Modern Xiaomi smartphones, which are based on MIUI shells or the new HyperOS, make it easy to share the Internet, turning the device into a mobile router. However, often there is a situation when you need to connect a new device, but the password from the Wi-Fi network is forgotten or never set by the user. In such cases, finding a way to see the password of the access point on Xiaomi becomes a priority for restoring connectivity.
Fortunately, the company's engineers have devised several mechanisms to restore access to authorization data. Security in Android systems is designed to hide this data from prying eyes, but there are always legal ways for the device owner to circumvent restrictions. We'll look at methods that don't require Root rights and complex programming.
It is important to understand that the menu interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version and region. However, the logic of the system remains the same for all models, whether it is the flagship Xiaomi 14 or the budget Redmi Note. Below we will discuss in detail each available method.
Standard method through Wi-Fi settings
The easiest and most reliable way to find out the password of the access point is to look at the system settings. In the latest versions of the MIUI shell (starting with 12.5) and in all versions of HyperOS, Google and Xiaomi have implemented the function of viewing and transferring access keys directly in the interface.
You first need to unlock your smartphone screen and go to the main settings menu. Find the wireless partition. The path may look different, but most often it's Connect and Sharing or just Wi-Fi, and that's where all the network settings of your device are stored.
Once you log into the Wi-Fi menu, you'll see a list of available networks and your current connection. If the hotspot is active, there'll be a gear icon or arrow next to the network name. Click on your network name or the information icon (i) to open the detailed menu. Here, in the Password field, data can be hidden with asterisks. However, if the Android version allows, there'll be a Show button or an eye icon next to it.
⚠️ Note: Some older versions MIUI (up to 12) the password viewing function may not be available in plain form for security reasons, in which case the system will require input PIN-If you don't have a visual password, you can use a screen unlock code or a fingerprint to verify the identity of the owner. QR-This is the second step of the standard method, which we'll look at in more detail in the next section. QR-The code is the key to getting the text version of the password. QR-Code for obtaining a password Technology QR-The code has become the de facto standard for fast Wi-Fi data transfer. On Xiaomi smartphones, this tool is built directly into the access point menu. When you create an image to be scanned by another device, all the necessary information is encrypted in the code, including the information that is needed. SSID security key. To use this method, follow the following steps: 📱 Open your Wi-Fi settings and click on the active access point. 🔍 Select the “Share” option or icon QR-screen-corner. 🔐 Pass biometric authorization or enter a pattern lock. 📸 Take a screenshot of the code that appears, or just look at it carefully. QR-You can use small print to write a text password, and if you don't have one, you can use any third-party scanner. QR-If you scan a code, or even a second phone with a camera to read the code, it will show you a line of the form: WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:MyPassword123;;. The characters after P: and before; are your passwords. ⚠️ Be careful when using third-party scanners QR-Some applications may request excessive permissions or attempt to intercept data. Use only proven system tools or known antivirus scanners, which is especially useful when you need to connect a device without a screen, such as a Smart. TV Or a printer where it's hard to type characters, and you just scan the code from the phone screen, and the device automatically connects to the network. 📊 How do you connect new devices to Wi-Fi?Manually enter passwordScanning QR-codeUse NFCThrough WPS Google’s ecosystem allows you to synchronize saved Wi-Fi passwords between devices linked to one account. If you previously connected to that access point from another Android smartphone or tablet, the password could be saved in the cloud. This is true for owners using multiple Android gadgets. To check, go to Google's settings on your device. Find the Autocomplete section → Autocomplete by Google → Passwords. You can also use a direct browser to passwords.google.com, which stores all your digital identity. In the list of stored data, find the name of your Wi-Fi network (SSID). When you click on it, the system will ask you to confirm your identity (Face) ID, If you have a successful authentication, you will see the username and password in plain form, the "Show" button will make the characters readable. It's a universal way that works regardless of the version. MIUI. The advantage of this method is that it allows you to restore access even if the phone that created the access point was reset to the factory settings, the main thing is that the synchronization is enabled in advance. This is part of Google’s Password Manager strategy to make life easier for users. If you do not see a password in your Google account, check if password synchronization was enabled at the time of connection to the network. Data may not be saved if the network has been marked as “Metro” (limit) or if corporate security certificates have been used.