Where on Xiaomi stored passwords from applications: system folders, MIUI and Google services

Why Xiaomi Passwords Are Hard to Find – and Where Criminals Are Looking for Them

Have you ever wondered where the saved passwords went? VK, Instagram or a banking app after a phone reset? on Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi and the likes of the two). POCO) Logins and passwords are scattered across multiple system storages — and not all of them are available to the user without special tools, unlike the iPhone, where data is synchronized through iCloud Keychain, Android (especially with the shell). MIUI) Uses a combination of Google Smart Lock, Xiaomi’s own services and encrypted files deep inside the system.

The main problem: starting with MIUI 12 Android 10 Xiaomi actively encrypts system folders with passwords, and access to them is blocked even for users with root permissions, which is done for security, but creates difficulties if you need to transfer passwords to a new phone or restore access to your account. Attackers exploit vulnerabilities in older versions MIUI (before 14-where passwords could be stored in plain form in folders such as /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases.

In this article, we will discuss:

• 🔍 Official ways to view passwords (through MIUI Google)
• 📁 Hidden system folders where tokens and password hashes are stored
• 🔐 How to export passwords without root (and why it’s not always possible)
• ⚠️ Risks of using third-party applications to extract passwords

1.The official method: MIUI Password Manager and Google Smart Lock

The safest (and most limited) method is to use the built-in tools of Xiaomi and Google, which allow you to view only those passwords that were saved through the browser or system dialogues.

V MIUI This is the responsibility of the Password Manager app to get there:

1. Open the Settings. → Passwords and security.
2. Choose a Password Manager (may be called Password Management in older versions).
3. Sign in via Mi Account or lock screen pin.

Here you will see passwords saved through:

• 🌐 Mi Browser or Chrome (if sync is enabled)
• 📱 Applications that use a system-based save dialog (e.g. Twitter, Facebook)
• 🔑 Some banking applications (if integrated with the MIUI)

⚠️ Attention: Password Manager MIUI does not show logins / passwords from applications that store data themselves (for example, Telegram, WhatsApp, most games.

The alternative is Google Smart Lock (formerly Google Password Manager). MIUI And it stores the passwords in a Google account:

1. Go to passwords.google.com (from phone or PC).
2. Sign in with the same account as Xiaomi.
3. Check the Save Passwords section.

💡

MIUI Password Manager and Google Smart Lock only show passwords saved through system dialogs. Data from apps that store logins themselves is not available here.

2.Where Xiaomi physically stores passwords in the system (technical details)

If the official methods don't work, you'll have to dig deeper, and Android passwords (including Xiaomi) are stored in a few secure places, and it's important to understand that accessing them without root is almost impossible -- and root requires caution so you don't damage the system.

Main locations:

• 📂 /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db — This can store tokens and password hashes for some system applications. The file is encrypted starting with Android. 9.
• 🔐 /data/system/locksettings.db — It contains data about the lock screen, but sometimes also keys for decrypting other storages.
• 🗝️ /data/misc/keystore — a folder with cryptographic keys, including those used to encrypt passwords.
• 📱 /data/data/com.xiaomi.account/databases — Mi Account database, where tokens of access to Xiaomi services can be stored.

Starting with MIUI 14 and Android 13, Xiaomi has introduced an additional layer of encryption – File-Based Encryption (FBE). This means that even with root, you can't just copy password files and read them on another device.

⚠️ Note: Direct editing of files in /data/data/ For example, damage to locksettings.db often requires a complete reset (hard reset).

3. How to export passwords without root: working methods

If you don't have root rights, there are few options, but there are. The rule is, sync everything in advance, and once you lose access to your phone, your chances of recovering your passwords are slimming to zero.

