Where is the password from the Xiaomi Mi router stored? 4C: factory settings and methods of recovery

Why you can’t find the Xiaomi Mi Router password 4C?

You bought a used router Xiaomi Mi Router 4C, Have you forgotten your password after you reset, or just can't connect to your network? The problem is familiar to many: the manufacturer doesn't attach a sticker with data to the case, and the standard combinations are like, admin/admin or 12345678 In this article, we will look at all possible password storage locations, from factory settings to hidden configuration files.

Features of the Mi Router 4C It uses dynamic password generation when you first connect, which means that even if you reset the device to factory settings, the password won't become standard, it will be regenerated based on the same setup. MAC-But there are ways to recognize it or reset it.

Important: If the router was previously configured via the Mi Wi-Fi app (now Xiaomi Home), the password could have been saved in the Xiaomi cloud.

1. Factory password: where to look for it on the new router

On the box and the device Xiaomi Mi Router 4C You will not find a traditional sticker with SSID Instead, the manufacturer uses a unique security key that is generated when you first turn on, but there are two official sources where you can find factory data:

• 📦 Card complete: In the box with the router is a small white card with QR-code and text of the Wi-Fi type: Xiaomi_XXXX / Password: 8 If it's not there, the router has already been used.
• 🔄 Reset to factory settings: After hard reset (clamping the Reset button on the 10 The router will create a new network with a name Xiaomi_XXXX And it'll generate the password automatically, and you can see it in the web interface.

If the card is not available and the reset did not help (for example, the router gives an error), try connecting to it via cable and go to the control panel at 192.168.31.1.

⚠️ Note: If the router was previously linked to a Xiaomi account, a factory reset will not remove this link.

2 Where the password is stored in the router's web interface

If you have access to the Mi Router control panel 4C (You can see the Wi-Fi password in the settings:

1. Connect to the router via Ethernet cable (or via Wi-Fi if you remember the password).
2. Open your browser and go to 192.168.31.1 or miwifi.com.
3. Sign in (if required) on the global versions may require a Xiaomi account.
4. Go to the Wi-Fi section → Wi-Fi settings (or Advanced) → Wi-Fi in the old firmware).
5. The password will be displayed in the Wi-Fi Password field as dots. Click on the eye icon (👁️), see.

If the password field is blocked, the router is linked to the Xiaomi account.

Untie the router from the account in the Xiaomi Home app

Reset the router to factory settings (if not tied to the account)

Contact the previous owner for account details

Use alternative methods (see section 4)

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In some firmware, you can see the password in the source code of the page.

1. On the Wi-Fi settings page, click Ctrl+U (or right-hand button) → Viewing the page code).
2. Find a string with password or psk (use page search – Ctrl)+F).

⚠️ Note: In firmware newer than 2.20.53, the source code password is encrypted.

3. How to find a password through the Mi Wi-Fi or Xiaomi Home app

If the router is linked to a Xiaomi account, the most reliable way to see the password is through the official application. The instructions are relevant for both versions of the software (Mi Wi-Fi for old models and Xiaomi Home for new ones):

• 📱 Step. 1: Install the Xiaomi Home app (Android/iOS) log in to the same account as on the router.
• 🔍 Step 2: Find your Mi Router in the main menu 4C (It should be displayed as a connected device).
• ⚙️ Step 3: Slip on the router → Wi-Fi settings → Wi-Fi password. This will show the current password.
• 🔄 Step 4: If you need to change your password, click Change and enter a new one (minimum 8 characters).

Important: If a router was purchased by a used user and linked to another user’s account, the only way to unlock it is to contact the previous owner or make a full reset via the MiWiFi Recovery Tool (see Section 5).

If the application does not see the router:

• Check that the phone and router are connected to the same network.
• Update the app to the latest version.
• Reboot the router (reboot button on the back).

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If you don’t have access to the original Xiaomi account, try resetting your router to recovery mode (see section 5).

