Where in Xiaomi smartphones are stored passwords from applications: system paths and risks of extraction

Have you ever wondered where the saved passwords went? VK, Instagram or a banking app after resetting your phone? or tried to restore access to your account, but Xiaomi's password manager stubbornly didn't want to give out data? MIUI Application passwords are stored in encrypted system files – and getting to them is not as easy as it seems.

In this article, we will break down: 1. Where are the passwords physically stored in Xiaomi memory (including the Redmi Note 12 models, POCO X5, Mi 11 et al.) 2. Why even with root rights, you can't always extract them. 3. What tools do you use? MIUI 4. Legal ways to restore access without risking locking your phone or losing data.

Spoiler: If you were hoping to find a universal folder like /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases, And you're going to be disappointed, because Xiaomi has long since switched to hardware encryption. TEE (Trusted Execution Environment, and pulling out a password without knowing the cryptographic keys is almost impossible.

1. Where passwords are stored in Xiaomi: system paths and files

V MIUI Application passwords are distributed across multiple storage layers, depending on the type of data and firmware version:

📁 System password manager: /data/system/users/0/accounts.db — This is where you store authorization tokens for some system services (e.g. Mi Account), but not passwords from third-party applications!
🔐 Keystore Android: /data/misc/keystore — Encrypted containers with keys that are used to decrypt passwords, without root and master password knowledge, access is closed.
📱 Google Apps: If you use Google Smart Lock, passwords can be synced to /data/data/com.google.android.gms/databases (but only in encrypted form).
🛡️ TEE (Trusted Execution Environment: a hardware security module that stores cryptographic keys, physically unavailable even with root rights.

It is important to understand that Xiaomi does not store passwords in plain form.

🔄 Hashing (e.g., hashing, SHA-256 or bcrypt - for local passwords.
🔑 Encryption based on keys tied to a hardware device identifier (Android) ID, IMEI).
☁️ Cloud sync via Mi Cloud (if password sync is enabled in account settings).

Critical detail: starting with MIUI 12, passwords from banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff, etc.) are stored in an isolated container with additional protection from screenshots and memory dumps, which means that even if you access files, you can not decrypt them without the original device and its unique keys.

📊 How do you usually save passwords?

Using the password manager (1Password, KeePass, et al.)

Trust the built-in storage. MIUI

Write it down in a notebook/notes

I only keep it in my head.

2.Can you manually extract passwords from Xiaomi?

Technically, yes, but with reservations.

Root rights (unlocked bootloader) + Magisk or SuperSU).
Tools for dumping: ADB, TWRP or specialized utilities like MiXplorer with access to system folders.
Knowledge of file structure: for example, to extract passwords from Mi Browser, you need to search the webview.db database in the /data/data/com.android.browser/databases.
Ability to work with encryption: most files are encrypted using SQLCipher or AES-256.

However, there are three critical issues:

⚠️ Note: Trying to extract passwords from /data/misc/keystore Without the correct keys, the data will be automatically erased (protection) MIUI This applies to all models starting with the Redmi Note. 10 newer.

🚫 Hardware binding: encryption keys are tied to TEE Hardware-backed Keystore, without the original device, decryption is impossible.
🔄 Dynamic keys: Each time you turn on your phone, new temporary keys are generated that are not stored on the disk.
☠️ The risk of blocking: incorrect treatment of the /data/secure Factory Reset Protection mechanism (FRP), lock-up.

Is there any point in trying, then? Only if you're here.

🔧 Developer testing the security of their application.
🛠️ Owner of a device with an already unlocked bootloader and ready to risk data loss.
🔍 Researching your own phone (extracting someone else's passwords is criminally punishable!).

💡

If you need a password from a particular application (such as WhatsApp or Telegram), it is easier to use the service itself. Most platforms allow you to reset your password via email or other means. SMS, phone-free.

