The user is trying to connect a new smartphone to a familiar Wi-Fi network, but cannot remember the saved password, since it is not displayed in the standard input field when trying to manually enter the key on an Android device.
Starting with the tenth version, Google engineers have introduced a native generation function QR codes for active access points. This solution not only simplifies the transfer of settings between devices, but also allows you to visually read the encrypted security key. You no longer need to be a system administrator or have deep technical knowledge to solve this problem directly from the screen of your smartphone.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the current methods for retrieving a saved password. We will look at the standard system tools for different firmware versions, the nuances of working with superuser rights and third-party utilities. The main thing is to understand that the menu interface may differ slightly depending on the manufacturer of your device, be it Samsung, Xiaomi or pure Pixel.
Standard method through the settings for Android 10 and later
The easiest and safest way to find out the access key is available to users whose devices are running Android 10 and above. The system automatically hides the password in text form, but provides it in the form of a pattern lock that can be decrypted.
To begin, open the main settings menu of your smartphone and go to the section responsible for wireless connections. In different shells, this item may be called differently: Connections, Network and Internet or simply Wi-Fi. Find the network to which you are currently connected in the list and click on the gear icon or arrow to the right of the name.
On the connection (details) screen you will see a button Share or icon QR code. When you click on it, the system will ask you to confirm your identity using a fingerprint, face scanner or screen unlock PIN. This is a necessary measure securityto prevent outsiders from accessing your data.
⚠️ Attention: On some smartphone models (for example, older versions of MIUI or EMUI shells) a text password may be immediately displayed under the QR code. If there is no text, the code will have to be scanned with a second device.
After successful authentication, a large square code will appear on the screen. The password in clear text is often duplicated under it. If there is no text line, just point the camera of any other smartphone at this code. The system will automatically recognize the connection string and show you all the data, including the security key.
If you don't have a second phone handy to scan, take a screenshot of the QR code screen. Then open Google Lens directly in the gallery and select this photo - the application will read the code and show the password.
Interface features in different manufacturers' shells
Although the basic operating logic is the same, electronics manufacturers often make their own changes to the design and layout of controls. This can confuse an inexperienced user looking for the treasured settings export button. Android However, electronics manufacturers often make their own changes to the design and layout of controls. This can confuse an inexperienced user looking for the coveted settings export button.
Owners of devices Samsung with the One UI shell usually find the desired option at the very bottom of the network properties window. The button may be named QR code or have a corresponding icon. In devices Xiaomi (MIUI/HyperOS), the button Share is located in the center, and the password is often written in small print immediately below the signal graph.
Smartphones from Google (Pixel series) and Motorola with a clean interface follow the canons of stock Android: the button Share is located at the top of the network details screen. On devices Huawei i Honor this function is also present, but may require additional confirmation through a Huawei ID account in some regions.
| Brand / Shell | Section name | Button location | Display nuances |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung (One UI) | Connections | At the bottom of the screen | Requires biometric confirmation |
| Xiaomi (MIUI) | Wi-Fi | Center of the screen | The password is often visible in the text under the code |
| Google Pixel | Network and Internet | Top right | Standard view without unnecessary elements |
| Realme UI | Wi-Fi | Under the network name | It is possible to hide the password asterisks |
If you cannot find the button you need, try updating the device firmware to the latest available version. The password export function has become an industry standard, and it is almost guaranteed to be present in current software builds.
What should Android 9 owners do? and older versions
Users of devices running on Android 9 Pie and below, less fortunate. These versions of the operating system do not have a built-in mechanism for generating QR codes and viewing saved keys through a graphical interface. The system stores data in an encrypted system file, access to which is prohibited for ordinary applications.
The only working way for such devices is to obtain root access (superuser rights). This gives full access to the file system, allowing you to read network configuration files. However, this process is fraught with risks: you may lose the warranty on the device or compromise its stability.
After obtaining root access, you will need a file manager with support for system partitions, for example Root Explorer or Solid Explorer. You need to follow the path /data/misc/wifi/ and open the file wpa_supplicant.conf using a text editor. Inside this file, records of all ever connected networks are stored.
⚠️ Attention: Obtaining root access will void the manufacturer's warranty and can lead to bricking of the phone if you act carelessly. Make a complete backup copy of your data before starting the procedure!
In the open file, look for blocks starting with the word network. Inside such a block you are interested in the line psk="your_password". The value in quotes is the security key you are looking for. Be extremely careful when editing this file: any extra comma or deleted character may cause the Wi-Fi module to stop working correctly.
