The situation when you have forgotten the password for your wireless network happens quite often. This could happen after purchasing a new device, taking a long vacation, or simply because access to the network was automatic and there was no longer a need to enter a security key. However, when there is a need to connect a new gadget or give access to guests, the lack of saved data becomes a serious problem.
Fortunately, if you have a smartphone on hand that has previously successfully connected to this network, you can restore information in several ways. Modern versions of the operating system provide convenient tools for viewing saved networks, and in older cases, specialized applications or access to the settings of the router itself will help. We will consider all current methods, from the simplest to the most advanced. Android, which previously successfully connected to this network, information can be restored in several ways. Modern versions of the operating system provide convenient tools for viewing saved networks, and in older cases, specialized applications or access to the settings of the router itself will help. We will consider all current methods, from the simplest to the advanced.
It is important to understand that recovery methods depend on the version of your OS and device model. On Android 10 and above, the process is simplified as much as possible thanks to built-in security features, while on older versions you may need root access or physical access to the equipment. Don't panic if the standard path doesn't work - alternative solutions almost always exist.
Viewing the password through the system settings Android 10 and later
Starting with the tenth version of Google's mobile operating system, the function of viewing saved Wi-Fi passwords has been built directly into the settings interface. This is the safest and fastest method that does not require installing third-party software. You do not need to be an expert in the field of information technology to perform this procedure.
To begin, open the menu Settings on your smartphone and go to the Connections or Network and Internetsection. The name of the item may differ slightly depending on the manufacturer's shell, for example, MIUI from Xiaomi or One UI from Samsung. Find the item Wi-Fi and click on it to see a list of available networks.
In the list of networks, find the one you are currently connected to, or select a saved network from the archive (this feature is available in some firmwares). Click on the gear icon next to the network name or simply tap on the network name. The icon QR code or the “Share” button should appear in the menu that opens. Click on it.
⚠️ Attention: To view the QR code or password text, the system will require you to confirm your identity. You will have to enter a digital screen unlock PIN, pattern, or place your finger on the fingerprint scanner. This is a security measure that protects your data from outsiders.
After successful authentication, a QR code containing encrypted network information will appear on the screen. Under this code, in most cases, the password itself will be written in text form. If the text is hidden by asterisks, take a screenshot of the screen. Then open this screenshot through any QR code scanner or application Google Lensand you will see the decrypted security key.
If there is no password text under the QR code, take a screenshot and open it in the Google Photos app. Click on the “Lens” button, and the system automatically reads the data from the code and displays the password in text.
Using the “Share” functions in different shells
Smartphone manufacturers often modify the standard Android interface, adding their own unique features. The password viewing process may look different on devices from different brands. Understanding these differences will help you quickly find the desired button in the menu.
Owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco with shell MIUI or HyperOS must click on the name of the active network in the Wi-Fi menu. The system will immediately generate a QR code. The password is usually displayed right below the graph. If it is not there, use the screenshot as described above.
Users of devices Samsung with a shell One UI may encounter that the password is not displayed immediately. In this case, after the QR code appears, you need to click on the “Save as image” button or take a screenshot. Next, the image is opened through the gallery, and using the built-in text analyzer, the required combination of characters is extracted.
- 📱 Xiaomi/Redmi: The password is often visible immediately below the QR code in clear text.
- 🔒 Samsung: Additional action is required with a screenshot or a third-party scanner.
- 🤖 Stock Android (Pixel, Motorola): Standard interface with a "Share" button and with a hidden password.
- 🎨 Realme/Oppo: The ColorOS interface is similar to the stock one, but sometimes requires clicking on the eye icon.
It is worth noting that on some devices with custom firmware, the viewing function can be completely hidden by the developer for increased security. In such cases, proceed to the following methods.
View saved networks through system files (needs Root)
If you have a device with an old version of Android (below 10) or the manufacturer has blocked the viewing function, the only programmatic way is to access the system configuration files. This method requires having root access (superuser rights), which give complete control over the operating system.
Obtaining root access is a risky procedure that can lead to loss of warranty or disruption of banking applications. However, if the rights have already been obtained, the password recovery process becomes trivial. You will need a file manager that supports root access, for example Root Explorer or Solid Explorer.
After granting the application superuser rights, you need to go to the following path in the root directory:
/data/misc/wifi/This folder contains a file called WifiConfigStore.xml (in new versions) or wpa_supplicant.conf (in older versions of Android). Open this file as a text document. Inside you will find a list of all the networks to which the phone has ever connected.
| Field name in the file | Description of contents | Where to look for the password |
|---|---|---|
SSID |
The name of your wireless network | Look for the desired network name in list |
PreSharedKey |
Network security key | The value next to this tag is your password |
Prot |
Security protocol type | Usually WPA2 or WPA3 |
Priority |
Connection priority | The higher the number, the more priority the network |
⚠️ Attention: Never delete or change lines in the configuration file other than the ones you are reading. An error in the file syntax may cause the Wi-Fi module on the phone to stop working correctly until the next reset.
