Where in Xiaomi smartphones passwords are stored: system paths, backups and security risks

Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones store dozens of passwords, from Wi-Fi networks to social media accounts to banking applications. But where exactly is that data recorded? Can it be extracted without root rights? And what to do if the phone is stolen or broken? In this article, we will examine all the password storage locations in Xiaomi devices, including hidden system files, cloud backups and hardware security chips.

It's important to understand that the manufacturer doesn't disclose the complete architecture of sensitive data storage, but analysis of MIUI 12-14 firmware and experiments with engineering menus reveal key points. We won't discuss hacking or illegal extraction of other people's data - only legitimate ways to recover your passwords and protect against leaks. If you're looking for ways to bypass the locking of someone else's device, this article is not for you.

The material is relevant for all modern models: from the budget Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. Particular attention will be paid to the differences between devices with a Qualcomm chip (for example, POCO F5) and MediaTek (for example, Redmi 12C), as they have different encryption mechanisms.

1. MIUI system files: where passwords are stored locally

Most of the passwords in Xiaomi are stored in encrypted Android databases, which are restricted even to users with developer rights, but some of the data can be found in open (or conditionally open) files.

The most critical paths:

• 📁 /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml — Here, in encrypted form, are passwords from all stored Wi-Fi networks. The file is protected by system:wifi rights, so you can't read it without root, but its backups sometimes get into the Mi Cloud cloud.
• 🔑 /data/system/users/0/accounts.db — Account database (including Google, Mi Account and some third-party services) passwords are not stored here, but there are authentication tokens that can be used to restore access.
• 📱 /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db — It contains some security settings, including PIN-code SIM-Cards (if they are stored in the system).
• 🌐 /data/data/com.miui.securitycenter/databases/ — database folder of the Security Center MIUI, where password hashes from applications blocked through App Lock can be stored.

All of these files are encrypted using keys tied to a hardware device identifier (IMEI or serial number), and even if you copy them to another smartphone, you can't decrypt them without the original key, except for backups created through Mi Cloud or adb backup (which we'll discuss below).

⚠️ Note: Attempts to modify files into /data/ rootless or through ADB with incorrect commands can lead to complete data loss or system freeze. -rf /data/misc/wifi/* Remove all stored Wi-Fi networks without recovery.

2 Wi-Fi Passwords: How to Remove Them Without Root

Wi-Fi passwords are the most popular passwords to retrieve, especially if you need to connect a new gadget, and there are several legal ways to get them at MIUI:

1. Through QR-Code (the easiest method): Open Settings → Wi-Fi, tap on the desired network → Share the password. The system will generate QR-A code that can be scanned by another device, and the password will be displayed in text form under the code.
2. Through Mi Cloud (if synced): Go to i.mi.com, log in and go to Devices → [your smartphone] → Backups. Some firmware shows saved Wi-Fi networks with passwords.
3. Through ADB (requires PC and USB debugging): Connect your phone to your computer, enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times) and execute the command: adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml The file will be copied, but the passwords in it are encrypted.

On devices with MIUI 13+ and Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/2 chip (such as Xiaomi 13 Pro), Wi-Fi passwords are further protected by the Qualcomm Secure Processing Unit (SPU), which means that even with root rights, it is almost impossible to extract them in readable form without specialized equipment.

3. Account passwords: Mi Account, Google and social media

Passwords from Mi Account, Google and other services are stored in encrypted form in KeyStore, Android's hardware security module, and only system applications with the corresponding rights can access them.

• 🔐 Mi Account: The password is stored in the Xiaomi cloud and synchronized with the company's servers. When you reset your phone, it can be restored via email or a linked phone number. /data/data/com.xiaomi.account/, but encrypted.
• 📧 Google Account: Managed through Google Smart Lock. App and site passwords (if you saved them in Chrome) are stored in the Google Google Web browser. /data/data/com.google.android.gms/ and synced with your Google account.
• 👥 Social media (VK, Telegram, Facebook: Most apps store access tokens, not passwords themselves.For example, Telegram stores encryption keys in the /data/data/org.telegram.messenger/, Without them, it is impossible to restore access to the account on the new device.

If you forget your Mi Account password, you can only recover it through the official account.xiaomi.com website.There are no legal ways to extract it from your phone, even with root rights - this violates Xiaomi's security policy.

⚠️ Note: Fraudulent schemes with Mi Account hacking through engineering codes (e.g. #3646633##) are common on the Internet. These methods do not work on modern firmware and can lead to blocking. IMEI The only safe way to do this is to officially restore it via email or SMS.

4.Backups: How Passwords Get into Mi Cloud and Local Backups

Xiaomi offers two types of backups: through the Mi Cloud and local backups on the device, both of which can be saved, but with varying degrees of protection.

The most reliable way to save passwords is to use third-party managers (such as Bitwarden or 1Password) that sync independently of MIUI. Xiaomi local backups are useless for password recovery on another device, since they are tied to the hardware key.

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If you frequently reflash your phone or experiment with custom firmware, back up your phone with TWRP and save it to an external drive, the only way to guarantee password recovery after you reset or replace your motherboard.

5. Hardware Protection: How Security Chips Work in Xiaomi

Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with specialized security chips that protect passwords and other sensitive data:

• 🛡️ Qualcomm Secure Processing Unit (SPU) — Used in devices on Snapdragon 8xx (for example, Xiaomi 13T Stores cryptographic keys to encrypt partitions /data and fingerprint authentication.
• 🔒 MediaTek Secure Element – analogue for MediaTek processors (for example, in Redmi Note 12 Pro)+). Responsible for payment data protection (Google Pay, Mi Pay) and biometrics.
• 📱 Titan M2 (In some flagships, a separate microcontroller, similar to the one used in the Google Pixel, protects passwords and encryption keys from physical attacks.

These chips make it impossible to extract passwords by connecting to a phone via a phone. JTAG or ISP (Even if an attacker gains physical access to the device, he will not be able to read the encrypted data without the correct information. PIN-fingerprint.

The exception is outdated models (until 2018, for example, Redmi Note 4 or Mi 5), where encryption is implemented at the software level and can be bypassed by vulnerabilities in firmware.

6. Password Leakage Risks: What to Do If Your Phone Is Stolen or Hacked

If your Xiaomi has fallen into the wrong hands, passwords can be compromised in a number of ways:

1. Through Mi Cloud: If the phone was enabled to automatically log in to your Mi Account, an attacker can access backups, including Wi-Fi passwords and app tokens.
2. Some firmware (especially Chinese ones) have vulnerabilities that allow you to bypass the screen lock through service codes (for example, ##4636##).
3. Physical Access: If the phone was not encrypted, data can be extracted by connecting the internal memory to another device (the Chip-Off method).

What to do first:

1. Lock your device through Mi Cloud (Find Device section).
2. Change passwords from all critical services (email, banks, social networks).
3. Revoke access to Google Account via myaccount.google.com.
4. If the phone is connected to the corporate network, please notify IT-leakage-office.

⚠️ Note: If the phone was on aboutEM Unlock, an attacker can reflash the device and access unencrypted data. Always disable this option in Settings → For developers, unless you plan to install custom firmware.

7. Alternative ways to store passwords on Xiaomi

If you are not satisfied with standard MIUI mechanisms, consider alternatives:

• 🔐 Third-party password managers: Bitwarden, KeePassDX or 1Password They store data in an encrypted storage system that syncs between devices. MIUI and the ability to recover on any smartphone.
• 📄 Encrypted notes: Apps like Standard Notes or Cryptomator allow you to create secure texts with passwords, and you can store them in the cloud (like Google Drive) in encrypted form.
• 💾 Physical media: For especially important passwords (such as cryptocurrency wallets), use hardware keys like YubiKey or write them down on paper stored in a safe.

If you choose a third-party manager, pay attention to:

• Support for biometric authentication (fingerprint or Face ID).
• A security audit (e.g., checks for repeating passwords)
• Possibility of data export/import (in case of device change).

On Xiaomi devices with MIUI 14, some password managers (such as Bitwarden) may conflict with the Security Center by blocking autocomplete in apps. To fix this, add the manager to the list of Exceptions in the security settings.

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No single way to store passwords is 100% secure, and the best way to do that is to combine a password manager (for everyday use) with a physical medium (for the most critical data).

Frequently asked questions