Ways to export without root:

• 🔄 Sync with Google: Enable password saving in Chrome (Chrome Settings) → Passwords. → Save passwords. These will be available at passwords.google.com.
• 📱 MIUI Cloud Sync: In Settings → Mi Account → Sync, turn on the password option. Data will be available when you sign in to the same account on another device.
• 📤 Exports through ADB (Technically savvy only: adb backup -f passwords.ab -apk com.android.providers.settings This method creates a backup copy, but the passwords in it are encrypted.
• 🔐 Third-party password managers: Install Bitwarden, 1Password or KeePassDX and transfer data manually.

⚠️ Note: Apps like Password Viewer or Show Password from Google Play don’t work on modern versions MIUI. They exploit Android vulnerabilities 7-9, long-closed.

Synchronize passwords with Google Smart Lock

Export data from MIUI Password Manager in the file

Save a backup copy through Mi Cloud

Install a third-party password manager and transfer all logins there

Write down critical passwords (banks, mail) on paper-->

4. Removing passwords from root: risks and instructions

If you have root access, the chances of extracting passwords are higher — but the process is risky. On Xiaomi, with the bootloader unlocked and Magisk installed, you can try the following methods:

Method 1: Reading databases with SQLite

1. Install SQLite Editor from Google Play or use the adb shell.
2. Open the file. /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db.
3. Follow the request: SELECT * FROM secure WHERE name LIKE '%password%';

Method 2: Export through Titanium Backup

• Download Titanium Backup (requires root).
• Create a backup of the Settings app (com.android.settings).
• Try extracting data from the backup on the PC.

🛑 Warning: On Xiaomi with MIUI 14+ These methods often don't work because of dynamic encryption. /data/misc/keystore They're tied to a phone's hardware ID, and even if you copy files, you can't read them on another device.

The only reliable way is to use professional tools like:

• Oxygen Forensic Detective (for forensics)
• Elcomsoft Mobile Forensic Bundle (paid, license required)
• MobiKin Doctor for Android (partially works on older versions) MIUI)

These programs bypass restrictions MIUI, but they $100 and require technical skills.

1. Remove and reinstall the application – sometimes it offers to restore data from a backup.

2. Call for support for a service with a linked phone number/email.

3. Use the "Forgot Password?" feature - many apps allow you to reset it through SMS postage.-->

5. Wi-Fi passwords, VPN and other networks: where to look for them

Wi-Fi passwords, VPN And mobile networks are stored separately from applications, and extracting them is easier, but it also requires caution.

Wi-Fi passwords on Xiaomi are in the: /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml

To see them:

1. Open the file via Root Explorer or Adb pull.
2. Look for lines of view: <string name="NetworkKey">password</string>

Nana MIUI 14+ The file is encrypted, so it’s easier to use the WiFi Password Viewer app (requires root).

VPN mobile networks:

• 🔌 Passwords. VPN stored /data/data/com.android.vpndialogs/shared_prefs.
• 📡 Mobile network settings (APN) — into /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/telephony.db.

⚠️ Note: Modifying files in /data/misc/wifi/ This can cause you to lose your Wi-Fi connection, for example, if you damage it. WifiConfigStore.xml, Phone will stop seeing networks before resetting.

6.Can passwords be restored after a phone reset?

If you've done a hard reset, the chances of getting your passwords back are minimal.

Recovery methods:

• 🔄 Google Smart Lock: If passwords were synced to a Google account, they will be saved to passwords.google.com.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Check if password sync is enabled in Settings → Mi Account → Synchronization.
• 📱 Backup copy MIUI: If you have been doing backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup, try to restore it on a new phone.

Which won't help:

• ❌ Programs like Dr.Fone or Tenorshare 4uKey — They only work with the data on the phone, and after the reset, the information is erased.
• ❌ "Recovery of Deleted Files – Passwords are stored in encrypted databases, not as regular files.
• ❌ Appealing for Xiaomi – they don’t provide access to passwords for security policies.

💡 Tip: If you lose passwords regularly, set up automatic sync with Google or use third-party managers like Bitwarden, which store data in an encrypted cloud.

FAQ: Frequent questions about passwords on Xiaomi