How to view WiFi password on Android Xiaomi: the complete guide

Today’s Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones have powerful MIUI and HyperOS shells that hide many system data from the eyes of the average user for security. One of these hidden data is a stored wireless access key that is automatically inserted when you connect. However, in everyday life, there are often situations when you need to remember this code: for example, to connect a new laptop or tablet, when there is no other device with the Internet already configured.

There are several proven ways to restore access to forgotten data, ranging from regular operating system functions to more sophisticated methods using superuser rights. The choice of a particular method depends on the version of Android installed on your gadget, as well as on the availability of Root rights. In this article, we will discuss all the current options in detail so that you can choose the most suitable for your model.

It’s worth noting that Google’s security policy is getting stricter every year, restricting applications from accessing system files where network settings are stored. So on new devices with Android 10 and above, standard methods may not work without special manipulation.

Use of the function QR-code-in MIUI HyperOS

The easiest and legal way available to owners of Xiaomi smartphones with a shell MIUI 12 and later, as well as HyperOS, is to use the built-in generation function. QR-This method doesn't require you to install additional software or get superuser rights, and it creates a graphical key that will stitch the network password we need.

To start, you need to go to the settings menu of wireless modules. → Wi-Fi and click on the name of the network you are currently connected to or stored in the device's memory. On the screen that opens, you will see a share button or icon. QR-After clicking, the system will ask you to confirm your identity by unlocking the screen (Face) ID, fingerprint).

Once you've successfully logged in, you'll see a square code, and underneath it, you'll usually have WIFI:S:NetworkName;T:WPA;P:PasswordHere;;;;;; and the characters you want are after the letter P: and up to the double colon. If you don't see it right away, take a screenshot of the screen.

• 📱 Open the standard Camera or Scanner application in the Tools folder".
• 📷 Point the lens over the screenshot taken with QR-code in a gallery or on another phone screen.
• 🔍 The system recognizes the code and will show a notification with the network data.
• 📋 Copy a text string to see the hidden key in its pure form.

💡

If under QR-If you have no text string, use Google Lens through the Photos or Camera app – it can read text directly from the code image.

⚠️ Note: Do not send screenshots from QR-codes to unknown people, as anyone can read them and access your network without your knowledge.

This method is the safest and most stable for most users. It works on the vast majority of modern models, including the Xiaomi Mi 11, Redmi Note 10/11/12 and more recent versions. However, if you have a very old version of the firmware or, conversely, a stripped-down Chinese build without Google services, the interface may be different.

View through the settings menu of Android 10 and above

Since the tenth version of the Android operating system, Google has introduced the native ability to view stored networks directly in the settings interface. On Xiaomi smartphones with the shell MIUI 12, 13, 14 and HyperOS, this functionality is also available, but its location can vary depending on the regional version of the firmware (Global, EEA, China).

To use this method, go to Settings → Wi-Fi. Unlike the older versions, there may be a separate Save Networks section or a network management button. Choose the right access point. In some cases, if you click on the gear icon or arrow next to the network name, a detailed menu will open, where the password field will be hidden by dots.

Click on the eye, and the system will require you to confirm your rights to make changes or view sensitive information. Once you enter the unlock pin or biometric check, the dots will change to password characters, which works without third-party software, but requires that the phone be unlocked.

It is important to understand that in some custom builds or on devices designed for certain carriers, manufacturers may hide this feature, in which case the password field may be inactive or the view button will be absent, then you will have to resort to alternative options described below.

Use of file managers with Root access

For users with SuperUser (Root) rights, it opens up system configuration files, where all passwords ever entered are stored. It's the most reliable method that works even on very old versions of Android, which don't have any. QR-However, it requires the bootloader to be unlocked and permissions set through Magisk or embedded tools. MIUI (old-form).

After you get root permissions, you’ll need a file manager with support for the system partition, such as Root Explorer, MT Manager or Solid Explorer (with root mode enabled). /data/misc/wifi/. In this folder is a file with a name. WifiConfigStore.xml (Android 10+) or wpa_supplicant.conf (older versions).

Open this file as text. Inside, you'll find a lot of entries with <SSID> tags (network name) and <PreSharedKey> tags or psk. The value next to those tags is your desired password. Be very careful when you're working with system files.

• 📂 Start a file manager with root rights.
• 📁 Go to the root directory along the way /data/misc/wifi/.
• 📝 Open the configuration file in text mode.
• 🔍 Find a PreSharedKey or psk tag for your network.

⚠️ Warning: Any incorrect change to the system files of the WiFi configuration can cause the communication module to stop working correctly or the phone will enter a cyclical restart.

If you're not sure what you're doing, you'd better use the "read-only" function in the file manager to avoid accidentally changing the structure of the file, and backup the file before any manipulations, which is redundant for most ordinary users unless you're an advanced enthusiast.

Applications for Recovering WiFi Passwords

There are many utilities in the Google Play store and alternative directories that promise to show saved passwords, but it is important to understand how they work. Applications without root rights can not directly read the system file. They act as "intermediaries" using system systems. API generational QR-code or copy data to the clipboard if the Android version allows it.

One popular solution is the WiFi Password Viewer app or analogs. Once installed and provided with the necessary permissions, the program scans the list of saved networks. If root rights are not available, the application may suggest creating a shortcut or code to connect. On Xiaomi devices with MIUI, it is often required to additionally allow "autostart" and work in the background for such programs.

On Android 10 devices+ The functionality of these applications is very limited. They often just duplicate the function of creating. QR-So installing third-party software for a single function may not be feasible if you already have a built-in tool in the system.

Be careful with your software choices. Only download applications from trusted, highly rated developers. Otherwise, you risk installing an ad virus that will show banners at the most inopportune time. Always read reviews before installing.

Specifics of working with different versions of Android

Differences in password viewing methods are driven by changes to Google's security policy. on Android 9 (Pie) and below file access wpa_supplicant.conf It was relatively simple for root-right applications, starting with Android. 10, The system encrypts keywords and restricts access even for root applications without special permissions SELinux.

The table below compares the available methods depending on the version of the operating system installed on your Xiaomi or Redmi:

As you can see from the table, with each new version of the OS, the ability to easily view passwords by third parties is reduced, this is done to protect user data from malware. 13/14 It is necessary to rely primarily on staff funds. MIUI/HyperOS.

Resetting network settings as a last resort

If none of the methods worked, and you need to connect urgently, and you remember the router password (or have physical access to it), you can consider resetting the network settings on the phone, which will delete all stored WiFi networks, Bluetooth settings and mobile access points, returning them to factory values.

To perform the reset, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. Confirm action. Once the reboot is done, the phone will be “clean” in terms of network settings. You can connect to the desired network again by entering a password that you may remember in the process, or look at it on the router sticker.

This method won't show you the old password, but it will solve the connection problem if that's the purpose, but if the password isn't written anywhere and isn't known, resetting it won't help you know it, it will just delete it from the phone's memory.

Use this method only if other options are exhausted. Remember that after resetting, you will have to re-pair all Bluetooth devices such as watches, headphones and fitness bracelets.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)