After finding the block that matches your network, copy the parameter value PreSharedKey. This is the password you are looking for. After viewing, close the file without saving changes if you did not change anything.
What to do if the file is encrypted?
In some new versions of Android (starting from 11), the configuration file may be encrypted. In this case, even with root access, you will see a set of incomprehensible characters. The only way out is to use router reset methods or view through a connected Windows device.
Logging into the router control panel via a browser
If the phone cannot show the password directly, you can try to find it out through the web interface of the router itself. To do this, the phone must be connected to a Wi-Fi network (even if you do not know the password, the connection has already been established). This method is universal and works on any device.
Open any browser on your smartphone (Chrome, Samsung Internet, Firefox) 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 is usually written on a sticker on the bottom of the device.
The system will ask for a login and password to enter the administrative panel. By default, this is often a pair admin / admin or admin / password. This data is also indicated on a sticker on the back of the router. If you changed them earlier and forgot, this method will not work without resetting the equipment.
After successful login, find the section responsible for the wireless network. It may be called Wireless, Wi-Fi Settings, Wireless mode or WLAN. Inside this section there will be a field Wireless Password, PSK or Security key. The password may be hidden by asterisks, but there is usually an eye icon or a “Show password” checkbox next to it, which makes the characters visible.
The web interface of the router is the only way to change the password to a more complex one without knowing the current one, if you have access to the admin panel.
Resetting the router to factory settings
This is an extreme measure that should be resorted to if none of the software methods helped, and access to the admin panel is blocked by a changed password. A reset will return the router to the state it was in when purchased, including the standard Wi-Fi password indicated on the sticker.
Find the Reset or WPS/Resetbutton on the router case. It is often recessed into the body to avoid accidental pressing. You will need a thin object, such as a paper clip or toothpick. When the router is powered on, press this button and hold it for 10-15 seconds.
The indicators on the front panel should blink or go out, signaling a reboot. After the device boots up, the network will be named as indicated on the sticker (for example, TP-Link_5G_234), and the password will correspond to the standard value Default Key from the same sticker.
⚠️ Attention: After resetting the settings, you will have to reconfigure your Internet connection settings (PPPoE, L2TP or static IP) if your ISP requires authorization. Make sure that you have a contract with your provider at hand, where this data is indicated.
The disadvantage of this method is that all connected devices will lose connection to the network and will have to be reconnected by entering a new (old factory) password. The speed limit, guest network and parental control settings will also be reset.
☑️ Actions after resetting the router
Using third-party recovery applications
In the store Google Play there are many applications that promise to show you forgotten passwords. Most of them are only effective on rooted devices, as they are essentially a convenient wrapper for reading a system file wpa_supplicant.conf, which we talked about above.
Popular applications, such as WiFi Password Viewer or WiFi Key Recovery, scan the system and display a list of networks in a convenient tabular form. They save time searching for the desired line in a text file. However, without root access, such apps are often useless and only show ads.
There are also applications that work without root, but require connecting the phone to the computer via USB and enabling USB debugging. They use a protocol ADB to retrieve a backup copy of Wi-Fi settings, which is then decrypted on the PC. This is a more complex, but working method for advanced users.
Be careful when installing such software. Check the permissions that the application requests. If a simple password viewer requires access to your contacts, microphone or camera, this is an alarming sign indicating potentially malicious software.
Is it possible to find out the password if the phone has never connected to this network?
No, software methods only work with data stored in the device's memory. If the phone does not know the password, it will not be able to “snoop” it. In this case, only a sticker on the router, logging into the admin panel (if you know the password for it) or resetting the equipment will help.
Is it safe to use applications to recover passwords?
Using trusted applications from the official Google Play store is relatively safe, especially if you already have root access. However, remember that giving full rights to the system always carries risks. Avoid downloading APK files from third-party sites.
What to do if the password sticker on the router has been erased?
If the sticker is unreadable and you don’t remember the password from the admin panel, the only way out is to completely reset the router with the Reset button. After this, the password will become standard for your router model, which can be found on the Internet by the device model number.
Why is the password not shown under the QR code on Android 12?
In some security updates, Google has hidden the text display of the password, leaving only the QR code. This is done to protect against snooping. In this case, be sure to use a screenshot and the Google Lens application or any other QR code scanner for decryption.