Where Xiaomi Redmi stores application passwords: system folders, managers and risks

Have you ever forgotten a password from a social network or a banking application, but the Xiaomi Redmi smartphone automatically substituted it when you log in? Iliperhaps wondered where exactly the phone stores this data — in the cloud, in the memory of the device or in protected sections of MIUI? In this article, we will analyze in detail where the passwords from the applications on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are physically and logically stored, what mechanisms are responsible for this, and why this data is simply not found.

It’s important to understand that modern Android devices (including Redmi Note 12, Redmi 10 or POCO X5) don’t store passwords in plain form — they’re encrypted at the system, application, and even hardware level. But that doesn’t mean they’re impossible to extract. We’ll look at all the possible storage locations, from Google’s standard password manager to hidden /data/system folders, and explain why some methods can lead to device or data loss.

We warn you in advance: some methods require root rights or special tools like ADB. If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to use official methods of password recovery through the applications themselves.

1. Standard password storage locations in MIUI

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones based on MIUI use several layers of authorization data storage, most of which are integrated into the system and do not require manual control from the user.

• 🔑 Google Smart Lock – syncs passwords through Google account (works if you have Settings enabled) → Google → Managing a Google Account → Security).
• 📱 MIUI Account – Xiaomi’s own password manager (available in Settings) → Passwords and security → Password manager MIUI).
• 🔐 Keystore Android – hardware key storage where application data is encrypted (for example, banking).
• 🗃️ System files - folders /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases and /data/system, where tokens and hashes are stored.

The easiest way to see saved passwords is to go to the MIUI Password Manager.

1. Open the Settings.
2. Go to the Passwords and Security section.
3. Choose the MIUI Password Manager.
4. Sign in with your fingerprint or PIN-code.

Here you will see a list of apps and sites that have logins/passwords saved, but not all apps share their data with MIUI — many (e.g., banking) store it in their secure container.

2. Where application passwords are stored in the file system

If you want to find passwords manually (such as through Root Explorer or ADB), look for them in the following folders:

However, you can’t just read these files:

• 🔒 Passwords are stored in encrypted form (AES-256 or similar algorithms).
• 🛡️ Encryption keys are tied to the hardware module (TrustZone or Titan M on new models).
• ⚠️ Any change to system files may cause a failure MIUI (up to the bootloop").

⚠️ Note: If you delete or damage files in /data/system, Your smartphone may stop recognizing fingerprints, PIN-codes and even block access to Wi-Fi. Backup is mandatory!

3. Passwords in applications: where and how they are saved

Every Android app (and MIUI in particular) can store passwords in its own way.

• 🏦 Banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff, Alpha-Click): use Secure Enclave (hardware security module) or Android Keystore. Passwords are not stored in the file system in plain form.
• 📘 Social media (VK, Telegram, Instagram: can save access tokens in the /data/data/[package_name]/shared_prefs (for example, com.vkontakte.android.xml).
• 🔑 Password managers (1Password, KeePass: Store data in its encrypted container (usually in a /data/data/[package_name]/files).
• 🌐 Browsers (Chrome, Mi Browser): sync passwords with a Google or Xiaomi account.

For example, to find saved passwords in Google Chrome:

1. Open the browser.
2. Move to the ⋮ → Settings → Passwords.
3. Log in on the PIN-code-print.

For Telegram, passwords (if two-factor authentication is enabled) are stored in the company cloud, but local session keys can be found at /data/data/org.telegram.messenger/files.

4. How to extract passwords with ADB (without root)

If you don’t have root rights, you have access to ADB (debugging USB), You can try to extract some data, for example, you can get a list of installed applications and their packages:

adb shell pm list packages -f

And then try pulling out SharedPreferences (where tokens are sometimes stored):

adb shell run-as com.example.app cat /data/data/com.example.app/shared_prefs/com.example.app_preferences.xml

But most of the apps that we have today don't store passwords in plain form, even here, but instead you'll see encrypted lines like:

<string name="auth_token">xYz123...</string>

To decrypt, you will need keys that are stored in Keystore and are not available without root.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB For data extraction, it may be considered a violation of the user agreement of some applications (for example, banking applications.

5. Risks and consequences of manual password extraction

Before you try to get passwords from system files, assess the possible risks:

• 🚨 Data loss: Incorrectly changing files in /data It can cause resets or removal of applications.
• 🔓 Security breach: If you extract passwords and they are accessed by third parties, your accounts may be compromised.
• 📵 Device lock: Some applications (such as Google Pay) block access when changes to system partitions are detected.
• ⚖️ Legal consequences: In some countries, extracting passwords without the consent of the account holder is considered a violation of the law.

If you really need to restore access to your account, it is better to use official methods:

• The "Forgot your password?" function in the app.
• Appeal in support of the service (for banks, social networks).
• Recovery via a linked email or phone.

💡

Manually extracting passwords is a last resort, and it is easier and safer to restore access through standard application mechanisms in 90% of cases.

6. Alternative ways to manage passwords on Xiaomi Redmi

Instead of looking for passwords in system files, use more secure methods:

• 🔄 Exports from Password Manager MIUI: Open the Settings. → Passwords and security → Password manager MIUI. Press. ⋮ → Password export: Save the file to a secure location (e.g., in Google Drive with encryption).

Third-party password managers:

Bitwarden

KeePassDX

1Password

Autocomplete from Google:

Settings → System → Language and input → Autocomplete → Google Autocomplete Service

For Bitwarden, for example, the setup process looks like this:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Create an account and a master password.
3. Import passwords from MIUI Manager or Google Smart Lock.
4. Enable autocomplete in Android settings.

Not only is it safer, it’s also more convenient – you’ll be able to use passwords on other devices (PCs, tablets).

💡

If you often forget passwords, set up MIUI to back up to Xiaomi cloud: Settings → About phone → Backup and Reset → Backup to Mi Cloud. This will save not only passwords, but also system settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about password storage on Xiaomi Redmi