Where browser passwords are stored on Xiaomi: access paths and security

Xiaomi smartphones are some of the most popular devices on the market, but their MIUI firmware has the peculiarities of storing sensitive data. If you forgot your password from the site or want to transfer logins to a new device, it is important to know exactly where the Mi Browser, Chrome or Firefox browsers store this information on Redmi, POCO and other brands. Unlike desktop versions, mobile browsers often hide this data deep in the system folders or sync it with the cloud.

In this article, we will not only show you the physical ways to store passwords in the Xiaomi file system, but also explain how to securely extract them without the risk of data leakage. We will focus on the differences between the Mi Browser stock browser (linked to a Mi Account) and third-party apps like Google Chrome, which use their own encryption mechanisms. ADB) They may not work on new versions. MIUI 14/15 due to tightening security policies.

1.Where passwords are stored in the Mi Browser stock browser

The Mi Browser is integrated by default into MIUI firmware and is closely connected to the Xiaomi ecosystem. All saved passwords are linked to the Mi Account and encrypted using the device keys. Physically, the data files are located in a secure area of the system, which is not accessible without the superuser rights (root).

Main storage routes:

• 📁 /data/data/com.android.browser/databases/ — webview.db database (obsolete method, relevant for the MIUI 10-12)
• 🔒 /data/data/com.miui.browser/databases/ — modern storage MIUI 13+ (browser file.db)
• ☁️ Synchronization with Mi Cloud – passwords are duplicated in encrypted form on Xiaomi servers (available when logged in)

Important: even with root access, simply copying a database file is not enough – the data is encrypted with a unique device identifier (IMEI/MEID), and decrypting will require additional tools like Mi Browser Password Decryptor.

⚠️ Note: Attempts to extract passwords through ADB file managers on MIUI 14/15 locked in MIUI Protection: If multiple attempts fail, access to data can be blocked completely.

2. Passwords in Google Chrome on Xiaomi: storage features

Google Chrome on Xiaomi devices behaves differently than a stock browser, where passwords are stored in an encrypted Android Keystore database and synced with a Google account.

• 📂 /data/data/com.android.chrome/app_chrome/Default/Login Data - Basic Base (requires root)
• 🔐 /data/data/com.google.android.gms/databases/ — synchronization files

Differences from Mi Browser:

To view passwords in Chrome without root:

1. Open the browser and go to ⋮ → Settings → Passwords.
2. Sign in to your Google account if required.
3. Click on the desired site and select Show Password (entry required). PIN-device-code).

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If passwords don’t show up in Chrome settings, check if sync is enabled in your Google account: Settings → Google → Managing your Google account → Sync.

3. How to extract passwords without root: official and informal methods

If you don't have superuser rights, there are a few legal ways to access your passwords, and let's look at them by their security level.

Export via Mi Cloud (Mi Browser only)

The most reliable method for stock browser:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select the Browser section → Saved passwords.
3. Copy the data manually or export to CSV (if the feature is available).

3.2. Synchronization with Google (for the Chrome/Firefox)

For Chrome:

• 🌐 Go to passwords.google.com.
• 🔍 Use search or filters to navigate through stored data.
• 📤 Export passwords to CSV (opportunism ⋮ → Password exports).

For Firefox:

• 🦊 Open about:logins in the address bar.
• 🔑 Press. ⋮ → Export logins (master password required).

⚠️ Note: Export of passwords in plain form (CSV) You can also risk leakage. After you use it, delete the file from your device and from the cloud. Never send it to your email or messenger!

Informal methods (for advanced users)

If the official methods are not suitable, you can try:

• 🛠️ ADB-commands (only for the unlocked bootloader):
• 🔓 Use of vulnerabilities (e.g., vulnerability, CVE-2023-21036 For older versions of Chrome).

4.Where passwords are physically stored in the Xiaomi file system

For users with root access or custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience), the following ways are available:

Critical information: On devices with MIUI 14+, even root access does not guarantee that these files will be read due to hardware encryption (eFUSE).

Data extraction will require:

• 📱 Unlocked bootloader (officially via Mi Unlock Tool).
• 🔧 Magisk or SuperSU for Rights Management.
• 🔑 SQLite Editor or DB Browser for working with databases.

5.Security: How to Protect Passwords from Leakage

Storing passwords in the browser is convenient, but fraught with risks. Xiaomi devices have several layers of protection:

• 🔐 Hardware encryption: All modern Xiaomi smartphones (starting with Snapdragon) 6xx/7xx MediaTek Helio G and File-Based Encryption (FBE), where each file is encrypted with a separate key.
• 🛡️ MIUI Protection: The system blocks access to critical data when suspicious activity is detected (e.g., repeated read attempts). /data/data/).
• ☁️ Two-factor authentication in Mi Cloud: Even if a password leaks from an account, an attacker will not be able to export data without confirmation. SMS/email.

Recommendations for enhancing security:

1. Turn off autocomplete passwords in your browser settings (Settings → Passwords → Autocomplete).
2. Use password managers like Bitwarden or KeePassDX (they store data in a separate encrypted container).
3. Check your active sessions in Mi Account and Google Account regularly for suspicious devices.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global and MIUI China has different security policies, with the Chinese version of firmware having more restricted access to system folders, and some methods of extracting passwords (e.g., via a computer or a computer). ADB backup) locked at the kernel level.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Xiaomi users often face the following difficulties when working with saved passwords:

6.1 Passwords are not displayed in Mi Cloud

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔄 Sync is disabled: Check the settings → Accounts. → Mi Account → Synchronization.
• 📱 Device not tied to account: Reconnect Mi Account in settings.
• 🕒 Synchronization delay: Wait 10-15 minutes or restart the phone.

Error "Cannot be decrypted" on export

It's because of:

• 🔑 Resetting encryption keys after resetting the phone to factory settings.
• 📲 Changes in changes IMEI (For example, after the repair of the motherboard).
• 🔄 Updates MIUI, resetting.

Solution: Restore data from the Mi Cloud backup or contact Xiaomi with proof of ownership.

6.3 Chrome does not save passwords on Xiaomi

Check it out.

• 🔧 Chrome settings: Settings → Passwords. → Saving passwords (should be enabled).
• 🚫 Limitations MIUI: Some firmware versions block Chrome background activity. Add browser to Settings → Battery → No restrictions.
• 🛠️ Mi Browser conflict: Delete or freeze the stock browser through ADB: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.browser

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If passwords stopped being saved after the MIUI update, try clearing your browser cache (Settings → Apps → Chrome → Storage → Clear cache) and restarting your device.

FAQ: Frequent questions about passwords in Xiaomi browsers