How to view Wi-Fi password on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: all working methods

Forgot your home Wi-Fi password and it's not on your router's box? Or you need to plug in a new gadget but you're too lazy to look for a piece of code? There are several ways to extract a stored Wi-Fi password on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 -- and most of them don't require superuser rights or complex manipulations. In this article, we'll look at all the current methods, from standard MIUI features to hidden Android features.

Importantly, not all methods are equally secure, for example, using third-party applications can violate network security policies, and editing system files without root rights can be fraught with failures. We will describe the risks of each method in detail and give recommendations on how to minimize possible problems. If you rent a house or are connected to public Wi-Fi, it is illegal to learn a password without the permission of the network owner, remember this.

1. Standard method: via MIUI settings (without root)

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which works if the phone is already connected to the right Wi-Fi network and does not require any additional software installation.

1. Open the settings on your Redmi Note 8.
2. Go to Wi-Fi (or Connections → Wi-Fi in newer versions of MIUI).
3. Tap the name of the current network (near the inscription is Connected).
4. In the window that opens, click on the Share button (or Share in English firmware).
5. The system will request confirmation by PIN-code, print or pattern lock – enter it.
6. After authentication will appear QR-code and text password underneath.

⚠️ Note: If the share button is missing, then:

• 📱 You have an outdated version. MIUI (Update the firmware through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 🔒 The network is protected by a corporate protocol (e.g, WPA2-Enterprise), and the password cannot be extracted by standard means.
• 🛠️ The router manufacturer has blocked this feature (found by some providers).

If the method works, the password will be displayed in format "SSID: Your password – it can be copied or scanned QR-This method is guaranteed to work on the Redmi Note 8 with a different device. MIUI 11 and newer.

2. Alternative method: through file manager (no root)

If the standard method does not work, you can try to extract the password through the system file. wpa_supplicant.conf, Android stores data about the saved networks, which does not require root rights, but requires the installation of a file manager with access to system folders (for example, the system folders, FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer).

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager from Google Play that supports root folder access (e.g. FX File Explorer).
2. Open the manager and provide all the permissions requested.
3. Go to /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore/ or (older versions of Android): /data/misc/wifi/
4. Find the file. wpa_supplicant.conf Open it with any text editor.
5. The file will list all saved networks in the format: network={ ssid="Name network" psk="password" key_mgmt=WPA-PSK }

⚠️ Attention: Starting with Android 10 and MIUI 12 file-access /data/ It's limited even to file managers, and if you see an empty folder or an access error, it won't work without root rights. wpa_supplicant.conf — This can result in the loss of all the stored networks!

3. Use of third-party applications (with reservations)

Google Play has apps that promise to show root-free Wi-Fi passwords, including WiFi Password Viewer, WiFi Key Recovery, and WiFi Password Show, but it has serious drawbacks:

• 🚫 Unreliability: Most apps only run on Android before version 9 (on Redmi Note 8 with a new version) MIUI 12+ they're useless).
• 🛡️ Security risk: Many programs require suspicious permissions (e.g., access to a security system) SMS or contact).
• 📵 Limitations MIUI: Xiaomi blocks access to system data about Wi-Fi for third-party applications.

If you want to try it, follow these steps:

1. WiFi Password Viewer (SimoneDev developer) is one of the few apps that sometimes runs on Xiaomi.
2. Run it and give access to location and memory.
3. If the application shows a list of networks, tap the desired – the password will appear in the Password field.

💡 Useful tip: Before installing, check the app reviews from the last month.Many programs stop working after Android or Android updates MIUI. Also avoid apps that are rated below 4.0 – they often contain adware.

4.The method for advanced: ADB-commands (without root, but with PC)

If you have a computer and a little experience with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can extract the password through the command line.This method works on the Redmi Note 8 regardless of the MIUI version, but requires pre-setting.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on the phone (how to turn on - see below).
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (You can download from the official Android website).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB Debugging on Redmi Note 8: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (tap 7 times until the words “You became a developer” appear) → Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB (enable)
2. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in the computer on your smartphone screen.
3. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Linux/macOS) and enter: adb shell su -c "cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore/SoftAp/wpa_supplicant.conf" If the SoftAp folder is missing, try: su -c "cat /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf"
4. In the output, find the block with ssid="Name your network" and psk="password".

⚠️ Attention: On Android 11+ and MIUI 12.5+ This method may not work due to additional limitations, and some providers (such as Rostelecom or Beeline) encrypt passwords in this file, and they will appear as a random set of characters.

5.If nothing worked: resetting the router

When all the options are exhausted and the password is urgent, the radical method is to reset the router to the factory settings, which will remove all personal settings (including the Wi-Fi password), and you can specify a new code.

• 🔄 After resetting, you will have to reconfigure the router (including an Internet connection).
• 📡 If the router is rented from the provider (for example, MTS or MegaFon), the reset may disrupt its operation - it is better to specify the password in support.
• 🔌 On some models (e.g. TP-Link or ASUS) Reset is performed by holding the Reset button for 10-15 seconds.

💡 Useful tip: Before resetting your router, check the sticker on the bottom panel — sometimes manufacturers duplicate the factory password from Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi Key or Password field). If the router is new, chances are it still uses the standard password.

💡

Resetting a router is a last resort, and only use it if you're the owner of the device and you're ready to reset the network.

6. How to avoid problems in the future

To avoid looking for a Wi-Fi password next time, follow the simple guidelines:

• 📝 Save your password in a safe place: Use Google Password Manager (KeeePass) or write it down in a notebook.
• 📱 Backup your router settings: In the router administrator panel (usually at the address) 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) find a section Backup/Restore and keep the configuration.
• 🔄 Update the firmware MIUI: In new versions, it is easier to extract passwords through standard settings.
• 🔒 Use simple passwords for guest networks: If you have two Wi-Fi (main and guest), make the guest network password simple (e.g., make it easy for you to use your guest network password, guest1234).

⚠️ Warning: Never share your main network password with outsiders. If you want to give a guest access, use the Guest Network feature in your router settings, which restricts access to local devices (printers, NAS) It increases security.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Wi-Fi passwords on Xiaomi