Alternative for older Androids without Root
If you don't want to root your phone, try to remember the password via the router's web interface. Connect to it through a browser (the address is usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1), enter the administrator login/password (often admin/admin) and look at the wireless network settings in the Wireless Security section.
Using third-party applications to restore access
Store Google Play offers many utilities that promise to show you forgotten passwords. However, it is important to understand how they work. Without root access, most of these applications cannot read the system file directly.
Many popular apps, such as WiFi Password Viewer or similar ones, actually simply automate the process of creating a QR code, if your version of Android allows it. They act as a convenient add-on to the standard functionality of the system, collecting data from open APIs.
- 📱 WiFi Map: A popular application that not only shows passwords from neighboring networks (added by users), but can also help restore access to your own point through environmental analysis.
- 🔓 WiFi Password Recovery: A utility that requires Root access to directly read configuration files. Suitable for older devices where standard methods do not work.
- 🛡️ WiFi Analyzer: Although the main purpose of this tool is to analyze the signal and channels, some versions have functions for exporting connection profiles, which can be useful in complex diagnostics.
Be careful when installing such software. Avoid apps with suspicious permissions that require access to your contacts, SMS, or microphone. To work with Wi-Fi settings, you only need rights to manage network connections.
Most applications without root access on new versions of Android simply duplicate the QR code generation function built into the system. Installing additional software is often impractical.
Transferring a password without viewing it (Nearby Share and Quick Share)
Sometimes you do not need to know the text of the password itself, but just need to connect another device to the network. In the Android ecosystem, there are protocols for contactless data transfer that allow you to broadcast Wi-Fi settings directly.
The Nearby Share function (in new versions renamed to Quick Share) allows you to instantly transfer a network profile from one phone to another. To do this, on the receiving device you need to select a network from the list of available ones, and the system will offer to request access from a nearby phone that is already connected.
The source device will ask you to confirm the transfer. After pressing the button Accept or Share, the settings will automatically be registered in the memory of the second gadget. This method is ideal when you need to connect a guest's tablet or phone without dictating a complex combination of characters.
This protocol uses a combination of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct to establish a secure communication channel. The transfer speed is instantaneous, and the process is completely encrypted, which eliminates the possibility of data interception by attackers located nearby.
☑️ Checking readiness for transfer
Technical limitations and data security
The ability to view passwords is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, this is convenient for the user, on the other hand, it is a potential vulnerability if the phone falls into the wrong hands. That is why modern versions of Android require mandatory biometric or PIN code authentication before displaying a QR code.
Storing passwords in a file wpa_supplicant.conf in older versions was carried out in clear text, which was a critical vulnerability. In new versions, the keys are encrypted and tied to the device's hardware ID, making file theft useless without physical access to the smartphone itself and unlocking it.
If you suspect that your password has been compromised, do not simply try to change it in the phone settings. You need to go to the router control panel and change the security key there. After this, all connected devices will require re-authorization with a new password.
⚠️ Attention: Settings interfaces and menu item names may change with software updates. If you do not find the described buttons, check the official documentation for your phone model on the manufacturer's website.
Regularly changing passwords and using complex combinations (capital letters, numbers, special characters) remains the best way to protect your home network. Do not use simple sequences like 12345678 or date of birth, as they are selected by automatic utilities in a matter of seconds.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I find out the Wi-Fi password if I am not currently connected to this network, but have been connected before?
Yes, if you have Android 10 and higher. Go to Wi-Fi settings, find the saved network in the list (sometimes you need to click “Add network” or look at “Saved networks”), click on it and select the “Share” option or QR code. The system will show the data even without an active connection.
Why is there no "Share" button or QR code on my phone?
Most likely, you have an Android version lower than 10. Android 9 and older do not have this feature at the system level. Also, the manufacturer of your smartphone could programmatically limit this feature in its shell.
Is it safe to use applications to view passwords from the Play Market?
Applications that do not require root access is safe because they use legal system APIs. However, avoid apps that require strange permissions. For older phones with root access, the risk depends on trust in the developer of the utility.
What to do if the QR code scanner does not read the code from the screen?
Try increasing the screen brightness to maximum. Make sure the camera focuses clearly on the image. If it doesn’t help, take a screenshot and open it through the Google Lens application - this method works more reliably than pointing the camera directly.
Is it possible to transfer a password to an iPhone via a QR code from Android?
Yes, the iPhone camera can read standard Wi-Fi QR codes. After scanning, a notification “Connect to the network...” will appear on the screen, clicking on which will automatically enter a password and establish a connection.