> Use of the ADB For users who are not afraid of the command line and want to access system configuration files, there is a method using Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method does not require Root rights, but requires the inclusion of debugging on the USB It's a professional tool for working with Android. OS. The essence of the method is to extract the file wpa_supplicant.conf or use of special or special ADB-commands to output saved networks. However, starting with Android 10 And above, access to these files for applications and debugging bridges is severely restricted for cybersecurity purposes. MIUI It's still working. The sequence is this: Turn on debugging. USB In the Developer menu, connect your phone to your PC and install the drivers. ADB. Run a command to back up Wi-Fi settings. adb backup -f wifi.ab -noapk com.android.providers.settings After creating a backup, it must be converted to a readable format (tar), and then extracted. XML-You need to look inside the file for the PreSharedKey tag, which contains the password you want. If the system requests confirmation on your phone screen, you need to click "Allow". ⚠️ Attention: Method C ADB It may not work on devices with an updated Android security system 13/14 and the new HyperOS. In such cases, the system blocks access to the password store even through the debugging bridge without the presence of Root-rights. ☑️ Preparation for work with ADBInstall drivers ADB on PCW, turn on debugging USBAllow access on the phone screen Prepare a text editor: 0 / 4 Third-party apps and their limitations: There are many apps in the Play Market that promise to show saved Wi-Fi passwords in one click, but it is important to understand the technical limitations of today's mobile operating system. 9 (Pie, Google has closed the direct access of apps to a file with passwords without SuperUser (Root) permissions, which means that most "password" scanner apps actually just show you QR-Your current network code (using system code) API), which you could have obtained yourself. Rootless apps can't read saved passwords from networks you're not connected to right now. This is a fundamental limitation of the Android sandbox. If your device has Root rights (obtained through Magisk or similar utilities), then apps like WiFi Password Viewer or Root Explorer become really useful. They can read the system configuration file and list all the password networks ever used. Access Type Root Opportunities System Risk (QR) Not required Only current network Minimum Google Account Not required All synchronized networks Depends on ADB Cloud Method Potentially all networks Difficulty not needed, Root application locks Mandatory Full access to all data Warranty loss, security Root rights open the door to full control of the device, but also makes the smartphone vulnerable to malware. Bank applications may stop working, and warranty from the manufacturer will be canceled. Weigh all risks before tampering. Restoring access via a root application is required, Root rights are lost from a mobile device, or the last option is not created from the device, or the device, or the device is used. In the case of a mobile hotspot on Xiaomi, this means resetting the network settings. When the hotspot is reset on the phone, the password will return to the standard value specified in the manual or on the sticker under the battery (if the device is removable), or become empty / standard. For fixed routers, a combination of numbers from MAC-Addresses or the word "admin." To reset the access point settings on Xiaomi: 🔄 Go to Settings. → Connection and sharing. 📡 Select the Wi-Fi Access Point. ⚙️ Click on Setting up the Wi-Fi Access Point. 🗑️ Find the Reset button or simply change your password to a new one you know, and once you change your password, all previously connected devices will shut down, and you will have to re-enter a new key on each of them, ensuring that only authorized users will have access to your network. It is an extreme but effective measure of protecting your network perimeter. 💡The fastest way to find out the password on modern Xiaomi is scanning. QR-The code is in the Wi-Fi settings, followed by a text string or using a second phone to decrypt. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Can I get a password from someone else's Wi-Fi network if I've been connected to it? Not if you don't have physical access to the owner's device that saved that password, or if the password isn't synced to your Google account. Android security prevents apps and users from reading passwords of other networks without Root rights. MIUI Google and Xiaomi periodically change security policies. In some versions, the display of the password in plain text was replaced solely by generation. QR-This is done to prevent "shoulder surfing" in public places. Does the method work with QR-code on all Redmi models and POCO? Yes, the generation function QR-The access point code is stitched into the standard Android shell and is available on all models starting with Android 10. The interface may look a little different, but the logic remains the same: the Wi-Fi settings -> click -> QR-Is it safe to save Wi-Fi passwords in Google Account? Yes, the data in Google Account is encrypted during transmission and storage. However, if your account is hacked, an attacker will gain access to all the stored networks (2FA) account-protection.