How to get the Wi-Fi password from Android: official and hidden methods

Forgot your home Wi-Fi password and there is no sticker with the code on your router? Or do you need to share your network with a friend, but don’t want to get into the router settings? On an Android smartphone that is already connected to this network, the password is stored in the system - all that remains is to retrieve it. The methods vary in complexity: from standard functions in the phone menu to the use of engineering commands for experienced users.

It is important to understand that not all methods are universal. On some firmware (for example, MIUI from Xiaomi or One UI from Samsung) the password can be viewed in two clicks, but on “pure” Android additional steps will be required. We will look at the options without root access (for most users) and with root access (for advanced ones), and also tell you how to bypass manufacturer restrictions.

We warn you right away: if the phone is not connected to the target Wi-Fi network, none of the methods will work. Also note that some methods may require ADB (Android Debugging Tool) or special applications. Are you ready? Then let's get started.

1. Standard method: viewing the password in the network settings (does not work on all phones)

The easiest method is to look at the connection settings. Unfortunately, it is not available on all devices. Manufacturers often hide this option “for security”, but on some firmware it remains.

Here's where to look:

• 📱 Xiaomi (MIUI 12 and newer): Settings → Wi-Fi → tap on the name of your network → Show password (you will need to enter a PIN code or fingerprint).
• 🤖 Google Pixel / "pure" Android: Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi → select network → Share (a QR code will open with password).
• 🌐 Samsung (One UI): Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi → click on the gear next to the network → QR code (the password will be at the bottom of the screen).

If there is no “Show password” or “Share” item in your menu, then the manufacturer has removed it. In this case, proceed to the following methods.

⚠️ Attention: On phones with Android 10 and newer, the password viewing function may be blocked by security policies. For example, on Huawei i Honor this method almost never works.

2. Using a network QR code (an alternative for phones without root)

If there is no direct access to the password in the settings, but there is an option Share or QR code, you can extract the password indirectly. Many phones generate a QR code to quickly connect other devices - it also contains a password.

How to do it:

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi and tap on your network.
2. Select Share or QR code (names may vary).
3. Take a photo of the QR code with another phone or scan it using an application like QR & Barcode Scanner.
4. In the resulting line, find the parameter p= or password= - after it a password will be specified.

Example line from a QR code:

WIFI:T:WPA;S:MyWiFi;P:mysecretpassword123;;

Here P:mysecretpassword123 is the password.

3. Method with ADB: retrieving the password through a computer (without root)

If the previous methods did not work, and root access you don’t, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This is an official debugging tool from Google that allows you to execute commands on your phone with computer.

You will need:

• 🖥️ A computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 📱 USB cable for connecting your phone.
• 🔧 Enabled USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About phone → Build number (tap 7 times) → return to Settings → System → For developers).
• 📦 Installed ADB drivers (you can download from Android Studio website).

Step-by-step guide:

1. Connect your phone to the computer and enable USB debugging.
2. Open a Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell
su -c "cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml | grep -oP '(?<=psk=\").*(?=\")'"

If the command did not work, try an alternative:

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

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

⚠️ Attention: On Android 9 and newer, the path to the password file may differ. If the command returned an error Permission denied, then the method will not work without root access.

Install ADB drivers on the PC

Enable USB debugging on the phone

Connect the phone with the original cable

Allow access to data on the phone (if prompted)

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4. Applications for viewing passwords (require root or special conditions)

There are dozens of applications that promise to show saved Wi-Fi passwords. However, most of them either do not work without Google Play There are dozens of apps that promise to show you your saved Wi-Fi passwords. However, most of them either do not work without root accessor require connection to a computer. We tested several and selected those that at least somehow performed their function.

Application	Root required?	Features	Link
WiFi Password Viewer	❌ No	Works only on older versions of Android (up to 9). The new ones show a QR code.	Google Play
WiFi Password Recovery	✅ Yes	Shows all saved passwords, but requires root. There is export to a file.	Google Play
Root Browser	✅ Yes	File manager with access to system folders. Passwords are stored in /data/misc/wifi/.	Google Play

If you do not have root access, these applications are unlikely to help. However, on phones with MIUI or Flyme sometimes a workaround works: some applications can read passwords from the system cache if they were recently entered manually.

How to trick applications without root?

Some applications (for example, WiFi Password Viewer) may show the password if you have just connected to the network manually. The system temporarily stores it in RAM. Try:

1. Disconnect from Wi-Fi.

2. Connect again by entering your password manually.

3. Quickly open the application - sometimes the password is displayed in time.

5. Manual password extraction with root access (for advanced)

If your phone has root access, you can manually find the password file. This method works on 99% of devices, but requires caution - incorrect actions can disrupt the system.

Instructions:

1. Install any root explorer (for example, Root Explorer or Solid Explorer with root access enabled).
2. Go to the path:

   /data/misc/wifi/

   or (on new versions of Android):

   /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml

3. Open file WifiConfigStore.xml in a text editor.
4. Find blocks with the tag <network>. Inside there will be a line:

   your_password

On some firmware (for example LineageOS), passwords can be stored in encrypted form. In this case, the command will help:

su
cat /data/misc/wifi/*.conf

⚠️ Attention: Changing or deleting files in /data/misc/wifi/ can lead to losing all saved networks. Make backup copies!

6. Alternative methods: if nothing helps

If none of the methods worked, radical measures remain. Here's what you can try:

• 🔄 Resetting the router: Click the button Reset on the back of the router (hold for 10 seconds). This will reset the password to the factory one (indicated on the sticker).
• 📡 Connecting via WPS: If the router supports WPS, you can connect without a password (but this method is insecure and is often disabled).
• 💻 Login to the panel router: Open 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1in the browser, enter your login/password (usually admin/admin), and look at the password in the Wi-Fi settings.

Important: If you rent a home or use a corporate network, resetting the router may violate the rules of use. Check the access rights with the network administrator.

If the phone is not yours (for example, you are trying to “borrow” Wi-Fi from a friend), remember: unauthorized access to other people's networks may be considered a violation of the law (in Russia - Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation “Illegal access to computer information”). All methods in this article are intended to work only with own devices and networks.

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

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

No, not on any phone. On most modern smartphones (especially with “pure” Android or firmware from Samsung, Huawei), you cannot get a password without root or ADB. The exception is phones Xiaomi and some models Realmewhere there is a built-in viewing function.

Why does ADB not show the password, although debugging is enabled?

Most likely, you Android 10+where access to system files are limited. Also, the reason may be:

• Lack of superuser rights (su does not work).
• Changed path to the Wi-Fi configuration file (on some firmware it has been moved).
• Blocking the command by the manufacturer (for example, on Huawei).

Try an alternative command: adb shell settings get global wifi_watchlist.

Is it possible to find out the password for Wi-Fi to which the phone was connected a long time ago?

Yes, if the network is saved in the phone's memory. Passwords are stored in the system file until you forget the network manually or do not reset the settings. However, on some firmware old passwords may be encrypted, and without root they cannot be retrieved.

Is it safe to use applications for hacking Wi-Fi?

Absolutely not. Applications that promise to “hack” other people’s networks:

• Often contain viruses or spyware.
• May violate the laws of your country.
• Do not work on modern routers with WPA3.

The only legal way is to get the password from the owner of the network or reset the router (if it is yours).

How to protect your Wi-Fi from password extraction?

To make it harder for those who try to find out your password:

• Use WPA3 instead of WPA2 (in settings router).
• Disable WPS - this is a vulnerable protocol.
• Change the password regularly (every 3-6 months).
• Configure MAC filtering (allow connections only to known devices).

Also, do not store the password in notes or screenshots on the phone.