The modern rhythm of life dictates its rules, and often we connect to wireless networks at a guest, office or cafe, forgetting complex combinations of characters. When you need to connect a laptop, printer or guest, and the router is in an inaccessible place, the question arises: how quickly to restore access? Smartphone owners Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco are in a better position thanks to the shell MIUI, which allows you to see the saved key directly in the settings.
However, the viewing method can vary significantly depending on the version of the Android operating system and the interface modification. MIUI This was done through hidden menus, then modern Android 10, 11, 12 and later implemented the native generation function. QR-It's this code that contains encrypted network information, including a password that can be easily decoded. In this article, we'll go through all the current ways, from standard settings to advanced methods for power users.
It is worth noting right away that data security is a priority, so the system limits direct text viewing in some scenarios without proof of identity. PIN-A code, pattern lock or fingerprint is a standard procedure to protect against unauthorized access to your network data by third parties.
Standard method through QR-modern-version MIUI
The simplest and most common way, which works on the vast majority of current Xiaomi smartphones, is based on the Share function. Android system since version 10 allows you to generate a visual access key. You do not need third-party apps or root rights. Just go to the Wi-Fi settings, find the desired network and click on the icon (share).
After clicking on the screen will appear large QR-It's usually in small print, and it says, "Password: [your password]." If you see it right away, you've solved it. MIUI Global or China ROM The text can be hidden for security reasons. QR-The code is a storage medium. You can take a screenshot of the screen or use a second phone with a camera and a reading app. QR, see data.
It's important to understand that this method only works if your phone is already connected to the network or has been connected before and the data is stored in memory. If the network is removed from the known list, you can't restore the password this way. Also make sure that you have Wi-Fi enabled, otherwise the menu may not be available.
β οΈ Note: Do not send screenshots from QR-Anyone who counts this code will be able to automatically connect to your network without entering a password, gaining access to local resources.
Use of the scanner QR-code-decryption
If under the image QR-If you don't have a password written in text, you have to decode it. Xiaomi's built-in camera can often read those codes, but sometimes it just offers to connect without showing the charactersΒ».
Take a screenshot of the screen with QR-Then open the gallery, select an image, and click on the "More" button or the Google Lens icon, and the system will analyze the image and output a text string, which will contain the full network information in the format of: WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:MyPassword;;;. The code is located after the symbol P: and before the double colon.
The alternative is to use specialized scanner apps from Google Play that allow you to upload an image from a gallery and instantly display content, especially for older models where the image analyzer system may not work properly or is missing.
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Use the built-in Scanner app in the Tools folder on Xiaomi. It often runs faster than third-party counterparts and doesnβt require additional software installation.
Viewing saved networks through the file system (requires Root)
Root users can access system configuration files, the most direct method of seeing the passwords of every network ever saved, even those that the phone is not currently connected to, but it requires caution and SuperSU or Magisk permissions.
You will need a file manager with root access support, such as Root Explorer, ES Explorer (older versions) or MiXplorer. Once the rights are granted, you must go along the path: /data/misc/wifi/. This directory contains a file. wpa_supplicant.conf. It is in it that all data on wireless connections are stored in an open form.
Open this file with any text editor, and you'll see blocks of code where ssid is the network name and psk is the password you want. Be very careful when you're working in system folders, because randomly changing other parameters can cause the communication module to work in an unstable way.
network={
ssid="Home_WiFi"
psk="ComplexPassword123"
key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
}What to do if the file is not opened?
Using ADB to extract data without Root
If root rights are not available, but you have a computer and minimal command-line skills, you can use the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) debugging bridge, which allows you to pull out a configuration file without the need for rooting, but on modern versions of Android (10+), it may require additional manipulation with permissions.
First, activate the developer mode on the Xiaomi phone. To do this, seven times click on the build number in the About Phone section. Then, in the Developer menu, turn on USB Debugging. Connect your smartphone to your PC and install ADB drivers. In the computer command line, enter the command to check the connection: adb devices.
The adb pull command is used to extract the configuration file. However, due to Android security limitations, direct access to the configuration file is available. /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf without root can be closed, in which case copy the file to the time buffer zone, if the firmware version allows, or use specialized scripts that exploit vulnerabilities in specific versions of Android.
βοΈ Preparation for work with ADB
Comparison of Access Restoration Methods
The best way to choose depends on your technical background, the version of the operating system and the availability of additional tools. Below is a table that will help determine the method that is suitable for your situation.
| Method | I need a Root. | Difficulty | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| QR-code (MIUI) | No. | Low. | Android 10+ |
| File. wpa_supplicant | Yes. | Medium | All versions. |
| ADB Console | No. | Tall. | Depends on the version. |
| Third-party annexes | Often. | Low. | Limited. |
As can be seen from the table, for the average user the most relevant method is the QR-It doesn't require any intervention in the system, and it works out of the box. ADB They are designed for enthusiasts or system administrators who need to manage configurations en masse.
β οΈ Warning: Installing apps from unreliable sources that promise to show root-free passwords on new Android often leads to malware virus infection.
Frequent problems and their solution
Despite the simplicity of the procedures, users may encounter technical difficulties, such as the Share button may be inactive, which often happens if the Wi-Fi module is temporarily glitchy, in which case a simple smartphone reboot or flight mode switch helps.
Another common problem is that you don't have permission to access the file system even if you have root. MIUI It has an aggressive security system, make sure that the security settings allow access to files for your Explorer Β«USB-Debugging, even for internal operations.
If you change routers, but your phone is trying to connect to the old network with the same name (SSID), the password may not work, so you need to forget the network in the Wi-Fi settings and enter the new code again, and the system does not update the password automatically if the access point name remains the same.
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The most reliable way to find out the password is to look it up on the router itself (on the sticker below) or in the administrator web interface if you have access to the cable.
Security measures when working with network data
Knowing where passwords are stored imposes a responsibility. If you have obtained root rights to view a single file, remember that this reduces the overall level of security of the device.
It is recommended that after using file managers with root access, disable these rights or use temporary solutions. QR-In public cloud storage, without encryption, access to the file. wpa_supplicant.conf Gives you full control over all your stored Wi-Fi networks.
Change passwords on your home router regularly, especially if youβve given someone access to the network through a network. QR-This ensures that even if someone copies the data, it will lose relevance after changing the security key.