Where Xiaomi Stores Passwords: A Complete Search and Security Guide

Have you ever forgotten your Wi-Fi password or an important app on your Xiaomi, but remembered that your phone “remembered” it? or worried that you’ll lose access to your stored data after resetting? In Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, passwords are stored in several secure places, from MIUI system files to Mi Account cloud storage. But it’s not easy to find them: the manufacturer uses encryption, access restrictions, and even hidden folders.

In this article, we will discuss in detail where passwords are stored on Xiaomi smartphones (including the 2023-2026 models on MIUI 14/15 and Android 13/14), how to extract them legally and what to do if access is lost. Also, we will find out which data is synchronized with Xiaomi servers and which remains only on the device is critical for security. Importantly, some methods require superuser rights (root), but we will specify alternatives without risk for warranty.

1. Wi-Fi passwords: where are stored and how to view

Wireless passwords are one of the most popular data, and on Xiaomi, they are stored in the system file /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml, but access to it is closed without root rights.

• 📱 Through settings MIUI: Go to Settings. → Wi-Fi, tap on the saved network and select “Share password” (required) PIN-code or print. MIUI 12+.
• 🖥️ With help. ADB: Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml (required to be debugged USB).
• ☁️ Cloud Sync: If Settings are enabled → Google → Backup → Wi-Fi passwords, data stored in Google account.

On Android 10+ devices, WifiConfigStore.xml is encrypted with a key attached to the device. Without root, you can't decrypt it -- it's a security measure against data theft when you lose your phone. If you need a password from someone else's Xiaomi, there's no legal way: the system blocks access even through TWRP.

⚠️ Note: When resetting settings (Settings) → The phone. → Reset settings) all local Wi-Fi passwords are deleted, if they are not synced with Mi Account or Google, they will not be able to be restored.

2. Passwords from applications and accounts: system storage

Xiaomi apps save passwords in two places:

1. Android Local Storage: The file /data/system/users/0/accounts.db contains authorization tokens for installed programs.
2. Keystore: Encrypted keys are stored in /data/misc/keystore. Used to auto-fill passwords in Mi Browser or Chrome.

To view passwords from apps (such as VKontakte or Instagram) without superuser rights:

• 🔑 Use the built-in password manager MIUI: Settings → Passwords and security → Password Manager: This displays stored data from browsers and some applications.
• 🌐 In Chrome or Mi Browser go to the address chrome://settings/passwords (It works if you sync with your Google account).

On devices with MIUI 14+ Added the function "Secure storage" (Settings) → Passwords and security → Secure storage: You can manually store sensitive data (e.g, PIN-Bank card codes, but they're encrypted with a key attached to the Mi Account, and if you lose access to your account, you can't restore them.

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If you often forget passwords, turn on the MIUI Emergency Information feature (Settings → About Phone → Emergency Information) and you can specify a backup email or phone to restore access.

3. Cloud Copies: What Syncs Mi Account

Xiaomi automatically reserves some of the data to the Mi Cloud, but not all of the passwords get there.

To check what data is being reserved:

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Slip on the item "Device backup".
3. Check the boxes in front of “System Settings” and “Apps”.

⚠️ Warning: If you sell or transfer a phone, be sure to turn off sync with Mi Account (Settings) → Mi Account → Otherwise, the new owner will be able to recover your passwords from the cloud if he knows the login/password from the account.

4. Root access: how to extract passwords from system files

With superuser rights (root) you can access all the password repositories. Instructions for Xiaomi on MIUI 14/15:

Get root rights (for example, through Magisk)

Install a file manager with support for root (Root Explorer, FX File Manager)

Create a backup of data (TWRP → Backup)

Disable the antivirus (it can block access to system files)-->

The main password files are:

• /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml – Wi-Fi passwords (encrypted on Android 10+).
• /data/system/users/0/accounts.db are application authorization tokens.
• /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db – some system passwords (e.g. for VPNs).
• /data/misc/keystore/user_0/* — auto-fill encryption keys.

Decrypting WifiConfigStore.xml on Android 10+ requires a key from /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml.keystore. It can only be extracted using specialized tools like WiFi Key Viewer (requires root).

Example of a command to extract a file through ADB root:

adb shell


su




cp /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml /sdcard/




exit




exit




adb pull /sdcard/WifiConfigStore.xml

5. Alternative methods: without root and risks

If root cannot be obtained (for example, on new Xiaomi 13/14 models with a locked bootloader), try these methods:

• 📲 Export via Mi Mover: Mi Mover App (Settings) → Additionally. → Mi Mover allows you to transfer some data (including some passwords) to another Xiaomi.
• 🔍 Search in backups: If you did backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup, passwords can be stored in the backup.ab file. It can be opened using Mi. PC Suite.
• 🌍 Sync with Google: Enable password backup in Google Account (Settings) → Google → Backup → Passwords.The data will then be available at passwords.google.com.

For devices on MIUI 13+ There is another trick: if you forget the password from Mi Account, but remember PIN-Phone code, you can reset cloud password through Settings → Mi Account → Forgot the password and confirm the action SMS It's not going to give you access to old passwords, but it's going to keep you from locking your device.

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On devices with a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi Note 11 Pro+), passwords are stored in a secure QSEE area.

6.Security: How to Protect Your Passwords on Xiaomi

Even if you don’t plan to retrieve passwords, you should take care of their protection:

• 🔒 Turn off autoconnection to open Wi-Fi: In Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Auto-connect to open networks, uncheck the box, this will prevent data leakage through insecure networks.
• 🛡️ Use hardware encryption: Include it in Settings → Passwords and security → Encrypting the phone. MIUI 14+ This is necessary to protect files with passwords.
• 🚫 Limit access to Mi Account: In Settings → Mi Account → Security Configure Two-Factor Authentication and Device Verification.
• 🔄 Update regularly MIUI: New versions are closing vulnerabilities that allow you to extract passwords without root. MIUI 15 heavily encrypted WifiConfigStore.xml.

If you suspect someone has accessed your passwords (for example, after losing your phone), immediately:

1. Change passwords from critical services (banks, social networks) from another device.
2. Remove the device from trusted in Mi Account (Mi Cloud → Devices).
3. Do remote locking via i.mi.com.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI for Russia (version) MIUI RU) Some of the cloud password sync functions may be disabled due to local regulations. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

7. Frequent problems and solutions

Xiaomi users often face the following difficulties:

If you have lost your saved passwords after the MIUI update, try:

1. Reset the device.
2. Check if your sync settings (Settings → Accounts) have reset.
3. Restore data from the backup (Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions