It is common for owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones to ask where the access keys are stored. Fortunately, the Android operating system allows you to view saved credentials from certain versions, but the procedure may differ depending on the version of the MIUI or HyperOS firmware.
There are several proven methods to restore access to network data, ranging from regular system functions to using third-party software or obtaining super-user rights, and below we will detail how to find the right access code without data loss and complex manipulation.
Use of the function QR-code-in MIUI
The easiest and safest way available on most modern smartphones is to generate power. QR-This method doesn't require you to install additional software or get advanced permissions, but you have to have access to the settings of wireless networks that your phone has already connected to.
To start, you need to go to the Settings menu and select Wi-Fi. In the list of available networks, find the one you want to learn the password from. Next to the active network name, the gear icon or arrow to the right is usually displayed. Click on this interface element.
On the screen with connection details you will see a square QR-The Android system encodes in this image. SSID To read this data, you just need to take a screenshot or point the camera at another device, but Xiaomi phones often have a built-in scanner that immediately shows the password with the text below the image.
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If the password is not displayed under the text QR-code, take a screenshot, then open the Camera or Gallery app, select an image and click Google Lens or Recognise Text".
In some cases, the system may require proof of identity by unlocking the screen with a fingerprint or a pattern lock, a standard security measure that prevents unauthorized access to sensitive information, and once confirmed, the data will be available for viewing.
⚠️ Note: Do not send screenshots from QR-Anybody who scans this image will be able to instantly connect to your network without your knowledge.
View through the system settings of Android 10 and above
Since Android 10, Google has introduced native password viewing in security settings. On Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12, MIUI 13 and later, this functionality is also available, although the path to it can be a little hidden.
Unlike the old method of c QR-In the code, this is the data that is displayed in its pure form. You need to open Settings, then go to Passwords and Security. In some versions of the firmware, this item may be called simply Security or located inside the menu Advanced Settings.
- 📱 Select "Wi-Fi Passwords" or "Saved Networks".
- 🔐 The system will request proof of identity (Face) ID, print PIN-code).
- 📄 In the list that opens, find the desired network and click on it.
- 👁️ Click on the “eyes” icon to see the hidden symbols.
If you don't find one, your version of MIUI may have a specific menu structure, so try searching by settings, type the word "password" or "Wi-Fi" into the search bar at the top of the settings screen, and the system will suggest you go to the desired section.
Importantly, global firmware versions may have different paths than Chinese ones. If the standard route doesn't work, try looking for the Google section in the main settings, then Autocomplete and Google Passwords, which often stores data from wireless networks synchronized with your account.
Use of Google Password Manager
Google's ecosystem offers a single password store that syncs across devices. If your Xiaomi has sync activated, that's where the stored Wi-Fi keys might be, and this is especially true if you've changed phones and moved data.
To access the password manager, go to Settings -> Google -> Autocomplete -> Autocomplete from Google -> Google Passwords. Here you will see a list of all saved credentials, including sites, apps and Wi-Fi networks.
In the list, find the name of your wireless network. Click on it. The system will ask you to confirm that it is you again, using biometrics or an unlock code. Once you have successfully logged in, you will see the network name and a password field that can be copied or copied.
| Access method | Required version of Android | I need a Root. | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| QR-code | Android 10+ | No. | Low. |
| Google Passwords | Any (with Google services) | No. | Low. |
| File. wpa_supplicant | Anybody. | Yes. | Tall. |
| Third-party annexes | Depends on the app. | Often. | Medium |
The advantage of using Google Password Manager is that you can access your password even from another device by logging into your account via a browser on your computer.This is a versatile way, independent of a particular Xiaomi model or MIUI version.
Applications for password recovery
There are many utilities in the Google Play store and alternative directories that promise to show saved passwords, but here lies an important nuance: without Root rights, most of them can not read the system file, where data is stored in encrypted form.
Rootless applications typically use the Accessibility API, which does not hack the system, but reads text from the screen when you open the Wi-Fi settings. Examples of such programs are WiFi Password Viewer or analogues, and their effectiveness depends on the version of the MIUI shell.
Why do apps ask for weird permissions?
If your phone has a superuser (Root) right, the choice of applications is greatly expanded, and programs like the WiFi Password Viewer (Root) get direct access to the system file. wpa_supplicant.conf. They instantly display a list of all networks ever used and their passwords in plain view.
It is worth remembering the security risks when installing third-party software. Granting an application rights to read the screen or access system files can become a vulnerability. The system file with passwords is stored in the /data/misc/wifi/ section, which is closed to ordinary applications without superuser permissions.
- 📲 Download applications only from official sources.
- 🛡️ Check the permissions that the program requests.
- 🗑️ Remove the utilities immediately after use so as not to leave a loophole".
Method with Superuser Rights (Root)
For power users whose devices have an unlocked bootloader and installed Root rights (via Magisk or analogues), the process of obtaining a password becomes trivial.
You’ll need a Root-enabled file manager, such as MT Manager, Root Explorer, or built-in Explorer with Superuser Activated Mode. Once you have Root rights enabled in your file manager settings, go to /data/misc/wifi/.
adb pull /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.confThis directory contains a file. wpa_supplicant.conf (or similar, for example, WifiConfigStore.xml Open it as a text file. Inside you will find blocks called the network, where the psk field will show the desired password in plain form.
⚠️ Note: Making changes to system files without understanding their structure can cause the Wi-Fi module to stop working properly. Edit read-only files if your goal is just to learn the password.
This is universal for all versions of Android, as it accesses the configuration store directly. However, obtaining Root rights on modern Xiaomi smartphones often requires unlocking the bootloader, which leads to a complete reset (Wipe Data).
☑️ Check before receiving Root
Frequent System Problems and Limitations
Users may encounter a situation where none of the methods work, such as the "Share" item or QR-The code is missing, and Google Passwords are empty, often due to restrictions imposed by a manufacturer or carrier on a particular Redmi or Poco model.
The Android version may also be the problem, with very old devices (Android 9 and below) having no password-view features in the interface, and in such cases, Root rights or third-party PC software (ADB) are almost impossible to do.
Another nuance is corporate networks, where if the phone was connected to Wi-Fi through a device administrator profile (MDM), the password may be hidden by the organization's security policies, and then it's not available in standard methods.
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If standard methods don’t work, chances are your version of Android is too old or limited by the manufacturer, in which case the only way out is to reset the router or use a PC.