The situation when you need to connect a new gadget or laptop to the home network, and the password is forgotten, is a regular. Owners of Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI shells or a new HyperOS are in a better position than users of other devices, thanks to the built-in features of the system. Android since the tenth version knows how to store access keys, but access to them is often hidden from the user by standard interface methods.
In this article, we will discuss how to view the password from Wi-Fi on Xiaomi Android, which is already connected to the smartphone. QR-Access to system files through Root rights and alternative methods through the router's web interface. Restoring access to the network does not require complex manipulations, if you know where the system stores encrypted data.
There are several levels of difficulty in obtaining this information, depending on the version of the operating system and access rights. For most users, standard tools built into Xiaomi developers will suffice. However, in some cases, especially on older versions of Android, more in-depth knowledge will be required.
Viewing the password through QR-code MIUI HyperOS
The easiest and safest way available on most modern Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones is to use the Share function or share. QR-This method does not require superuser rights and runs on stable versions of firmware. The system itself generates code that is encrypted. SSID network and access key.
To use this method, go to the Settings menu and select the Wi-Fi section. Find the network you are currently connected to (it will be ticked or at the top of the list). Click on the network name or the arrow to the right of it to open the detailed menu.
In the window you will see a large QR-code, on many versions. MIUI If you don't have the text, take a screenshot of the screen or click the Share button, then open the standard Camera or Scanner app in the gallery, point the lens at the code, and the system will give you a notification with a text bar containing the password.
⚠️ Attention: QR-The code contains the full access key in plain form. Don't send a screenshot of the code to outsiders, as they will be able to connect to your network without your knowledge.
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If the password text is under QR-no code, use the Google Lens app or any scanner QR-The result of the scan will contain a line of the form WIFI:S:Name;T:WPA;P:Password;; where after P: is your password.
This works by integrating Android’s data sharing capabilities, and the security is that it requires unlocking the smartphone screen to generate the code, so even if the phone falls into the wrong hands, you can’t find the password without biometrics or pin.
Use of Root rights and system files
For users with SuperUser (Root) rights, direct access to the system file is available, where Android stores all Wi-Fi passwords ever entered. wpa_supplicant.conf. The method is versatile and works on almost any version of Android, including older Xiaomi models where there is no feature. QR-code.
To start, you'll need a Root-enabled file manager, such as Root Explorer, Solid Explorer, or MT Manager. Once you install the app, give it superuser rights when you request the system.
/data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.confOpen this file as text. Inside you'll see a list of network blocks. Each block corresponds to the network you saved. Find the ssid field with your network name, and just below that is the psk field. The value in quotes after psk is your password.
☑️ Checking before accessing system files
⚠️ Note: Editing or removing lines in the file wpa_supplicant.conf It can cause all stored networks to reset or Wi-Fi modules to malfunction. Open file only in read mode.
If the file wpa_supplicant.conf If you don't find it on that path, maybe your device uses a different directory structure, or if the Android version has changed location, you can try looking for files with the.conf extension in the folder. /data/misc/wifi/. Also, it is worth considering that on some Xiaomi devices with Verified Boot protection enabled, access to the partition /data It can be limited even if you have a Root.
What to do if Root access is lost?
Receiving data through the router’s web interface
If your smartphone doesn't show a password and you don't have Root permissions, the most reliable way is to log in to the settings of the router itself. Because your Xiaomi is already connected to Wi-Fi, it has access to the LAN and can open the router's admin panel. It's a universal method that doesn't depend on the Android version.
First, you need to know. IP-Gateway address. Go to Settings. → Wi-Fi, click on the active network. Under "Settings" IP» or "Information" look for "Gateway" or "Router" -- usually the address of the type 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. Type this address into the browser address bar (Chrome, Mi Browser).
If you haven't changed them, try the standard combinations: admin/admin, admin/password, or the data on the sticker at the bottom of the router. After you log in, look for the Wireless, Wi-Fi Settings or Wireless Mode section, and the current password will be listed in the Wireless Password or PSK Key field.
| Router brand | Standard IP | Login by default | Password default |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi / Mi Router | 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 field) |
If standard passwords don't fit, and you don't remember them, you'll have to reset the router to factory settings. To do this, there's a Reset button on the device body that you need to hold for 10-15 seconds. After that, the router will return to the factory settings indicated on the sticker, but the Internet settings will have to be configured again.
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The router’s web interface is the only way to know the password if the smartphone is not connected to the network, but you have physical access to the router and the ability to connect your computer to it with a cable.
Using ADB for Advanced Users
The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) method allows access to system data without the mandatory Root rights, but requires a computer and enabled USB debugging on a smartphone, a method suitable for technically trained users who understand the principles of the command line.
Connect Xiaomi smartphone to your computer via USB-Make sure that the Developer menu activates Debugging by USB». Open the command line on the PC in the folder with installed ADB and enter a command to access the configuration file:
adb pull /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf c:/wifi.txtIf the device is not rooted, the command may fail or return an empty file due to Android security limitations. However, on some versions of MIUI firmware with specific permission settings, this command allows you to copy the configuration file to your computer. When you open the wifi.txt file, you will see the same data as when you access Root: sssid and psk.
Alternatively, use the command to output the contents of the file directly to the console, if the rights allow:
adb shell cat /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf⚠️ Note: On modern versions of Android (10 and above) access to the folder /data/misc/wifi/ through ADB Rootless security is closed, and this is mostly effective on older devices or custom firmware.
Specifics of working on different versions of Android
The system's behavior when storing passwords varies significantly depending on the version of Android. 10 (Pie) the data is stored in an open or easily decodeable form in a file wpa_supplicant.conf. Starting with Android 10, Google has implemented stricter security measures, and passwords are only available through the system. API (QR-code) or with full rights of Root.
Owners of Xiaomi smartphones with HyperOS may notice changes in the interface. Wi-Fi menu has become more minimalistic, but the sharing function through the user interface QR-The code has been preserved and even improved visually. It's important to understand that encryption of Wi-Fi keys in Android 12+ Uses separate security containers, making it impossible to read a text file without the appropriate decryption keys.
If you upgraded your smartphone to the latest version, but the function QR-If you're missing the code (which happens on some global firmware regions), try changing the region in your phone settings. Switching to China or India sometimes brings back functionality that developers have hidden for other markets.