3. MIUI Protecting passwords: technical details

V MIUI 13/14 A multi-level password protection system is used, which includes:

Level of protection	Technology	Where applicable	Can I get around?
Hardware encryption	TEE (Trusted Execution Environment)	Banking applications, Mi Pay, biometric data	❌ No (physical access to the chip is required)
Encryption of the file system	FBE (File-Based Encryption)	All user data in /data	⚠️ Partially (needs a key tied to the device)
Dynamic keys	KeyMaster + Android Keystore	Application passwords, authorization tokens	❌ No (keys are not saved on disk)
Cloud backups	Mi Cloud with AES-256	Synchronized passwords (if enabled)	⚠️ Can be restored if you have access to your account

The key test is particularly useful in the Key Attestation mechanism. MIUI 14.At each request for decryption of data, the system checks:

🔐 Integrity of the bootloader (bootloader).
📱 Status. TEE (Any sign of a break-in).
🔄 Last restart time (Cold boot attacks protection).

If one of the parameters doesn't match, passwords are blocked, and logs are recorded as potential attacks. TWRP It does not always help in data extraction.

What is it? TEE And why can't it be hacked?

Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) — It's an isolated runtime environment inside the processor that runs parallel to the main OS, and it has its own processor, memory, and encryption that is not available for Android. Even if an attacker gains root access, they won't be able to read the data from the main OS. TEE without physical interference with the hardware (e.g., through JTAG Or chip-off analysis. In Xiaomi smartphones TEE used to store biometric data, encryption keys and passwords from banking applications.

4.Legitimate ways to restore passwords

If you forget your password, don't rush to dig through the system files. Here are safe and legal recovery methods:

Try to restore access through the official website of the service (button "Forgot your password?").

Check password synchronization in Mi Cloud (Settings) → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization)

Use backup (if you have previously done a backup through Settings) → Additionally. → Backup)

Contact the application support (for example, in a bank or social network) with proof of identity-->

For MIUI Built-in tools are also available:

🔑 Password manager MIUI: Go to Settings. → Passwords and security → Password Manager: This is where you store stored logins/passwords for websites and certain applications (if you have explicitly agreed to keep them safe).
☁️ Cloud Recovery: If sync with Mi Cloud is enabled, passwords can be restored to the new device after authorization.
📱 Local backup: created in /MIUI/backup/AllBackup (But passwords are encrypted with the master key of the device).

If you are using Google Smart Lock, check:

Open Settings → Google → Manage your Google account.
Go to the Security section → Password manager.
Find the service you need in the list of saved passwords.

If the password is not displayed, it may not have been saved through Google, but through the built-in manager. MIUI. In this case, try it:

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.password.SettingsPasswordManagerActivity

This command will open a hidden password management menu (works on most devices with a password management system). MIUI 12+).

5. Risks of self-extracting passwords

Before you try to get passwords from system files, evaluate the possible consequences:

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 13/14 in case of unauthorized access to /data/secure or /data/misc/keystore This is an automatic encryption mechanism, which means that all user files will be encrypted with a random key, and the original key will be erased.

🚨 Mi Account lock: If a device is suspected of being hacked, it can be linked to Mi Account with a requirement for proof of identity (even if the phone was not previously tied!).
🔒 Activation. FRP: on Android 10 phones+ Incorrect access to system partitions can enable Factory Reset Protection by locking the phone after resetting.
📵 Loss of warranty: Unlocking the bootloader and getting root will void Xiaomi’s warranty (even if you return it all back).
⚖️ Legal consequences: extraction of passwords from someone else’s device is qualified as unauthorized access to computer information (Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).

If you still need to access passwords (for example, to recover data after the death of the phone owner), contact Xiaomi official support with documents proving ownership. In some cases, the company can help with unlocking the device without losing data.

💡

No legal method guarantees 100% password recovery. If data is critical (e.g., access to a cryptocurrency wallet), the only reliable method is to back up the keys in advance to a secure storage facility (e.g., KeePass or a digital wallet). 1Password).

