The situation when you come to visit friends or need to connect a new gadget, and remember a complex password from a wireless network is not possible, is quite common. MIUI And the new HyperOS, they offer built-in mechanisms to solve this problem without having to reset the router. IT-a specialist to extract stored credentials directly from the device interface.
In this article, we will discuss in detail a few methods to help you know the access key. We will look at the regular system tools that work on most current models, and also touch on more complex options for older versions of Android. Data security remains a priority, so some methods will require verification of the identity of the owner through biometrics or pin code.
Often, users forget that a phone already connected to the network is actually the custodian of all the encryption keys needed. It's enough to interpret the system prompts correctly or scan a special code. Let's move from theory to practice and figure out how to quickly restore access to the wireless network.
Use of the public access function through QR-code
The easiest and fastest way available on the vast majority of modern Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones is generation. QR-Starting with Android 10, this feature is built deep into the system and does not require installing third-party apps. You just need to go to the settings menu, where the connection settings are stored.
Find the network you're currently connected to or have used before, and next to the network name, you usually have a gear icon or arrow to the right, and you click on it, and you'll be taken to a detailed menu where you'll be asked to share it, and that's where the code is hidden.
A square barcode will appear on the screen, and underneath it, the password text is usually shown in small print. However, if the text is hidden or not readable, you can simply take a screenshot of the screen or use a second phone with a camera and scan function. QR-If you scan the image, you get a string with the access key in its pure form.
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If the password text is under QR-the code does not appear, take a screenshot of the screen and open it through Google Photos or Google Lens - the system itself recognizes the text and will show the password.
Importantly, to view these settings, the system may require you to unlock your device using a fingerprint, Face ID, or pattern lock, a standard security measure to prevent data theft by unauthorized individuals who have gained physical access to your unlocked phone.
View through the Wi-Fi menu and connection settings
The MIUI shell interface may vary depending on the version, but the search logic remains the same. You first need to go to the network connection control center. To do this, swipe down from top to bottom of the screen to open the notification curtain, and find the Wi-Fi icon.
A long-term tap on the Wi-Fi icon (or tapping the arrow next to it) will take you to the full wireless settings menu, and here you'll see the list of available networks and the current active connection, and it's the name of the network that says "Connected" that you need to focus on.
- 📱 Click on the active network name to open the card with details.
- 🔍 Look for a “share” button or icon QR-code at the bottom of the screen.
- 🔐 Confirm your identity by entering the unlock password or putting your finger on the scanner.
- 👁️ Visually check the code and text line below it.
In some versions of firmware, especially in Chinese builds or old releases of Global ROM, The interface may look different. QR-The code at once, try clicking on the Edit button or pencil icon if it's available for the current network.This action also often opens up access to the full connection profile.
☑️ Password access verification
Xiaomi is committed to making network management as intuitive as possible, so important features are usually brought to the first level of the nesting menu. If you are in the network area but are not connected to it right now (for example, a phone in sleep mode), the password viewing function may not be available - connect first.
How to find out the password on older versions of MIUI and Android
Owners of devices that have not received updates to Android 10 and above, or users of custom firmware based on older versions MIUI, They're constrained. In these systems, the generation function is QR-The code may be missing or hidden, but if your phone has root rights, things change dramatically.
Root rights (superuser rights) give full access to the Android file system, including system partitions where critical data is stored. wpa_supplicant.conf. It is in plain form (or hashed, depending on the version of Android) stores all ever entered passwords from Wi-Fi networks.
To view this file, you will need a root-enabled file manager, such as Root Explorer or MIXplorer.
/data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.confWhen you open this file with any text editor, you'll see configuration blocks for each network. Look for the ssid string for your network name and the psk string that contains the password you want. Be extremely careful when working with system files: any incorrect change in this directory can cause the Wi-Fi module to fail.
⚠️ Note: Getting root rights voids the device warranty and may disrupt the banking applications and services of Google Pay. Use this method only if you fully understand the risks.
If there is no root right, but a function QR-There's no code, the only legal way is to log in to the router's settings. IP-The gateway address (often 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and the administrator login/password are often listed on a sticker at the bottom of the router itself.
Using third-party applications for recovery
Google Play and GetApps offer a variety of utilities that promise to show saved passwords. However, since Android 10, Google has significantly restricted applications from accessing Wi-Fi system data for cybersecurity purposes, most of which either do not work without root rights or only show networks that were created through them.
However, there are scanning applications. QR-codes that can help if you use screen-to-screen. You take a screenshot of a page from the screen. QR-You can use the code in your Xiaomi settings and then open it in the scanner app.
- 📸 Google Lens – built into many phones, perfectly recognizes text and codes in screenshots.
- 📡 WiFi Analyzer is a powerful tool for network analysis, although it doesn’t always show passwords directly without root.
- 🔍 QR & Barcode Scanner – Specialized Utility for Decoding Images.
Beware of apps with names like "WiFi Password Hacker" or "Show WiFi Key." Often these programs are advertising junk or worse, malware that steals your personal data. Trust only trusted developers and read reviews before installing.
Why don't apps show passwords?
Table: Comparison of password viewing methods
To make it easier for you to navigate the ways to restore access, we have prepared a summary table that will help you choose the best option depending on the version of your operating system and whether you have additional rights.
| Method | Necessary rights | Android version | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| QR-code | No. | 10 and above | Low. |
| File. wpa_supplicant.conf | Root (Super User) | Anybody. | Tall. |
| Log in to the router (web interface) | Admin router password | Anybody. | Medium |
| Screenshot + QR scanner | No. | 10 and above | Low. |
As you can see from the table, the first method is still relevant for most users, it doesn't require technical knowledge and works out of the box. The router login method is universal, but it requires you to remember the router's administrator password or it was set by default.
Frequent problems and their solution
Sometimes, even with all the necessary conditions, users encounter difficulties, such as the share button may be inactive, or QR-This is often because the phone is connected to the network via guest mode or uses a corporate security certificate that does not allow easy key transfer.
Another common problem is locking the screen. If the device does not have a pin code or pattern lock installed, the system may not allow you to view the saved passwords, considering the device is not sufficiently secure. → Passwords and security.
⚠️ Warning: If you reset your network settings to factory settings, all saved Wi-Fi passwords will be deleted without recovery.
It’s also worth checking if the router is running SSID hidden broadcast mode, in which case the phone can connect automatically, but the name will be hidden from the list of available networks, making it harder to navigate the menu.
In conclusion, managing wireless connections on Xiaomi has become much more convenient with the release of new versions of Android. QR-The code has saved users from having to memorize complex character combinations. Use the built-in features of the system first, as they are the most secure and stable.
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The most reliable and quick way to find out the password on modern Xiaomi is to use the built-in generation function. QR-code in the Wi-Fi menu that does not require third-party software.