When you need to connect a new gadget, smart lamp or laptop to your home network, but the password itself is forgotten, it is common. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones are often confused, believing that access to stored data is locked up dead, but the modern shell MIUI and the Android operating system provide users with enough tools to solve this problem without having to climb into the settings of the router.
There are several proven ways to extract a forgotten combination of characters, and the choice of method depends on the version of the installed firmware and the availability of superuser rights. In most cases, you do not even need to install dubious applications from third-party sources, since the system functionality allows you to do this with regular means.
The following sections of the article will detail the technical details of each method, explain the differences between Android versions and help avoid typical errors. You will learn not only to read data, but also to correctly transfer it to other devices using built-in security mechanisms of the system.
Use of the public access function through QR-code
The easiest and safest way to access Android 10 and above devices, including current versions MIUI HyperOS, which is based on a built-in generator QR-This method doesn't require any advanced access rights, and it works instantly, and you just have to open your wireless settings, choose an active connection, and click on the Share button or the image icon. QR-code.
Once you click on the screen, you'll see graphical code that other devices can scan with the camera to automatically connect. However, we're interested in the textual information hidden inside this image. Many Xiaomi smartphones display the password directly below the image. QR-If the text is hidden, the system will suggest taking a screenshot or using a built-in scanner.
In some cases, the password text is not immediately visible, and then you need to take a screenshot of the screen with the code. After that, open the Gallery app, select the picture taken, and click on the "More" or "Recognize text" button. The system uses the built-in OCR engine to analyze the image and highlight the text string, which will contain the desired combination of characters.
What if the scanner can’t see the text?
Viewing through the router settings in the browser
If the phone is connected to the network, but see the password through QR-For some reason, you can't use the router's web interface, and because your device already has access to the LAN, you can log into the router's control panel using a standard gateway. To do this, you must enter the browser address bar (Chrome, Mi Browser) IP-The gateway address, which most often looks like 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1.
You need a login and a password to log in to the admin panel. If you've never changed this, it's on a sticker at the bottom of the router itself. In today's TP-Link, Keenetic, or Asus models, the password to log in to the settings can match your WiFi password, or be set by you earlier when you first set up the hardware.
Once you've successfully logged in, you'll need to find the wireless section, which can be called Wireless, WLAN, WiFi Settings, or Wireless Mode. Inside this section, look for the Password, Security Key, or WPA/WPA2-Personal. Often the default characters are hidden with asterisks, but next to the input box, there's a Show Password checkbox or an eye icon that will open a text bar.
⚠️ Note: When you log in to the router settings via the mobile Internet (disabling WiFi), you will not be able to get to the authorization page, since the phone and router must be on the same local network.
Method using Root rights and file managers
Advanced users whose devices have an unlocked bootloader and installed superuser (Root) rights are given access to system configuration files. In the Android operating system, all stored networks and their encryption keys are stored in a special storage system. XML-To access it, you'll need a Root-enabled file manager, like Root Explorer, MT Manager or Solid Explorer.
After granting the application the rights of the superuser, it is necessary to proceed along the way. /data/misc/wifi/. In this directory is a file with a name. wpa_supplicant.conf (It's the complete history of all connections. If you open this file with a text editor, you'll see a list of networks (ssid) and their corresponding passwords in the psk field.
This method is the most reliable for older versions of Android, where sharing features have not yet been implemented. However, it is worth remembering that obtaining Root rights voids the warranty on the Xiaomi device and can disrupt some banking applications if you do not use special hideouts.
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Always back up your system files before editing them. An error in the syntax of the configuration file can cause the WiFi module to stop working properly before resetting.
Synchronizing passwords through Google account
Google's ecosystem offers a convenient mechanism for syncing saved WiFi passwords between all devices linked to one account. If you previously connected to the desired network from another Android phone or tablet, the password could automatically be saved to the cloud, and you can check this by going to Google settings on any device or through the web version of your account.
On Xiaomi device, go to Settings → Google → Self-contained filling → Google passwords. Here you'll find a list of all the credentials you've saved. Search the name of your WiFi network in the list. When you click on it, the system will request biometric authorization (a fingerprint or Face). ID) or PIN-screen-lock.
Once you have your identity verified, you will see your username and password in plain form, which is especially useful because it allows you to find your password even on a phone that is not currently connected to the network but has access to the Internet and a Google account.
Comparison of Access Restoration Methods
The choice of the specific method depends on your technical training, the version of the operating system and the availability of administrator rights on the device. Below is a table that will help you quickly navigate and choose the best option for your situation with a Xiaomi or Redmi device.
| Method | Necessary rights | Difficulty | Security |
|---|---|---|---|
| QR-code (MIUI/Android 10+) | No. | Low. | Tall. |
| Router web interface | Access to adminka | Medium | Tall. |
| File. wpa_supplicant.conf | Root (Superuser) | Tall. | Medium |
| Google Passwords | Google account | Low. | Tall. |
As you can see from the table, for most users, the optimal solution is to use the standard MIUI functionality. The method with Root rights should be considered only as a last resort for very old devices where other methods do not work or are implemented with restrictions.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I find out the WiFi password if my phone is not connected to it?
Why is it under QR-The code does not display the password text?
Is it safe to use WiFi hacking apps?
What to do if the password from the router admin panel is forgotten?
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The fastest way for modern Xiaomi is to scan. QR-code in WiFi settings that is generated automatically by the system for each stored network.
⚠️ Warning: Never share passwords from your WiFi network with outsiders, and do not connect to suspicious open networks with similar names created by fraudsters to steal data (Evil Twin method).
In conclusion, it is worth noting that the Android operating system is becoming more user friendly, providing convenient tools for managing network connections. Xiaomi smartphone owners rarely have to resort to complex technical tricks, since the standard MIUI functionality is quite enough for everyday tasks.