6.Alternatives: How to Safely Store Passwords on Xiaomi

Instead of relying on built-in mechanisms MIUI, Consider more secure ways to store passwords:

🔐 Third-party password managers: Bitwarden (open code, sync through the cloud). KeePassDX (local storage, encryption) AES-256). 1Password (user-friendly interface, integration with browsers).
☁️ Cloud services with two-factor authentication: Google Password Manager (if you trust Google) LastPass (with support for biometric authentication).
📱 Hardware tokens: YubiKey (physical key for two-factor authentication) Titan Security Key from Google.

Advantages of third-party solutions:

🔄 Cross-platform: Accessing passwords from any device.
🔒 Device-free: Even if the phone breaks, passwords will remain secure.
🛡️ Additional layers of protection: two-factor authentication, leak checking, complex password generators.

If you prefer the built-in tools MIUI, turn on:

Settings → Passwords and security → Password manager → Synchronization with Mi Cloud.
Settings → Google → Managing a Google Account → Security → Password Manager (for sync with Google).
Backup in Settings → Additionally. → Backup and Reset (select Local Backup and enable Password option).

7. Frequent Password Mistakes on Xiaomi

Many users lose access to passwords because of errors.

🔄 Reset your phone without backup: Even if you remember the Mi Account password, your local app passwords will be lost.
🔑 Disable device encryption: C Settings → Security → Encryption will remove all stored keys.
☁️ Ignore synchronization with Mi Cloud: without it, it will be impossible to restore passwords after resetting.
📱 Install unofficial firmware without backup: many custom ROM supportive TEE, This leads to the loss of protected data.
🔧 Trying to edit system files manually (e.g., via Root Explorer): This almost always ends in corrupting the password base.

A typical data loss scenario:

The user decides to flash the phone through Fastboot.
Does not make a backup (or does, but without the password option enabled).
After the firmware detects that access to the banking application or social networks is lost.
Trying to recover passwords through system files, but encounters encryption.

How do you avoid? Always before any manipulation of the system:

Create a backup in Mi Cloud (Settings) → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backup)

Export passwords from the password manager MIUI (if there is such an option)

Save two-factor codes (e.g. screenshots) QR-Codes for Google Authenticator)

Check that sync with Google Password Manager is enabled-->

If you have lost your passwords, try:

🔍 Restoring access through official channels (e.g., support) VK or Sberbank).
📧 Check email for letters with backup codes or reset instructions.
🔑 Use the Forgot Password function in the application itself.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I see the passwords from the apps in MIUI rootless?

No, built-in password manager. MIUI It only shows logins and offers autocomplete, but does not display the passwords themselves in plain form. Except for passwords for sites saved through Mi Browser (you can see them in Settings). → Passwords and security → Password Manager: For third-party applications (such as Instagram or Tinkoff), passwords are stored in encrypted form and are not available without special tools.

Where are the Wi-Fi passwords stored on Xiaomi?

Passwords from Wi-Fi networks are stored in a file /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml, But it's encrypted. To see them: Get root access. Copy the file to your computer. Use the WiFi Password Viewer utility. Or, more simply, connect to that network on another device and see the password in its settings.

How to transfer passwords from one Xiaomi to another?

There are two ways: via Mi Cloud: On an old phone: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization → Passwords (enable option) On a new phone: log in to the same Mi Account and wait for sync. Local backup: On an old phone: Settings → Additionally. → Backup → Local backup (select passwords). Copy the backup file (.mbk) to a new phone and restore it. Both methods require both devices to have the same version. MIUI (near).

Why did all the passwords that were saved disappear after the phone was reset?

It has to do with how MIUI When reset, the master key used to encrypt passwords is erased, and if you don't sync with Mi Cloud or Google, you can't recover passwords. Local backups (if they were) are also protected by the device key that is being reset.The only way to avoid this is to enable cloud sync beforehand.

Can I crack the password from the app if I have physical access to the phone?

Theoretically, yes, but in practice, it's extremely difficult. Here's why: Hardware encryption: keys are stored in a computer. TEE, Dynamic protection: when suspicious activity (e.g. multiple attempts to access the root) /data) Legal risks: in Russia and many other countries, this is classified as hacking. If your phone is yours but you forgot the password from the application, it is easier to use the recovery function in the service itself (for example, reset your password via email).