4. Alternative ways: how to find out the password without resetting

If standard methods don't work, you can try non-obvious password options, which require a little more effort, but often help to avoid a complete reset.

Method 1: Viewing saved passwords on connected devices

If you're on the Mi Router. 4C Whenever a laptop, smartphone or tablet was connected, the password could be saved in the system:

• 💻 Windows: Open the settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi → Managing known networks. Choose your network. → Properties → Check the box to show the inputs.
• 📱 Android: Install the WiFi Password Viewer app (root rights required) or look in the file /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml.
• 🍎 MacOS: Open the Terminal and enter: security find-generic-password -wa "NAME NETWORK"

Method 2: Connection to WPS

If the router has activated the function WPS (button on the back, you can connect to the network without a password:

1. Press the button. WPS on the router (the indicator will light up).
2. On your device (smartphone/laptop) select the network Xiaomi_XXXX and press Connect through WPS.
3. After connecting, go to the router settings and see the password (see Section 2).

⚠️ Attention: WPS vulnerable to brute force attacks. After use, disable this function in the router settings (Advanced) → WPS → Disable).

Method 3: Export of router configuration

In some of the firmware Mi Router 4C You can export settings to a file where the password is stored in plain form:

1. Go to the router's web interface (192.168.31.1).
2. Go to Advanced. → System → Backup & Restore.
3. Click Backup and save the file config.tar.gz.
4. Open the archive with any archiver and find the file. etc/wireless/2G/wpa.conf or etc/wireless/5G/wpa.conf.
5. It'll have a line in it. wpa_psk="Your password".

5. Complete reset and unlock via MiWiFi Recovery Tool

If the router is blocked by Xiaomi account or does not respond to standard reset methods, you will have to use emergency recovery mode.

• 🖥️ Windows computer 7/10/11.
• 🔌 Ethernet Cable (to connect router to PC).
• 📁 MiWiFi Recovery Tool (you can download from the official website).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn the router off the power.
2. Press the Reset button and, without letting it go, connect the power.
3. Hold the Reset button for 15-20 seconds until the indicator starts flashing orange (restore mode).
4. Connect the router to your PC via Ethernet and start the MiWiFi Recovery Tool.
5. Choose the Mi Router model 4C and press Start. It will automatically sew clean firmware.
6. After the reboot, the router will create a new network with a name Xiaomi_XXXX and generates a password.

If the utility does not see the router:

• Check if the port is being used. LAN1 (not WAN!).
• Turn off the firewall and antivirus on the PC.
• Try another one. USB-cable (sometimes a problem with food).

⚠️ Warning: After recovery, all router settings will reset, including linking to a Xiaomi account. If the router was stolen, this method will not work - you will need an original account of the previous owner.

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Use the MiWiFi Recovery Tool only as a last resort, which erases all data, including backups and port settings.

6 How to protect a router after access is restored

After you have access to the Mi Router 4C, It's important to protect it from recurring problems:

• 🔐 Change the standard password to a complex one (minimum) 12 symbols, with numbers and special symbols: Xiaomi4C_2026!WiFi.
• 📱 Link the router to your Xiaomi account (in the Xiaomi Home app) and this will protect you from being reset by strangers.
• 🔄 Turn it off. WPS in the settings (Advanced) → WPS → Disable).
• 🛡️ Update the firmware to the latest version (System) → Firmware Upgrade).
• 📡 Change the name of the network (SSID) unique (not unique) Xiaomi_XXXX).

We also recommend:

• Configure a guest network for temporary devices (Wi-Fi) → Guest Network).
• Enable filtration by MAC-Addresses (if you need to restrict access).
• Disable Remote Control (Advanced) → Remote Management → Disable).

If the router is used in an office or public place, consider setting up a router. VPN-server on it (in firmware based on OpenWRT it is possible).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the password on Xiaomi Mi Router 4C