Today’s Xiaomi smartphone users store vast amounts of sensitive information on their devices, often with a Google account as the key. Recollecting or copying a forgotten password to log in to a new device or browser is a common occurrence. Fortunately, the Android operating system, which is based on the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, has a built-in and robust password manager.
Unlike the older versions of Android, which required searching for complex paths in system files, the procedure is now as simplified and standardized as possible: you do not need to install third-party applications or have superuser rights. All necessary information is securely encrypted and is only available after passing a biometric check or input. PIN-screen-lock.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions for accessing stored credentials. We will consider the regular system tools, the features of operation in different versions of firmware and answer questions of security of data storage in the cloud of the corporation.
The regular mechanism for saving passwords in Android
The basis for storing sensitive data in Xiaomi smartphones is the Google Password Manager service. This is a system component that automatically offers to save a login and password when you log into any account or site through the Chrome browser or system applications. The integration of this service is deep, which ensures the synchronization of data between all devices associated with a single Google account.
When you enter login data on a resource, the system asks if you need to remember it. If you do, the information is encrypted and sent to secure Google servers. On a Xiaomi device, this data is accessed through the security settings menu. Local storage also exists, but it serves as a cache for fast auto-fill forms.
It's important to understand the difference between the password from the Google account itself (which you invented when registering your email) and the passwords from third-party sites saved in that account. The browsing mechanism is the same, but the objects are different. The system doesn't store your primary password from Google in plain view in your phone's security settings, but it allows you to reset or change it.
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Use different passwords for different services. Google's password manager allows you to generate complex character combinations that you can't match with brute-force.
Step-by-step: access via phone settings
The fastest and most reliable way to save data is to use the built-in menu of operating system settings. the interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13, 14) or HyperOS, but the navigation logic remains the same for all Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones.
First, unlock your device's screen, make sure you're connected to the Internet, as some data can be downloaded from the cloud in real time, and then follow the following path in the menu:
- 📱 Open the Settings app (cog icon).
- 🔍 At the top of the screen, use the search bar and enter the request "Passwords" or "Password Manager".
- 🔑 Select the Password or Google option → Auto-filling → Google Autocomplete.
- 👁️ The system will require you to verify your identity with a fingerprint, face or pattern lock.
Once you've authenticated successfully, you'll see a list of all the sites and applications that have login credentials. You'll find the service you want on the google.com list, and you'll see the login (often hidden with asterisks) and the password field, and you'll click on your eye icon to see the characters.
☑️ Password access verification
⚠️ Warning: If the system fails to respond or gives an error when pressing the eye icon, check if a reliable method of protection is installed on the lock screen (PIN-Without this, the password viewing function is often blocked for security reasons.
Alternative way through the Chrome browser
If you have difficulty accessing system settings for some reason or if the MIUI interface seems too confusing, you can use the Google Chrome browser, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones, which is especially convenient if you are used to managing data through the browser interface.
Open the Chrome app on your phone. Click on the three dots in the top right corner of the screen to open the menu, and select Settings. In the list that opens, look for the Password Manager section. This shows the same list as the Android system settings, because the data source is the same.
The advantage of this method is that it is often more convenient to search through sites and there is an additional function to check passwords for reliability. The browser can warn you if any of the saved passwords were found in data leaks on the Internet.
What if the list is empty?
To view a specific password, tap the name of the site. You'll need to verify your identity again. Then click on the eye icon in the password field, and you'll get an additional copy option, which is very convenient for pasting data on other devices.
Account management and security
Your data security at Xiaomi and Google is built on layered security, but it is important for users to keep their digital security hygiene in check, and checking passwords regularly helps them identify outdated or too simple combinations.
The password manager has a deletion feature, so if you sell your phone or you just stop using a service, you better delete the saved password, which reduces the surface of a potential attack in the event of a compromise of the device.
Also worth paying attention to is the table below, which shows the basic actions available in the password management menu:
| Action. | Description | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Viewing | Displaying hidden password text | Biometry or PIN |
| Copying | Copying a login or password into a buffer | Biometry or PIN |
| Editing | Changing the stored data manually | Biometry or PIN |
| Removal | Complete removal of the record from the database | Biometry or PIN |
| Exports | Uploading the list to the CSV file | Google account password |
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Regularly cleaning old and unused passwords reduces the risk of data leakage, even if the phone falls into the wrong hands.
Synchronization problems and their solution
Often users are faced with a situation where the password stored on a computer or tablet is not displayed on a Xiaomi phone, which indicates a synchronization problem, first of all, you need to check the account status in the phone settings.
Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google. Make sure the Sync switch is activated and the account details are ticked against the Password Manager. If sync is disabled, no new data will be sent to the device.
- 🔄 Check for updates for Google and Google Play Services in the Play Market Store.
- 🌐 Make sure that the device has a stable Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
- ⚙️ Try to delete your account from the system and add it again (by making sure you remember your primary password).
Sometimes the problem is energy savings, which are characteristic of the MIUI shell. The system can aggressively close Google's background processes, preventing synchronization. Add Google's services to the battery exclusion list so they run smoothly.
⚠️ Note: When you add your account again, all data (contacts, photos, passwords) will be re-uploaded. Make sure you have a backup of important data that is not stored in the Google cloud.
Use of third-party password managers
While Google’s built-in manager is convenient, many Xiaomi users prefer to use specialized applications for increased security and cross-platform, with solutions like Bitwarden, 1Password or KeePass offering advanced functionality.
These apps work on a master password, where you remember one complex combination, and the app generates and stores unique passwords for each site, and unlike Google, the database of these apps is often stored locally or encrypted on the developer's servers, which gives an additional layer of control.
On Xiaomi smartphones, these apps integrate into the autocomplete system, and when you log in, the keyboard or system will suggest you choose the source of your passwords: Google or the installed manager, which allows you to flexibly manage access.
The main advantage of third-party solutions is independence from the ecosystem, so if you switch from Xiaomi to iPhone or use a Linux computer, access to passwords will remain the same and convenient, without being tied to a Google account.