder /data/misc/wifi/ empty, check /data/vendor/wifi/ or use the command find /data -name "wifi" in a terminal with root.

      💡

      If you use Magisk, enable the option MagiskHide before viewing system files - this will help bypass blocking of some manufacturers.

      5. Alternative methods: backup and reset the router

      If none of the above methods worked, there are two radical options left:

      • 🔄 Resetting the router settings. Press the button Reset on the back of the router (hold for 10-15 seconds). After the reset, the network will be named by default (for example, TP-Link_1234), and the password is indicated on the device sticker.
      • 📱 Backup Wi-Fi settings. On some smartphones (for example, Samsung), you can create a backup of networks via Settings → Cloud and accounts → Backup. Restore the backup on another device - the password will be saved.

      ⚠️ Attention: Resetting the router will delete all user settings, including tethered devices, port forwarding i guest networks. Use this method only as a last resort.

      6. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

      When trying to retrieve a password, users often encounter typical problems. Here are the most common ones and how to solve them:

      • 🚫 There is no "Share" item in the Wi-Fi settings.
        → Check the Android version (there is no this option for Android 9 and older). Use ADB or the root method.
      • 🔌 ADB does not see the device.
        → Install drivers for your smartphone model (for example, Samsung USB Driver for devices Samsung). Restart your PC and phone.
      • 🔒 The file with passwords is empty or encrypted.
        → On new firmware (for example, One UI 5+) the data is stored in encrypted form. Try TWRP + ADB in recovery mode.

      If you use custom ROM (for example, LineageOS), the paths to the files may differ. In this case, searching for the command will help:

      adb shell

      su
      

      find / -name "wifi" 2>/dev/null

      💡

      On smartphones with Android 12+ and firmware from manufacturers (for example, Xiaomi, Oppo), standard methods are often blocked. In such cases, the only reliable way is to root or reset the router.

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

      Yes, but only Android 10+ through the settings (section "Share"). On older versions or custom firmware (for example ColorOS), this method may not work. An alternative is to use QR code from the "Share" screen if you need to connect another device.

      Why does ADB give a "permission denied" error?

      This means that you do not have permission to read system files. Solutions:

      • Get root access (for example, through Magisk).
      • Use TWRP and mount /data in mode read-write.
      • Try an alternative command: adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml.

    Will the method with ADB work on Samsung with One UI?

    On devices Samsung c One UI (especially Android 12+) the path to the Wi-Fi files is often changed. Try: 

    adb shell

    su -c "ls /data/vendor/wifi/"

    If the folder is empty, use Samsung Smart Switch to backup the network settings (the password will be saved in the backup).

    Is it possible to extract the password from a phone that does not turn on?

    If the smartphone does not start, but recovery (for example, TWRP) works, connect via ADB in recovery mode: 

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

    If the recovery is standard, there is little chance - you will need disassembling the phone and connect to eMMC via a programmer (for experienced users).

    Is it legal to use these methods?

    Extracting the password from your own the device and router to which you have access does not break the law. However, hacking other people's networks (including through vulnerabilities in WPS) is prosecuted under article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Illegal access to computer information").