Where in Xiaomi smartphones stored passwords from sites: all the ways to find and protect data

Smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO Automatically save passwords from sites, apps and Wi-Fi networks - but where exactly are they stored? users often face this problem when changing devices, resetting settings or suspecting a data breach. Unlike the iPhone or Google Pixel, where passwords are synced via iCloud or Google Password Manager, in the Xiaomi ecosystem, the storage mechanism is more fragmented: some data lies in system files, some in the Mi Account cloud, and some depends on the browser used.

In this article, we will take a closer look at all possible password storage locations on Xiaomi devices, including hidden folders, browser databases and cloud services, how to extract saved passwords (including those without root rights), what risks this entails, and how to protect data from theft. We will pay special attention to vulnerabilities MIUI, which allow attackers to access passwords through physical access to a device or leaking backups.

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1. System password storage in MIUI: look

On Xiaomi smartphones, passwords from sites and applications are stored in several system places, depending on the version. MIUI and services used. Main sources:

1. Mi Account (Xiaomi cloud)

Synchronized passwords (if enabled) are stored encrypted on Xiaomi servers and can be accessed through Settings. → Xiaomi account → Data management → Passwords. However, this only works for passwords saved through the standard Mi Browser browser or autocomplete system dialogs.

2.Local database Android Keystore

Passwords entered in apps or on websites via Google Smart Lock are stored in a secure storage facility. /data/system/keystore. You can’t extract them without root rights, but they automatically sync to your Google account if the feature is enabled.

3. folder /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases

Here is a settings.db file containing some system credentials (such as Wi-Fi passwords) that requires root access or use. ADB superuser.

⚠️ Warning: Attempting to extract passwords from system folders without root rights can trigger protection MIUI and locking the device, starting with MIUI 14, The system actively prevents the reading of files in /data through ADB loader-free.

• 🔐 Mi Account: Passwords are synced only if the option is enabled in your account settings.
• 📱 Local Storage: Passwords from Wi-Fi and some applications are stored in settings.db.
• 🌐 Browsers: Mi Browser, Chrome and Firefox store passwords separately (see next section).
• 🔑 Google Smart Lock: Only works when autocompleted through Google services.

2. Passwords in browsers: Mi Browser, Chrome, Firefox

Each browser on Xiaomi stores passwords in its secure storage. Let's look at the main options:

Mi Browser (standard Xiaomi browser)

Passwords are stored in a database /data/data/com.mi.globalbrowser/databases/browser.db (or webview.db in older versions:

1. Get root access or use it. ADB backup MIUI 12 and below).
2. Copy the browser.db file on your PC.
3. Open it with SQLite Browser or DB Browser for SQLite.
4. Passwords are in the logins table (encrypted if encryption is enabled).

Google Chrome

Chrome syncs passwords to your Google account, but the local copy is stored in:

/data/data/com.android.chrome/app_chrome/Default/Login Data

For extraction:

1. Copy the Login Data file (root required).
2. Use ChromePass (from NirSoft) to decrypt.

Mozilla Firefox

Passwords are stored in /data/data/org.mozilla.firefox/files/mozilla/*.default/logins.json (It's encrypted with a master password, if it's installed:

1. File. key4.db (encryption).
2. Firefox Password Decryptor.

⚠️ Attention: Starting with MIUI 13, access to browser folders through ADB Use adb backup com.mi.globalbrowser, but note that passwords may not get into the backup due to Android 10 limitations+.

Get root access or ADB superuser

Copy browser.db file to a secure location

Use SQLite Browser to view logins table

If necessary, decrypt passwords using Mi Password Decryptor-->

3. How to export passwords without root rights

If you don’t have root access, you can extract passwords in several alternative ways, but with limitations.

Method 1: Synchronize with Mi Account

1. Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Data management → Passwords.
2. Enable password synchronization (if disabled).
3. Sign in to another device with the same Mi Account – passwords will be automatically pulled.

Limitation:

Mi Browser

Method 2: Exporting through Google Smart Lock

1. Make sure that in the settings → Google → Managing a Google Account → Security → Passwords enabled synchronization.
2. Go to passwords.google.com and you will find all the passwords saved through Google Smart Lock.

Method 3: Backup through Mi Cloud

1. Create a backup copy in Settings → The phone. → Backup and reset → Local backup.
2. Download the backup file to your PC and use the Mi Backup Extractor utility to extract data.

⚠️ Attention: In backup copies MIUI Passwords are stored in encrypted form, and decryption requires a key that is generated from the Mi Account data. Without it, you can't extract passwords.

