Why do you need a Wi-Fi password from your phone?
Have you ever faced a situation where you need to connect a new gadget to your home network, but the password from Wi-Fi has long been forgotten? Or a friend asks to give the Internet, and you do not remember the combination of characters introduced years ago? On Xiaomi Redmi smartphones (including the Redmi Note series, POCO and others), passwords from saved networks are not displayed in plain form - this is a security measure.
In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods for viewing a Wi-Fi password on Xiaomi Redmi without root rights and complex manipulations. Some are suitable for modern versions of MIUI 14/15, others work on old firmware. Importantly, all instructions are relevant for phones with an unlocked bootloader (if you need access to system files).
Before you start, consider that some methods require developer rights or access to the file system. If you are not sure about your actions, use the simplest method: through the use of a file system. QR-code (described in the section below).
Method 1: Viewing the password through QR-code (the easiest way to do it)
If your Xiaomi Redmi is working on MIUI 12 or later, the fastest way to share a Wi-Fi password is to generate a password. QR-This method does not show the password in text form, but allows you to connect another device without manual input.
How to do this:
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Wi-Fi.
- 🔍 Find your network in the list and tap it by its name.
- 🖼️ A share button will appear at the bottom of the screen (or QR-Press it.
- 🔐 The system will request confirmation by fingerprint, PIN-code-key.
- 📲 After confirmation, it will be displayed. QR-Scan it with another device to connect.
⚠️ Note: This method does not show the password itself, but only allows you to connect another device. If you need a text password (for example, to enter on a PC), use the following methods.
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If QR-code is not displayed, update the firmware to the latest version MIUI. In older versions (below). MIUI (12) this function may not be.
Method 2: Using a Wi-Fi configuration file (without root)
On Xiaomi Redmi phones, Wi-Fi passwords are stored in a system file wpa_supplicant.conf. It can be accessed through the built-in file manager or ADB (without the need for root rights).
Instructions for MIUI 13/14/15:
- 🔧 Enable Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About the phone, tap 7 times on the version MIUI, until you have been notified you have become a developer!.
USB-debugging
- Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
- Turn on the debugging switch over USB.
- 🖥️ Connect your phone to your PC and use it. ADB (Android Debug Bridge): adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml In the resulting file, find a line <string name="PreSharedKey">"Password"</string>.
⚠️ Attention: Starting with MIUI 14, the path to the configuration file may be different. If the command is not working, try:
adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStoreSoftAp.xmlWhat if the ADB can’t see the device?
Method 3: View through the Files app (only for older versions of MIUI)
On Xiaomi Redmi smartphones with MIUI 11 and below (e.g. Redmi 8, Redmi Note 7), passwords could be viewed through the standard Files app, which has been discontinued in newer versions due to tighter security.
If you have an old firmware, try:
- 📂 Open the Files app (or any file manager with access to the root folder).
- 🔍 Cross the path: /data/misc/wifi/ and find the file. wpa_supplicant.conf.
- 📄 Open the file with a text editor (e.g. QuickEdit).
- 🔐 Find the block with the name of your network (ssid)="NAZVANIE_SETI") — next to the psk line="Password".
Starting with MIUI 12, access to this file is blocked without root permissions. If you have a new firmware version, use the ADB method or specialized applications.
Enable Developer Mode |Install root-access file manager (if required) | Download text editor (e.g. QuickEdit) | Backup important data
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Method 4: Apps for viewing Wi-Fi passwords
There are apps on Google Play that can extract saved Wi-Fi passwords. They don't work on all devices, but for Xiaomi Redmi with the unlocked bootloader, the odds are high.
| Annex | Need root? | Works for MIUI? | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi Password Viewer | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes (partially) | Download |
| WiFi Key Recovery | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | Download |
| WiFi Password (Root) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | Download |
⚠️ Note: WiFi Password Viewer applications often only show passwords for networks connected manually (not through a network). WPS or QR-If the password is not displayed, try reconnecting to the network again.
For root applications (WiFi Key Recovery) you need:
- 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (official instructions Xiaomi).
- 📱 Install Magisk for root rights management.
- 🔒 Provide the application with access to a super user.
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Rootless applications only run on firmware below MIUI 12. Newer versions require ADB or root.
Method 5: Router reset (extreme case)
If none of these methods worked, and Wi-Fi access is critical, you have to reset your router, and that will return the factory password that you normally have on your device sticker.
How to reset your router:
- 🔌 Find the Reset button on the back of the router (usually recessed in the case).
- 📍 Take a paper clip or toothpick, press and hold the button for 10-15 seconds.
- 🔄 Wait for the reboot (all indicators will light up).
- 📋 The default password is on the router sticker (e.g. admin or 8-digit combination).
⚠️ Warning: Resetting the router will disconnect all users from the network and return the factory settings, after which you will have to configure the Wi-Fi again (network name, password, channel, etc.).
If the router was issued by the provider (for example, Rostelecom, Beeline), the factory password may not work - contact support to get a new one.
Comparison of methods: which one to choose?
To make it easier for you to determine, we have collected the advantages and disadvantages of each method in one table:
| Method | Difficulty | Need root? | Works on MIUI 14/15? | Does it show the password in the text? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QR-code | ⭐ (easiest) | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. Only connection) |
| ADB (wpa_supplicant.conf) | ⭐⭐⭐ | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes (the path may be different) | ✅ Yes. |
| File manager | ⭐⭐ | ❌ No, nah. MIUI 11 and below) | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. |
| Applications without root | ⭐⭐ | ❌ No. | ❌ No, only. MIUI 11 and below) | ✅ Yes. |
| root-based applications | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
| Router reset | ⭐⭐ (uncomfortable) | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes (factory password) |
For most users of Xiaomi Redmi the best option is the method with the ADB (if you need a text password, or QR-code (if you just connect another device) apps without root will only suit owners of older smartphones.