Many users face a situation when you need to connect a new gadget to the home network, but the password from the router has long been forgotten or written somewhere in a notebook that can not be found right now. Xiaomi smartphone owners often wonder whether it is possible to quickly extract stored data directly from the device so as not to reset the router settings. Fortunately, the MIUI shell provides quite flexible tools for working with network connections, allowing in most cases to do without third-party software.
However, the process of viewing the access key depends on the version of the Android operating system and the specific modification of the interface. If on modern smartphones this procedure takes a couple of seconds through the standard menu, then on older models may require more complex manipulation of superuser rights or use of the user’s rights. ADB-It is important to understand that data security is a priority, which is why Google is gradually restricting direct access to system files where passwords are stored.
In this article, we will discuss all current methods, from simple scans to simple ones. QR-You will learn where to look for hidden settings in Settings → Wi-Fi and what to do if the usual buttons do not work. Don't worry if the first time fails - the algorithms of actions can vary slightly depending on the regional firmware.
The way for Android 10 and newer: QR-code
Since the tenth version of Android, Google has implemented a convenient mechanism for exchanging data on wireless networks through the Internet. QR-It's the easiest and most secure way to do that, and it doesn't require you to get a Root license or connect to a computer. MIUI 11, 12, 13 and later this function works stably and allows you not only to connect another device, but also to see the password itself in text form.
To start, you need to go to the wireless settings menu, which is usually Settings → Wi-Fi. Here you will see a list of available networks, and at the top you will see the one you are currently connected to. Click on your network name or the arrow to the right of your network to reveal additional connectivity options.
In the window that opens, you will see a “share” button or icon. QR-After you press it, it will ask you to verify your identity with your fingerprint, Face. ID It's a standard security measure to prevent unauthorized access to your data in the event of a phone loss.
💡
If QR-The code doesn’t show up immediately, try clicking on the “i” icon in the circle next to the network name, and then look for the “Share” button".
After successful authentication, the screen will appear QR-It's usually in small print, and it's written in the following text: WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:12345678;;. The numbers and characters after P: and that's your password you want, you can just rewrite them or take a screenshot and zoom in for ease of reading.
⚠️ Note: Never post screenshots from the QR-So anyone with a smartphone with a camera can read the code and access your Internet.
If the code is not displayed (this happens on some versions). MIUI For Global, you can use a second smartphone. Just run a standard camera or scanner. QR-The notification or pop-up often displays the full text of the connection bar, including the password.
Use of the "Password Exchange" function on MIUI
Xiaomi has added a unique feature to its devices that allows you to transfer Wi-Fi passwords to other Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices in one touch, which works through the MI Share protocol and is exclusive to the manufacturer’s ecosystem.
The mechanism is based on NFC or Bluetooth scanning, and when you're in the Wi-Fi menu and you see the "Push to share password" button, the system activates a special detection mode, so the second user just unlocks his phone and brings it to your device.
- 📱 Make sure that both devices have Bluetooth enabled and the screens are unlocked.
- 🔗 Click on the "Share" icon in the menu of your Wi-Fi network.
- 📡 Hold the second Xiaomi phone to the first (spins or screens, depending on the model).
- ✅ Accept the connection request on the second device.
The main advantage of this method is that the password is not displayed anywhere in plain form, it is transmitted in an encrypted data packet, which reduces the risk of interception by attackers nearby, but if your goal is to see the combination of characters to manually enter it on a laptop or TV, this method is not suitable, because it is designed to automatically set up.
It should be noted that the function requires that both devices be in contact, the distance should not exceed a few centimeters. If the transmission does not occur, check whether one of the phones is not on the "Invisibility" mode in the Bluetooth settings.
Method for older versions of Android (without Root rights)
On devices running Android 9 Pie and older versions, the system does not allow applications and the user to read the file with saved passwords directly. wpa_supplicant.conf But there's a workaround that allows you to see the saved network, although not always the password itself explicitly.
You can try Google's settings backup feature. Go to Settings → Google → Backup. If you have Wi-Fi password sync enabled, they're theoretically saved in the cloud. But it's almost impossible to view them through the phone interface on older versions of the OS without special utilities.
