Where Xiaomi Stores Passwords: From Wi-Fi to Apps – A Complete Search and Security Guide

Have you ever forgotten a password from your home Wi-Fi or an important account, but remember that it is stored on a Xiaomi smartphone? Did you ever worry that someone might access your stored data, POCO Mi passwords are stored in several secure areas of the system, but they can be extracted – if you know where to look.

In this article, we will look at all the password storage locations on Xiaomi smartphones, from network keys to application data, including hidden system files and cloud backups. You will learn not only how to find stored passwords, but also how to protect them from leakage or recover them after a reset. Importantly, some methods require root rights or special tools — we will warn you about the risks in advance.

The content of the article is based on current versions MIUI 14/15 And HyperOS, but most of the principles work on older firmware, too. If you're using a custom firmware device like LineageOS, some of the instructions may differ.

1. Wi-Fi passwords: where are stored and how to extract without root

The most frequent user request is how to find out the saved password from Wi-Fi on Xiaomi. MIUI Stores this data in encrypted form, but it can be viewed without complex manipulations.

By default, Wi-Fi passwords are saved in a file. /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml, But it's closed without root, but there are workarounds:

• 🔍 Through router settings: Connect to the network, open the browser, and enter 192.168.1.1 (or other) IP Log in (logins/passwords are often listed on the device sticker) and search for the Wireless section. → Security.
• 📱 Utilities like WiFi Password Viewer (requires root) or Mi Router (for Xiaomi devices with router firmware) can show saved networks.
• 🖥️ Through ADB: If debugging is on USB, Follow the command: adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml Then decode the file using online tools (such as Wifi Password Decoder).

⚠️ Note: Removing passwords through ADB or root may violate Xiaomi's security policy. Do not transfer the received files to third parties - this is a risk of leaking all stored networks.

On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 14 or Redmi Note 13) The path to the file may be different: /data/vendor/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml. Check both locations.

2. Passwords from Google, Mi and social media accounts

Xiaomi is integrated with multiple ecosystems: Mi Account, Google, and third-party services, each of which stores passwords in its own way.

Mi Account (Xiaomi account) saves access tokens in the system storage /data/system/users/0/accounts.db. The password itself is not there, just encrypted data for automatic login, to reset it:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account.
2. Click Account Management → Security → Forgot the password.
3. Confirm your personal data (linked email or phone number).

Google passwords are stored in Google Smart Lock and synced to the cloud.

• 🌐 Passwords.google.com (authorization required).
• 📱 In the settings of the smartphone: Settings → Google → Managing a Google Account → Security → Password manager.

With social media (Facebook, VK, Instagram is more complex: Xiaomi does not store their passwords directly; instead, OAuth tokens are used, which allow applications to work without re-entering data, /data/data/com.facebook.katana/), But it's impossible to get them out without rooting.

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If you lose access to your Mi Account, try to restore it through account.xiaomi.com, which requires a linked email or phone number, as well as access to a backup email.

3. System files and databases with passwords

Deep in the system. MIUI/HyperOS They're hiding files that store encrypted authorization data, and they can be analyzed, but you need root or backup through the backup. TWRP.

To work with these files, you will need tools:

• 🛠️ SQLite Browser – for viewing databases (.db files).
• 🔐 MiXplorer (with root access enabled) – for navigating system folders.
• 💻 ADB — to extract files without root (but with unlocked bootloader).

⚠️ Note: Modifying files in /data/data/ or /system/ This can cause data loss or a cyclical restart of the device. Always back up through TWRP before experimentation.

On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T or Redmi K60) Part of the files moved to the section /data_mirror. This makes access difficult because it requires mounting through the ADB su.

4. Backups and cloud storage of passwords

Xiaomi offers two official ways to back up passwords: through the Mi Cloud and local backups. Both methods have limitations.

Mi Cloud saves:

• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords (if sync is enabled in Settings) → Accounts. → Mi Cloud → Synchronization).
• 📱 Application data (e.g. Notes, Browser) if it supports cloud storage.
• 🔄 System settings (including some network configurations).

To recover passwords from Mi Cloud:

1. Reset your smartphone to factory settings.
2. When you first turn on, select Restore from Mi Cloud.
3. Sign in to your Xiaomi account.
4. Select the last backup copy.

Local backups are created through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup. They save:

• 📡 Wi-Fi settings (but not always passwords!).
• 📱 Application data (if the developer has provided support).
• 📞 Call logs and SMS (willingly).

⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi local backups are not encrypted by default. If backup.ab falls into the wrong hands, an attacker can extract sensitive data from it. Store backups on encrypted media.

For advanced users: Backups can be unpacked using the MiBackupExtractor tool (available on GitHub).

java -jar MiBackupExtractor.jar unpack backup.ab output_folder


cd output_folder




sqlite3 apps.db "SELECT * FROM backups;"

5. How to protect saved passwords from leakage

Even if passwords are securely hidden in the system, they can be stolen through vulnerabilities or physical access to the device. Here are 5 ways to enhance security:

• 🔒 Turn off autocomplete in your browser and apps. Go to Settings → Additionally. → Language and input → Autocomplete and delete stored data.
• 🛡️ Use a password manager (such as Bitwarden or 1Password). They store data in an encrypted storage that is not accessible to the system.
• 🔐 Encrypt the device. Enable it in Settings. → Security → Encrypting the phone, it'll protect the data even if it's stolen.
• 🚫 Limit application rights. In Settings. → Annexes → Permissions to disable access to Contacts, SMS and Warehouse for suspicious programs.
• 🔄 Change your Wi-Fi and account passwords regularly. In Mi Account, you can do this in the Security section. → Password.

For root devices:

• 🛑 Block access to system folders with passwords via Magisk or SuperSU.
• 🔍 Install XPrivacyLua – a module for controlling application access to confidential data.

If you suspect that your passwords have been compromised (for example, after installing a questionable password). APK), immediately:

1. Change passwords from Mi Account, Google and banking apps.
2. Check your device for viruses using Malwarebytes or Dr.Web.
3. Revoke access to suspicious applications in Settings → Accounts. → Google → Security → Access management.

6. Recovery of passwords after reset or breakdown

If your Xiaomi smartphone has stopped turning on or you have performed a hard reset, the chances of returning saved passwords depend on preparation:

Scenario 1: There is a backup in the Mi Cloud

• ✅ Restore data when first enabled (see Section 4).
• ⚠️ Wi-Fi passwords will only be restored if you have enabled synchronization → Mi Cloud → Synchronization → Wi-Fi.

Scenario 2: There is a local backup

• ✅ Connect your smartphone to your PC and copy the backup.ab file from the folder MIUI/backup/AllBackup/.
• ✅ Use MiBackupExtractor to extract (see the commands in Section 4).

Script 3: No backups, but there are. root/TWRP

• ✅ Install. TWRP And create a section image. /data:
• ✅ Scan the image with Autopsy or FTK Imager to search for files with passwords.

Scenario 4: The device does not turn on (brick)

• ❌ Without prior preparation (unlocked bootloader or backups) it is impossible to restore passwords.
• 🔧 If the smartphone is defined as Qualcomm 9008, you can try flashing stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool, but this will delete all data.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi service centers do not restore passwords - they can only unlock a device with data loss.

7. Alternative methods: debugging and engineering menu

For power users, there are undocumented ways to access passwords that require technical skills and can violate warranty.

Method 1: Engineering menu (#4636##)

Enter the code on the dial keyboard. Phone information can be found in the menu:

• 📶 Connected network data (including MAC-access-point addresses).
• 🔗 Information on VPN and proxy (sometimes with logins).

However, Wi-Fi passwords are not displayed here – only technical data.

Method 2: Logs of the system (logcat)

If you've entered a password recently, it can be left in the logs to see:

1. Connect your smartphone to a PC with ADB.
2. Execute the command: adb logcat | grep -i "password\|passwd\|pwd"
3. Analyze the conclusion for the presence of open text.

Method 3: Reading a memory dump (RAM)

With the help of LiME (Linux Memory Extractor), you can create a memory dump and search for passwords in it:

adb push lime.ko /data/local/tmp/


adb shell "insmod /data/local/tmp/lime.ko path=/sdcard/mem.dump format=lime"

Then scan mem.dump with utilities like Volatility or Binwalk.

⚠️ Attention: Reading RAM The system logs can be considered an attempt to hack. on some devices (for example, Xiaomi). 12S Ultra activates anti-rollback, after which the firmware will become impossible.

FAQ: Frequent questions about passwords on Xiaomi

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The most reliable way to avoid losing passwords is to use a password manager (such as Bitwarden) and regularly back up your passwords to Mi Cloud or external storage.