Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi and POCO lines) automatically store passwords from Wi-Fi networks, browser accounts, and some apps. But what if you forget your password and your phone remembers it? In this article, we’ll look at all the working ways to extract saved passwords, from standard MIUI features to methods for power users.
Importantly, not all methods are universal. For example, passwords from Google accounts or banking applications are system-level secure and not easy to extract. But data from home Wi-Fi or saved logins in Chrome can be restored without special skills. We also tell you how to proceed if you do not have root rights - and what to do if you have them.
Warning: Retrieving passwords may violate the security policies of some services, and use these methods only for your devices and legitimate purposes.
1. How to view your Wi-Fi password on Xiaomi without root
The easiest way to do this is to use built-in tools. MIUI. Xiaomi smartphones allow you to view passwords from connected Wi-Fi networks through the settings menu, but with one caveat: you will need confirmation by fingerprint, pattern lock or PIN-code.
Instructions:
- Open the Settings. → Wi-Fi.
- Click on the current network name (or select the saved network from the list).
- Slip the Share Password button (or Share in global firmware).
- Confirm identification (print/PIN/pattern lock).
- The password will be displayed under QR-code.
⚠️ Note: If there is no password button, then:
- 🔄 You have an outdated version. MIUI (Update the system in Settings → The phone. → Update MIUI).
- 🔒 Network added through WPS or other method without entering a password.
- 📱 The device is running Android Go (stripped version).
2. View passwords in the browser (Chrome, Mi Browser)
Browsers on Xiaomi store usernames and passwords from sites if you have given permission to do so, and you can extract them through your browser settings or Google Password Manager (if you use synchronization with your Google account).
Method 1: Through Mi Browser
- 🌐 Open Mi Browser (standard Xiaomi browser).
- 🔧 Go to the menu (⋮) → Settings → Passwords.
- 🔑 Enter. PIN-proof-code.
- 📋 Select a site from the list – the password will appear as dots (click on the eyewitness to see).
Method 2: Through Google Chrome
- 🌐 Open Chrome and log in to your Google account.
- 🔧 Go to the address. chrome://settings/passwords.
- 🔑 Click on the eye icon next to the password and enter PIN-phone.
- 📋 Export passwords to the file (option) ⋮ → Export of passwords if you need to keep a backup copy.
💡 Useful advice: If you are using POCO Launcher or custom firmware, the path to the browser settings may be different, in which case it is easier to use Google Password Manager at passwords.google.com (authentication required).
☑️ Preparation for password extraction
3.Using Xiaomi Password Manager (MIUI 12 and later)
Since MIUI 12, Xiaomi has built-in Password Manager, which stores data from apps and websites, but it doesn’t work on all models and requires additional setup.
How to find it:
- Open Settings → Passwords and Security → Password Manager.
- Sign up with a fingerprint or PIN-code.
- In the list, select the service you want (for example, VK, Instagram or a banking application).
- Click on the eye icon to see the password.
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi Password Manager does not support:
- 🔐 Passwords from system applications (e.g. Mi Account).
- 📱 Data saved until updated MIUI 12.
- 🌍 Logins from services that use two-factor authentication (2FA).
If the password manager is not in your firmware, try updating your MIUI or installing it through GetApps (the official Xiaomi store).
4. Removing passwords using ADB (without root)
For advanced users, there is a way to get passwords through Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices, which works without root rights, but requires connecting the phone to a computer.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
- 📱 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
- 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
- 🛠️ Utility. ADB (download from the official website).
Instructions:
1. Connect the phone to the PC and allow debugging (a request will appear on the smartphone screen).
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter a command to view the list of Wi-Fi networks:
adb shell su -c "cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml"
*If it requests root, this method will not work – go to the root access section.
4. For passwords from the browser, use:
adb pull /data/data/com.android.chrome/app_chrome/Default/Login\ Data
* Login Data can be opened using DB Browser for SQLite.⚠️ Attention: Method C ADB limiting:
- 🔒 Not all passwords are stored in the open (for example, Google Smart Lock data is encrypted).
- 📱 On some firmware Xiaomi access to /data/misc/wifi/ blocked even though ADB.
- 🛡️ Extracted files may contain personal data – keep them safe.
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
5. Viewing passwords with root access (for power users)
If your Xiaomi has root rights (e.g., through Magisk), you can extract any saved passwords, including data from apps and system services, the most powerful method, but also the riskiest – wrong actions can lead to data loss or locking the device.
Where to look for passwords:
| Password type | The path to the file | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml | Passwords are stored in plain form in <string name="PreSharedKey"> tags. |
| Chrome browser | /data/data/com.android.chrome/app_chrome/Default/Login Data | A file in SQLite format, requires a program to view (e.g., SQLite Browser). |
| Annexes | /data/data/[package_name]/shared_prefs/ | The folder name depends on the application (e.g. com.vkontakte.android for VK). |
| Mi Account | /data/system/users/0/accounts.db | The password is encrypted, it is impossible to extract it without decrypting. |
How to view files:
- Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
- Follow one of the paths from the table above.
- Copy the desired file to a memory card or computer.
- Open the file with the appropriate software (text editor for.xml, SQLite Browser for.db).
⚠️ Note: Modifying or deleting files in the folder /data Don't edit files directly on your device - always back up.
💡
If you often forget passwords, install a password manager (like Bitwarden or KeePassDX) and set up autocomplete.This is safer than storing data in a browser or system files.
6. Alternative methods: backups and third-party utilities
If none of the above methods worked, you can try to restore passwords from a backup or use specialized utilities.
Method 1: Recovery from the MIUI backup
- 📱 Make a backup copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backups.
- 🖥️ Connect the phone to the PC and copy the backup file (located in the /MIUI/backup/AllBackup/).
- 🔍 Use an archiver (for example, 7-Zip) Passwords can be stored in files with the extension.db or.xml.
Method 2: Third-party utilities (root only)
- 🛠️ WiFi Password Viewer – Shows all saved networks and passwords (requires root).
- 🔑 Password Manager – extracts logins from browsers and applications.
- 📱 Titanium Backup – allows you to export application data, including passwords (for power users).
⚠️ Note: Third-party utilities can:
- 🔍 Collect your data (check reviews and permissions before installation).
- 📵 Conflict with MIUI, disruptively.
- 🚫 Violate the terms of use of certain services (for example, banking applications).
💡
The most reliable way to save passwords is to use dedicated managers (Bitwarden, 1Password) with cloud synchronization, which eliminates the need to extract data manually.
7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
When trying to extract passwords, users often face typical problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to solve them.
Error 1: No “Share Password” button is available
- 🔄 Update. MIUI last-minute.
- 📱 Check if the network is hidden (in the router settings, disable the Hide option). SSID).
- 🔧 Reset network settings: Settings → Wi-Fi → ⋮ → Additionally. → Resetting network settings.
Error 2: ADB does not see the device
- 🖥️ Install Xiaomi drivers (download Mi) PC Suite from the official website).
- 🔌 Try another one. USB-cable (preferably original).
- 📱 Include in the developer settings the option Debugging by USB (security).
Error 3: Password files are empty or encrypted
- 🔐 On the new versions MIUI Some passwords are encrypted with reference to the device – it is impossible to extract them without root.
- 📱 If you reset your phone to factory settings, the data could have been deleted.
- 🔄 Try to restore passwords through Google Password Manager (if sync was enabled).
💡 Tip: If you plan to drop your phone or sell it, pre-export passwords through Google Chrome or Mi Cloud.