In today’s world, we often forget the complex combinations of characters we’ve invented to protect our networks, when you need to connect a new gadget or a friend’s laptop and the password from a router is impossible to remember, it’s commonplace. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones are in a better position thanks to the flexibility of the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS, which allows you to easily retrieve this data.
Unlike many other vendors, the Chinese giant has built a feature to view saved access keys directly into the system settings, so you don't have to have superuser rights or install dubious applications from unverified sources, just have access to the main account on the device.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to recover forgotten data, we will look at standard methods for the latest firmware versions, alternatives for older models and analyze the technical nuances of the Wi-Fi module in the Android operating system.
MIUI and HyperOS system capabilities for network management
Since MIUI 10, the company's engineers have introduced a convenient access point management mechanism, and newer versions, such as MIUI 12, 13, 14 and the current HyperOS, have made it even more intuitive, automatically encrypting stored data but providing a legal way for an authorized user to decrypt it.
The main mechanism of work is the generation QR-It's a code that contains all the information you need about the network, and it doesn't just include the name of the network (SSID), But it's also the security key itself, encoded in a string, and the smartphone reads that code as a visual representation of a text string.
It is important to understand that to access this data, the system requires proof of identity, which can be fingerprint unlocking, face scanning or entering a pattern lock, such a data protection measure prevents passwords from being stolen in the event of a device loss.
⚠️ Note: Password viewing may not be available on some custom firmware or global versions for specific regions where strict encryption laws apply.
The interface of settings may vary slightly depending on the screen resolution and the Android version. However, the logic of the operation remains the same for the entire ecosystem. If you use a device with a shell older than the tenth version, you may need to use alternative methods described below.
Step-by-step: viewing through Wi-Fi settings
The easiest and fastest way to find out a forgotten character combination is to use the built-in menu, which doesn't require you to connect to a computer or install additional software. It takes less than a minute to do everything.
You need to get to the wireless connection management menu first, and the path can vary, but the standard algorithm is as follows:
- 📱 Open the Settings app on the home screen or in the notification curtain.
- 📡 Go to the Wi-Fi section (or “Wi-Fi and Internet»).
- 🔗 Click on the name of the network you are currently connected to, or select the network you want from the list of “Saved Networks».
- 👁️ Click on the eye icon or the “Show password” button».
Once you click on the icon, the system will request proof of identity, enter your pin code or put your finger on the scanner, and immediately after successful authentication, a text string with the access key will appear next to the hidden dots.
☑️ Preview check
In some versions of the shell, the text is not displayed immediately, but is generated. QR-In this case, the code is often written in small print under the code, and if there is no code under the code, use the Share function and the system will prompt you to copy the data to the clipboard or send it to the messenger.
Use of the QR-data-code
The function of sharing through QR-It's become the de facto standard in the Android ecosystem, and it's particularly convenient on Xiaomi devices, and when you click on the network in the Wi-Fi menu, it's often a square barcode card that opens.
This code contains a string of the WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:MyPassword;;;. Here MyPassword is the key you want, and the problem is that it's hard to read from the screen, and you can use a second smartphone with a camera or a built-in scanner in the notification curtain.
How to decrypt QR without a second phone?
You can also copy the data directly. Press and hold your finger on the image. QR-If you want to use the code, or find the Copy/Share button, select Copy to Clipboard or Submit to Notes in the menu that opens, and you can easily find the information you want after the words P in text:.
This is especially useful when you need to connect a lot of devices, like at a party or at the office, and guests don't have to dictate complex symbols, just scan the image from your screen.
Alternative methods for older versions of MIUI
Owners of budget models or devices that have stopped receiving updates (for example, based on Android 8 Oreo or 9 Pie) may experience the absence of the “Show password” button, in which case system restrictions do not allow you to view the keys directly through the settings.
However, there is a workaround through the developer menu or using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), but this requires a PC connection. The simpler option is to use cloud sync if it was enabled earlier.
If you have access to a router, you can always reset the network settings on the router itself or look at the sticker on the router's case. Often the factory data (login and password) is listed at the bottom of the device. If the password was changed manually, you have to reset the router with the Reset button.
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Use the Google Lens app right in the camera widget. Point the camera at QR-the network code on the phone screen and the text will appear on top of the image without the need to take a screenshot.
For advanced users, there is the possibility of obtaining Root rights, which gives full access to the file system, where the file is located. /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf All passwords are stored in plain form, but remember that obtaining superuser rights voids the warranty and can disrupt banking applications.
Synchronizing passwords through Google account
Google’s ecosystem offers a powerful tool for saving and synchronizing access keys, and if your Xiaomi has enabled sync with your Google account, all connected networks can automatically be saved to the cloud.
To check this, follow the following steps:
- 🔐 Go to the “Settings” of the smartphone.
- 👤 Select the “Google” section (Account Management).
- 🌐 Go to the tab "Autocomplete» → «Autocomplete by Google».
- 📡 Select "Passwords and keys" or "Wi-Fi».
In the list that opens, you'll see all the networks that a device has ever connected to, and if you click on the one you want, you can see the key you saved after you authenticate again, and this method works even if you've changed your phone but you've used the same account.
The advantage of this is that it's cross-platform, and you can see the password not only on Xiaomi, but also by accessing your Google account settings from any other Android device or browser on your PC, creating a single knowledge base about your connections.
Table: Comparison of recovery methods
To make it easier to choose the best way to deal with your situation, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you quickly determine which method is right for your firmware version and technical level.
| Method | Required version of MIUI | Difficulty | Do I need the Internet? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi settings | MIUI 10 and higher | Low. | No. |
| QR-code | MIUI 10 and higher | Low. | No. |
| Google account | Any (Android 9+) | Medium | Yes. |
| Root rights (ADB) | Anybody. | Tall. | No. |
As you can see from the table, for most users, the best solution is built-in tools, which are time-consuming and safe for the device. Using third-party apps from the Play Market store often fails on new versions of Android due to security limitations.
⚠️ Warning: Be careful of apps that promise to show root-free passwords. Often they are just collectors of personal information who don't have real access to system files.
Frequent problems and their solution
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the browse button is inactive or gray, which can be due to corporate security policies if the phone was configured through work, or due to errors in the system.
In the first case, removing the device administrator profile in the security settings will help. In the second, a banal smartphone reboot or resetting the network settings. Network reset will not delete your personal data (photos, contacts), but will clear all stored Bluetooth pairings and Wi-Fi keys, so use this method only as a last resort.
The way to reset network settings: Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. After this procedure, the phone will be clean in terms of network connections, and you will have to enter passwords again, but you will be able to see them when you enter if you use a password manager.
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If standard methods don’t work, check if your phone has antivirus apps or corporate profiles that block access to system functions.
And the problem with encoding is also worth mentioning. QR-code from a device where the password contains Cyrillic or special characters, some scanners can display Cracosabra.
Security and expert advice
While it's convenient to see a password, it carries risks: Anyone who gets physical access to an unlocked phone will be able to learn the keys to all of your networks, so it's critical to use a reliable method of locking the screen.
It is not recommended to use simple passwords like 12345678 or password. Even if the system allows you to set them, it makes your network vulnerable.
- 🔒 Change your home passwords regularly