In an era of widespread wireless use, Wi-Fi access is critical for work and leisure. Often, you need to connect a new gadget, but the password from the network to which your smartphone is already connected is lost or forgotten. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices can solve this problem with the usual tools of the operating system without resorting to complex manipulations.
Modern versions of the shell MIUI HyperOS has a built-in function of data exchange through QR-This not only allows you to share access quickly with guests, but also visually see the stored security key. Previously, this required obtaining superuser rights or using third-party applications, which carried risks to data security, but now the process has become as transparent as possible.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm for viewing the password, consider alternative methods through the router and answer frequently asked questions. You will learn how to secure your network and what to do if standard methods do not work. QR-The code on Xiaomi contains a password in plain text after the prefix P:, which makes it easy to read even without special scanners.
Use of the function QR-code in the Wi-Fi settings
The easiest and safest way to see a saved password is to use a built-in generator. QR-This feature is available on all current Xiaomi smartphones with Android 10 and up. You do not need to install dubious apps from the Play Market, which often contain ads or malicious code.
To start, you need to go to the wireless settings menu, and find Settings → Wi-Fi and click on the name of the network you are currently connected to, and the screen will open a card with connection information, where the square barcode will be located, and that's where the authorization data is encrypted.
Android hides password symbols with asterisks for security reasons, but when you click on an eye icon or copy data, they can show up. However, if you just look at the code, you can't see the text. Here comes a second smartphone with a camera or a screenshot.
- 📱 Take a screenshot of the screen with QR-code by clamping the volume and power buttons at the same time or swiping with three fingers.
- 🔍 Open the Camera or Scanner app in the system and hover the lens over the screenshot taken in the gallery.
- 📝 The system recognizes the text and will give a line where after the symbol P: the desired password will be specified.
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If you don’t have a second phone, use the built-in scanner in the Security app or Google Lens, launching them straight from the gallery after you take a screenshot.
It is important to note that on some versions of the firmware when pressed on QR-The password can be copied to the clipboard or displayed as a text notification. Check the notification area after the code is generated. If it appears, "Password copied," just paste it into any text field to see the combination of characters.
Viewing the password through the router settings
If the method QR-If you have code that's not available for some reason, or if your smartphone screen is broken, you can use the alternative router control panel, and because your phone is already connected to the network, it has permission to access the local router interface. This is a universal method that works on any device.
You need to know to enter the settings IP-The gateway address is usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. The exact address can be found in the Wi-Fi connection card on your phone: click on the arrow next to the network name, and the "Gateway" or "Router" line will indicate the desired IP.
Type this address into the browser address bar (Chrome, Mi Browser). The router authorization page will open, you will need the username and administrator password. By default, these are often listed on the sticker at the bottom of the router itself (standard pairs: admin/admin or admin/password).
Once you've successfully logged in, find the wireless section, which can be called Wireless, Wi-Fi Settings, or Wireless Mode. In the Wireless Security or Wireless Mode Protection subsections, the PSK Password field will display your current password, and you can change it to a more complex one, or you can simply rewrite it.
Using applications to restore access
In cases where standard Android features are limited by the manufacturer (which is rare on global versions of MIUI, but happens on Chinese firmware), users turn to third-party software. App stores are crowded with password recovery utilities, but their effectiveness and security vary greatly.
Most of these applications do not work by hacking, but by reading system configuration files, where Android stores data on all networks ever used. Access to these files often requires Root rights, obtaining which is insecure and can disrupt the operation of banking applications.
However, there are programs that work without superuser rights using Accessibility. API They can read data from a screen or clipboard, and they can automate the process of creating. QR-code or copy data from system logs.
- 🛡️ WiFi Password Viewer is a popular application that requires Root for full functionality, but has basic features.
- 🔑 WiFi Key Recovery is a utility specializing in extracting saved keys from a system database.
- 📡 WiFi Analyzer – More suitable for signal analysis, but some versions have features to view connection details.
⚠️ Warning: When downloading password recovery apps, check permissions carefully. Many require access to contacts and geolocation, which is not necessary to work with Wi-Fi and can be a sign of spyware.
Using these programs should be a conscious step, if you have the opportunity to use a regular one. QR-If you code or log in to the router, it is better not to install additional software, this will reduce the risk of personal data leakage and the appearance of intrusive advertising in the system.
Resetting router settings as a last resort
If none of the software methods worked, or you forgot the password from the router's admin panel, the radical but effective method remains: a complete reset of the device to factory settings, which will return the router to the "out of the box" state, including the standard Wi-Fi password.
On the router case, find a small hole that says Reset or Default. Take a paper clip or a needle, press a button inside the hole and hold it for about 10-15 seconds until the indicators blink at the same time. After rebooting, the network will be called as indicated on the sticker, and the password will also return to the factory one.
After that, you'll have to reconfigure the router, enter the username and password from the provider, specify the network name and come up with a new, strong password, which will take time, but it is guaranteed to solve the access problem.
| Parameter | Before dumping. | After discharge |
|---|---|---|
| Network name (SSID) | Any (invented by you) | Factory (from sticker) |
| Wi-Fi password | Factory (from the sticker) | |
| IP-address | Could be changed. | 192.168.0.1 or 1.1 |
| Provider settings | Save. | Removed (must be re-entered) |
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Resetting the router removes all user settings, including the ISP's PPPoE/L2TP settings. Make sure you have a contract with the ISP on hand to restore network access.
Typical problems and ways to solve them
Despite the simplicity of the methods described, users may encounter technical nuances, such as some custom firmware or older versions of Android. QR-There are also times when the system does not allow you to copy the password due to the security policy of the enterprise (if the phone is corporate).
If QR-You don't generate the code, you try to reboot your smartphone, and often it solves temporary system service failures. MIUI. If the problem is in the router and it does not open the settings page, check if the phone is turned on mobile Internet – sometimes the browser tries to open the authorization page through an external network, rather than a local one.
If your phone is writing “Authentication Error” when you connect, even though the password seems to be correct, try changing the encryption type on the router. Switching from WPA3 to WPA2/WPA Mixed often solves compatibility problems with older devices.
What to do if you forget the password from the router admin?
Another common problem is sticking in your network settings, so if your phone sees the network but doesn't connect, try the Wi-Fi menu to select "Forget this network" and reconnect by manually entering your password, which will clear the connection cache.
Security measures for wireless network
Once you've regained access to the network, it's important to think about protecting it, because a weak password is an open door for attackers who can use your Internet to do illegal things or intercept traffic.
Use complex character combinations that include different case letters, numbers, and special signs. Avoid obvious dates, names, or sequences like 12345678.
- 🔒 Change your Wi-Fi password regularly, especially if you have a lot of guests.
- 🚫 Turn off the function. WPS on the router, as it is a vulnerability to hacking.
- 👀 Turn on the cover-up. SSID, If you want the network not to appear in the list available from neighbors.
⚠️ Warning: Never share your Wi-Fi password in public chat rooms or forums.Even a guest network must be protected to prevent access to local devices such as smart cameras or printers.
These simple rules will allow you to surf the Internet without fear, and remember that data security in today's world begins with securing the point of entry.