One of the few legal ways is to use USB debugging (ADB), which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer, you need to install ADB drivers and execute a command to output a list of networks, which is a more complex but effective way for tech-savvy users.
adb shell dumpsys wifi | grep"mConfigKey"This command can display information about the current configuration, but on stock firmware without Root rights, the password output is often masked with asterisks. However, sometimes you can find clues or network names in the logs, which will help you remember the combination if you changed it earlier.
⚠️ Attention: Use ADB-Incorrectly typing commands into the console can lead to unstable system operation or reset network settings.
If you critically need to get a password from an old device, and there are no Root rights, the most reliable option is to log into the router's web interface. IP-The gateway address (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) that can be viewed in the Wi-Fi status of the connection on the phone.
View through the file system with Root rights
For users with unlocked bootloaders and installed Root rights (for example, through Magisk), the process of obtaining a password becomes trivial. You get full access to the system partition, where all configuration files of the operating system are stored.
You will need a file manager with superuser rights, such as Root Explorer, MT Manager or Solid Explorer. Once the application is granted Root rights, you need to go the following way:
/data/misc/wifi/There's a file in this folder. WifiConfigStore.xml (on new Android devices, or wpa_supplicant.conf (It's where the text is stored in plain text. SSID passwords.
- 📂 Open the file manager and go to the root of the system.
- 🔍 Find a Wi-Fi configuration file.
- 📝 Open it as a text file (Text Viewer).
- 👀 Find PreSharedKey or psk tag – the value next to it is the password.
The advantage of this method is that you can see passwords from every network you've ever connected, not just the current one, and it can be useful if you want to restore access to a friend's network or work you've been connecting to a month ago.
Risks of obtaining Root rights
After viewing the information, be sure to close the file without saving the changes unless you have deliberately changed the settings. XML-The file can cause the smartphone to stop seeing the Wi-Fi module at all.
Log in to the router settings via the browser
If none of the software methods worked, there is always a “iron” way – logging into the router’s admin panel. It does not require the phone itself, the password from which you forgot, it is enough for any device connected to the same network (or connected by cable).
Open the browser on your smartphone and enter in the address bar IP-You can find the gateway address by going to Settings. → Wi-Fi → (Name of the network) → Details. The setting is called "Gateway" or "Router." Most commonly it's 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.31.1 (for Xiaomi routers).
The system will ask for the username and password of the administrator. If you have never changed them, try the standard combinations that are indicated on the sticker at the bottom of the router. Often used pairs admin/admin or admin/password.
| Router brand | Standard IP | Login by default | Password default |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi / Redmi | 192.168.31.1 | admin | (set at the first setting) |
| TP-Link | 192.168.0.1 | admin | admin |
| ASUS | 192.168.1.1 | admin | admin |
| D-Link | 192.168.0.1 | admin | (empty) |
Once you've entered the interface, find the "Wireless," "Wi-Fi," or "Wireless," where the "Password," "Key," or "Password" field will show the current combination, and you can copy it or change it to a more memorable one.
💡
The most reliable way to find out the password is to look at the sticker on the router’s case or log into its web interface, since this data is not dependent on the version of Android on the phone.
Remember, if the router administrator password was changed by the previous owner and you don't know it, you'll have to reset the router to factory settings with the Reset button on the case.
Frequent problems and their solutions
When trying to learn a password, users often encounter various errors, such as the Share button may be inactive, or QR-This may be due to a temporary failure of the wireless module service.
Try to do a simple reset of network settings. To do this, turn on and off In-plane mode. If that doesn't work, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. Note: this action will delete all saved networks, but can fix a software error that blocks viewing parameters.
Another common problem is hidden SSID, which means that if the network is hidden, the phone may not show it in standard methods, even if the connection is active, and only through root files or logging into the router will help.
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone completely, not just turn off the screen.
- 📶 Make sure you are connected to the network from which the password is needed.
- 🛡️ Check if antiviruses are installed that block access to system settings.
It is also worth considering that corporate networks or networks with authorization through a web page (Captive Portal) may not save a password in normal text form, as they use dynamic access tokens.