Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones automatically store dozens of passwords, from Wi-Fi networks to social media accounts and banking applications. But where exactly is that data stored in the system? Many users lose access to stored credentials after resetting or changing their device, unaware that most of them remain in the phone. In this article, we will examine all possible password storage locations in Redmi, POCO and Mi, including hidden system folders and cloud backups.
It's important to understand that MIUI doesn't provide a single password manager like Google Password Manager, but it does spread the data into different sections, some of which are root-free, others require additional manipulation, and we'll also explain how to export saved passwords to transfer to a new device and the risks of unauthorized extraction.
1. Wi-Fi passwords: where are stored and how to view
The most popular type of passwords is wireless keys, which can be extracted in two ways in MIUI: through the system menu (only for connected networks) or through a configuration file (requires root).
To see the password from your current Wi-Fi network, go to: Settings → Wi-Fi → [click on the network name] → Share the password.
The system will request confirmation by fingerprint or PIN-This method only works for the networks that the phone is currently connected to.
- 📱 No root: only passwords from current networks are visible (maximum) 1-2 stuff).
- 🔓 Root: Access to all ever-saved networks via file /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml.
- ⚠️ Limitation: c MIUI 14+ File encrypted – you will need to decrypt it via Magisk.
For owners of the POCO F5 and Redmi Note 12, there is a workaround: connect your phone to your ADB computer and follow the command:
adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml⚠️ Note: Retrieving Wi-Fi passwords through ADB require MIUI Optimization in the developer settings. Otherwise, the system will block access to the file.
2. Saved passwords in the Mi Browser and Chrome browser
Browsers on Xiaomi store logins and passwords separately from system settings. In Mi Browser (set by default), data is synced with Xiaomi account, and in Google Chrome – with Google account.
To find the passwords saved in Mi Browser:
- Open your browser and go to the menu (⋮) → Settings → Passwords.
- Sign in via fingerprint or PIN.
- Click on the desired site - the password will appear in the form of dots (click on the eye to view).
Google Chrome is a different way: menu (⋮) → Settings → Passwords. → Password management.
You can export all the data to CSV-file (option hidden under the ⋮ → Password exports).
| browser | The Password Path | Synchronization | Exports |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Browser | Menu → Settings → Passwords | Xiaomi account | No. |
| Google Chrome | Menu → Settings → Passwords | Google account | Yes (CSV) |
| Firefox | Menus. → Logins and passwords | Firefox account | Yes (JSON) |
⚠️ Note: Mi Browser passwords cannot be exported without root rights. The only way to transfer is to sync through Xiaomi account to a new device.
3. Application passwords: where to look and how to recover
Many apps (e.g., VKontakte, Telegram, banking services) store access tokens in a secure Android Keystore, which is closed without root, but there are workarounds:
- 🔄 Password reset: Most applications allow you to restore access through SMS email.
- 📱 Backup: if reservation is enabled in Settings → Xiaomi account → Cloud. → Backup, application passwords can be restored after reset.
- 🔓 Root access: Root Explorer can be used to find files /data/data/[package_name]/shared_prefs (For example, for Telegram it is org.telegram.messenger).
For banking applications (such as SberBank Online or Tinkoff), passwords are not stored in plain form. Instead, biometric authentication (fingerprint/face) is used, or PIN-If you drop your phone, you'll have to restore access through bank support.
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If you forgot your password from the app, but you log in with your fingerprint, try removing and re-addling the fingerprint to Settings → Lock screen → Fingerprint. Sometimes this resets the biometrics binding to your account.
4. System passwords: pattern lock, PIN and template
Screen lock passwords (PIN, pattern lock, password) are stored encrypted in /data/system/gesture.key (for a pattern lock) or password.key (for a PIN/password). Without root rights, they cannot be extracted, but there are legal ways to reset:
- Xiaomi account: if the phone is linked to the account, then 5 Failed attempts will be given the option “Forgot the password?» → recovery email/SMS.
- Fastboot: For models with unlocked bootloader, you can execute the command: fastboot erase userdata Warning: this will completely reset all data!
On devices with MIUI 13+ added protection against reset via Fastboot – will require authorization in the account Xiaomi even after the reset. This applies to models Xiaomi 12/13, Redmi K50 and later.
What to do if you forget your Xiaomi account password?
5. MIUI backups: how to extract passwords from the backup
MIUI allows you to create local and cloud backups that include some passwords (Wi-Fi, application settings) to extract them:
- Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Cloud → Backup.
- Select the last copy and click “Restore”.
- For manual data extraction, connect your phone to your PC and find the backup file in /MIUI/backup/AllBackup.
Cloud copies are encrypted, but local ones can be unpacked using the MiBackupExtractor tool (Java required).
- Wifi – passwords from networks;
- Apps – application settings (sometimes contain tokens);
- account – Xiaomi account details (do not include password!)
⚠️ Attention: In backup copies MIUI 14 application passwords are not saved - only system settings and Wi-Fi. For a full backup, use third-party utilities like Swift Backup (requires root).
6. Hidden menu of engineering mode: where service passwords are stored
Xiaomi has hidden hardware testing menus, where you can sometimes display service codes and passwords to get there:
- 📞 Dial in the phone app: ##4636## - network and battery information;
- 🔧 ##36446337## - Equipment test (may contain data on communication modules);
- 📡 ##232338## — MAC-Wi-Fi address (sometimes the default password for some routers is displayed).
These menus do not contain user passwords, but can help in restoring access to network hardware (for example, if you forgot the password from the router that the phone previously connected to).
Dial ##4636##|Check the section "Battery information"|Dial ##36446337##|View data about the Wi-Fi module|Do not change the settings without the need-->
7.Security: How to Protect Passwords in Xiaomi Phone
Removing passwords from your phone is a potential security risk, to minimize the risks:
- 🔒 Turn off the debugging. USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (7 Clicks According to Version → Developer settings → Debugging by USB).
- 🛡️ Use encryption: in Settings → Additionally. → Encryption and credentials enable phone encryption.
- 🚫 Do not keep passwords in notes or SMS — MIUI scans this data for proposals.
- 🔄 Update regularly MIUI — New versions eliminate password access vulnerabilities.
For additional protection, install a password manager (such as Bitwarden or KeePassDX) and turn off autocomplete in the system settings: Settings → Additional → Language and Entering → Autocomplete → Disable.
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Even with root rights, not all passwords can be extracted in plain sight. Banking applications and instant messengers use hardware encryption that cannot be avoided without physically hacking the chip.