Method 4: Use ADB (tech-savvy)

If you have debugging enabled USB, I can try out the team:

adb backup -f backup.ab -apk -obb -shared -all -system

However, with Android 9+ and MIUI 12+ This method is often blocked by the system.

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If you need to transfer passwords to a new Xiaomi device, the easiest way to use sync is through Mi Account or Google Smart Lock.This ensures data safety and avoids the risk of damaging system files.

4. Password Leakage Risks: How to Protect Data

Storing passwords on a Xiaomi device involves several vulnerabilities, especially if:

• 📱 Device lost or stolen.
• 🔓 Debugging is on. USB (It gives you access to data through ADB).
• 🖥️ Unofficial firmware or modified Recovery installed.
• ☁️ Backups are stored in an unprotected cloud.

Major threats:

1. Physical access: An attacker can extract passwords through ADB or TWRP, If no loader blocker is installed.
2. Backup leak: Backup files MIUI You can decrypt it with a utility like Mi Backup Decrypt.
3. Vulnerabilities MIUI: In the past, Mi Browser found bugs that allow you to steal passwords through the Internet. XSS-attacks (corrected in MIUI 13+).

How to defend yourself:

• 🔒 Install a lock (fastboot oem lock).
• 🛡️ Turn off the debugging. USB In Settings → For developers.
• 🔑 Use password managers (such as Bitwarden or 1Password) system-storage.
• 📲 Check active sessions in Mi Account (Settings) regularly → Xiaomi account → Security).

5. Reset passwords: what to do if you forget the data

If you have forgotten the password saved on Xiaomi, there are several ways to restore it:

Option 1: Recovery with Mi Account

1. Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Data management → Passwords.
2. Find the desired site in the list and click “Show password” (entering will be required). PIN-fingerprint).

Option 2: Use Google Password Manager

1. Open passwords.google.com on any device.
2. Sign up with the same Google account as you do on Xiaomi.
3. Find the right website and copy the password.

Option 3: Manual extraction from the browser (if there is root)

For Mi Browser:

sqlite3 /data/data/com.mi.globalbrowser/databases/browser.db "SELECT * FROM logins;"

Option 4: Resetting the password on the site

If none of these methods worked, use the "Forgot Password?" feature on the target site. Most services send a reset link to an email or phone.

⚠️ Note: If you reset your phone to factory settings without a backup, it will be impossible to restore locally stored passwords. /data. Exception: Passwords synced to Mi Account or Google.

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Synchronizing passwords with cloud services (Mi Account or Google) is the only reliable way to save access to data after a device is reset.

6.Alternative password managers for Xiaomi

System password storage in MIUI It's not always reliable. Let's look at the best alternatives:

1. Bitwarden Open-source Manager with encryption AES-256 support MIUI. Advantages:

• 🔐 Local storage (you can turn off the cloud).
• 📱 Integration with auto-complete in MIUI 12+.
• 💻 Free tariff with unlimited number of passwords.

2. 1Password

Paid service with convenient interface and support for Xiaomi.

• 🛡️ Secret Key for additional protection.
• 📎 Built-in complex password generator.
• 🌐 Synchronization between devices.

3. KeePassDX

Local Manager with support for.kdbx files is suitable for users who do not trust cloud services.

• 🔑 Storing passwords only on the device.
• 🔄 Synchronization with Nextcloud or Dropbox.
• 📱 It works without the internet.

4. Enpass

Hybrid: The data is stored locally, but there is a cloud sync option.

• 💰 Free for 25 passwords.
• 🔍 Built-in password security audit.
• 📲 Support MIUI hyperos.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When you use Xiaomi passwords, users often make critical mistakes.

Error 1: Storing passwords only in the browser

If you save passwords exclusively in Mi Browser or Chrome without syncing, when you reset your phone, they will be lost.Solution: enable sync with Mi Account or Google.

Error 2: Disabled two-factor authentication (2FA)

Even if your passwords are stored in the cloud, no 2FA Account vulnerable to hacking. Solution: Enable 2FA In Settings → Xiaomi account → Security.

Mistake 3: Using Simple PIN-code

Many users are setting up a simple PIN (Solution: use a complex pattern lock or biometrics to unlock passwords in Mi Account.

Mistake 4: Ignoring MIUI Updates

Old versions. MIUI (before MIUI 12) there were vulnerabilities that allowed you to extract passwords without root.

Error 5: Backups without encryption

Backup files MIUI Solution: Store backups in encrypted form (e.g., in VeraCrypt).

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The most reliable strategy is a combination of cloud sync (for backup) and local password manager (for security).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions