Lost access to the saved password from Wi-Fi, Mi Account or the app on Xiaomi smartphone? Don't rush to reset the device to factory settings. There are hidden ways to retrieve stored data in the MIUI operating system, both with and without superuser rights. In this article, we will discuss legal and technical methods, including nuances for different versions of the firmware.
It is important to understand that Xiaomi does not provide direct access to passwords for security purposes. However, system files, backups and developer tools allow you to bypass this limitation. We will consider options for Redmi, POCO and Mi-series, and also warn about the risks associated with using third-party utilities. If you are looking for a password from Mi Account – this case requires a separate approach (see section below).
1. Wi-Fi passwords: how to watch without root
The most popular scenario is to extract a password from a current or previously connected Wi-Fi network, which can be done through the system menu in MIUI 12-14, but with reservations:
- 📶 Current Network: Password is displayed as QR-code (scan it with another device). Path: Settings → Wi-Fi → Current network → Share your password.
- 🔍 Previous Networks: No root access, but backup is possible (see Section 3).
- ⚙️ MIUI 11 and older: In some versions, the password was displayed in text form in Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Passwords of saved networks (now removed).
If QR-The code is not readable, try an alternative method:
- Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB-Debugging (included in Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the additional → For developers).
- Install Android Studio and open Device File Explorer.
- Go to /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml, where SSIDs and passwords are stored encrypted. You need root or specialized scripts to decrypt (see Section 4).
⚠️ Attention: File WifiConfigStore.xml It's only available on an unlocked bootloader, and trying to read it without a license will cause a Permission denied error.
2. Passwords from apps and websites
Xiaomi smartphones store data for autocomplete in Google Smart Lock or Mi Browser.
- 🔑 Google Smart Lock: Go to passwords.google.com (requires login to the same account as your phone) and display passwords from sites saved via Chrome or built-in browser.
- 🌐 Mi Browser: There is no password export function in the browser itself, but you can use it ADB: adb pull /data/data/com.mi.globalbrowser/app_webview/Local In the Local State file, look for the line "encrypted_password" (it'll take a decryption).
- 📱 Third-party managers: If used 1Password, KeePass or Bitwarden, passwords are stored in their cloud storage.
For applications (e.g., VKontakte, Instagram), passwords are not stored in the system, only access tokens. their extraction requires root and file analysis /data/data/com.vkontakte.android/ or /data/data/com.instagram.android/.
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If you forgot your Mi Account password but linked your email, try to restore access via the official page.
3. Backups: Where passwords are stored
MIUI creates on-premises and cloud backups that can contain encrypted passwords, and let's look at both.
| Type of backup | Where to find | Do you need root rights? | What does it contain? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local (MIUI Backup) | /MIUI/backup/AllBackup/ | No. | Wi-Fi, system settings (app passwords – no) |
| The Mi Cloud Cloud | i.mi.com | No. | Contacts, notes, SMS (passwords – only if the reservation “Other data” is enabled) |
| TWRP-backup | /TWRP/BACKUPS/ | Yes. | Full copy of /data (all passwords) |
To extract passwords from local backup:
- Connect your phone to your PC and copy the folder /MIUI/backup/AllBackup/.
- Unblock a file with the.bak extension (for example, 20231015_123456.bak).
- Inside, look for com.android.providers.settings – there may be Wi-Fi data encrypted.
⚠️ Warning: Mi Cloud cloud backups are encrypted with a key tied to the device, and you can't decrypt them without physical access to the phone.
Turn on USB-debugging|Make a backup copy of the data|Install ADB PC-only|Check the version. MIUI (Settings → The phone)-->
4. Methods with root access
If your Xiaomi has unlocked the bootloader and installed Magisk or SuperSU, powerful password extraction tools are available:
- 🔧 Root Explorer: Open the file /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml And find the tags. <string name="PreSharedKey"> — Here are stored passwords in plain form.
- 📱 Passwords Viewer (requires root): Shows saved passwords from Wi-Fi, apps, and even VPN.
- 💻 ADB Root: Follow the command: adb shell su -c "cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml" Use the wifi-password-viewer script to decrypt.
On devices with MIUI 13+ and Android 12+, Wi-Fi files are encrypted with the KEK (Key Encryption Key) key stored in TrustZone, which requires an exploit-enabled kernel, such as DirtyPipe, to extract.
What is TrustZone?
5. Password from Mi Account: features of recovery
The password for Xiaomi’s Mi Account cannot be viewed directly, even from root.
- 📧 Email recovery: Go to the recovery page and follow the instructions. If the email is not confirmed, you will need access to the linked phone number.
- 📱 Fastboot reset: If the device is locked, you can reset Mi Account via fastboot mode using the Mi Flash Unlock utility!
- 🔄 Passage EDL: On some models (such as the Redmi Note 8 Pro), you can flash a modified persist partition to reset your account binding, a risky method that requires soldering equipment to put into mode. EDL.
If you bought the phone with your hands and it is tied to someone else’s Mi Account, contact the seller to unblock. Xiaomi blocks devices with suspicious activity (for example, after frequent changes). SIM-map).
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Resetting your Mi Account via fastboot or EDL will void the warranty and may result in IMEI blocking.
Risks and precautions
Searching for passwords on Xiaomi is fraught with dangers:
- 🛡️ Data Leakage: Using third-party utilities (such as WiFi Password Viewer from unverified sources) could lead to theft of personal information.
- 🔓 Account Lock: Frequent attempts to enter Mi Account password cause temporary lock (up to 24 hours).
- 📉 Loss of warranty: Unlocking the bootloader and getting root void the official Xiaomi warranty.
Safety recommendations:
- Before experimenting, create a full backup through TWRP or Mi Cloud.
- Do not use ADB on public PCs (login/password may be saved in team history).
- To store passwords, use specialized managers: Bitwarden, KeePassDX or built-in Google Password Manager.
7. Alternative methods (without technical skills)
If the methods described seem complicated, try:
- 📡 Router: The Wi-Fi password can be viewed in the router's web interface (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.
- 📎 Sync with Google: If sync is enabled on your phone, passwords from sites can be found at passwords.google.com.
- 📱 Other Device: Connect the same device (like a laptop) to the desired Wi-Fi network and view the password through its settings.
For corporate or training networks (e.g., eduroam), passwords are usually issued by an administrator and are not stored on the device in a readable form.
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If you often forget passwords, set up automatic backup in Mi Cloud (Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup).