The situation when you need to connect a new device to the home network, and the password from the Wi-Fi is completely forgotten, is very common. MIUI, It's a system that allows you to learn stored keys without any third-party software or complex manipulation, and it's possible with built-in security and generation. QR-codes that hide all the necessary information.
Unlike many other manufacturers, the Chinese brand gives users direct access to data about connected networks. IT-technology or have superuser rights (Root) to cope with this task. MIUI The 12, 13, 14 and the latest HyperOS have preserved and even improved this functionality, making the process as intuitive as possible.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to restore access: from a simple scan. QR-We'll also discuss security issues through router settings, how to secure your network and what to do if standard methods fail.
A simple way through QR-code
The fastest and most reliable method to use a forgotten key is to use the built-in generation function. QR-This option came in the shell. MIUI It has long been the standard for all current models, whether it is a budget Redmi Note or flagship Xiaomi 14. First you need to unlock the smartphone and go to the main settings menu.
Find the wireless connection section, depending on the firmware version, it can be simply called "Wi-Fi" or it can be inside the Connection and Sharing category. Once you log in, you'll see a list of available networks, where your current connection will be labeled with an icon or "Connected." That's where the information we need is hidden.
- 📱 Click on the active network name or the arrow to the right of it to open the connection details.
- 📷 In the window that opens, find the “Share” button or icon QR-code, usually located at the bottom of the screen.
- 🔐 The system will ask to confirm the identity by unlocking the screen, fingerprint or Face ID.
After successful authorization on the screen will appear QR-A code that contains encrypted data to connect to, and under that code, usually in fine print, the password itself is written in plain text, and if the text is too small or can't be seen because of the subject matter, take a screenshot of the screen. Then open the image in the gallery and use the "Recognize text" function or just take a close look - often the password can be read even without zooming in.
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If under QR-code the password is not displayed in the text, take a screenshot and open it in the Google Lens or Yandex.Search with pictures – they instantly recognize and copy the text from the image.
It's important to understand that this only works on the network that your phone is currently connected to, so if you're trying to remember the password from a network you connected to a month ago, but you're in a different place now, it's not going to work, so you're going to have to use different methods or reset your router.
Using a code scanner to decrypt
Sometimes it happens that under QR-The password is not displayed in text or interface MIUI It has a bug that hides the symbols, and in this case, any third-party scanner comes to the rescue. QR-The principle of operation is based on the fact that the standard code format for Wi-Fi contains a certain type of string that is easy to decipher.
Hover the camera of any other device or scanner app (such as the one built into MIUI or Google Camera) over the code displayed on your Xiaomi screen. Instead of immediately connecting, the scanner will show a text string of data. It will look something like this: WIFI:T:WPA;S:MyNetworkName;P:MySecretPassword;;;;;;;. Here we are interested in the part after the P: character — this is your forgotten password.
It's worth noting that the string format may vary slightly depending on the type of encryption, but the structure remains similar. The letter S stands for the network name (SSID), and P stands for the password (Password). If there are two semicolons in a row after P: it means that the password is empty and the network is open, which is rare for home connections.
What if the scanner doesn’t read the code?
This is a universal method that works on all versions of Android, as it does not depend on the specific interface modification by the manufacturer, the main thing is to have a second device on hand or be able to use a camera with text recognition, this is especially true for older models of Redmi or Poco, where the interface may be different.
Checking through the synchronization menu of Mi Cloud
Xiaomi’s ecosystem offers a convenient Wi-Fi sync feature through your Mi Cloud account. If you have this option enabled on your device, passwords from all networks you’ve ever connected to are stored in the cloud, which not only allows you to restore access to your current phone, but also automatically connect other devices that are part of the Xiaomi ecosystem under the same account to the Internet.
To check for stored data, you need to log into your account settings. Go to Settings → Mi Account. Here you should find the item related to data synchronization. Make sure that the switch opposite the Wi-Fi item is active. If synchronization was enabled earlier, your data has already been uploaded to the company's servers.
- ☁️ Go to the official website of the Mi Cloud cloud service via a browser on a computer or other phone.
- 🔑 Sign in using the same Mi Account as on the smartphone where the password was forgotten.
- 📂 From the menu, select the "Wi-Fi" or "Settings" section, where a list of saved networks can be displayed.
Unfortunately, direct password browsing through the Mi Cloud web interface is often limited by security policies and may not be available in some regions or firmware versions.However, if you have a second Xiaomi phone, just log in to it under your account. When Wi-Fi is enabled, the device will automatically pull up saved passwords from the cloud, and you can see them through the cloud. QR-code as described in the first section.
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Syncing through Mi Cloud is the best way to have a backup of all passwords, but it requires pre-setting and having a second Xiaomi device to view the data.
Keep in mind that this method requires the Internet to log in to your account, which creates a vicious circle if there is no Wi-Fi and mobile traffic is not available. USB-A modem from a computer for initial access to the cloud.
Entrance to the router control panel
If the software methods on the phone failed, you can try to find the password through the settings of the router itself. This method requires that your Xiaomi phone be connected to a Wi-Fi network (even without Internet access), or connected to the router via a cable (if there is an adapter). USB-OTG). You'll need to know. IP-Gateway address, which is usually listed on the sticker below the device.
Open your browser on your smartphone and enter the router address in the address bar. Most often it is 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. Once you enter the address, the system will ask for a login and password to log into the admin panel. By default, this is often admin / admin, but if you have changed this data before and forgot it, this method also will not work without resetting the router.
Once you have successfully logged in, the interface will depend on the router manufacturer (TP-Link, D-Link, ASUS, Keenetic). You need to find the section associated with the wireless network. Look for tabs with the names "Wireless", "Wi-Fi", "Wireless Mode" or "WLAN Settings." Inside this section is usually the "Password", "Security Key" or "Password" field, where characters can be hidden with asterisks.
| Router manufacturer | Typical entrance address | Password path (example) | Standard login |
|---|---|---|---|
| TP-Link | 192.168.0.1 | Wireless → Wireless Security | admin |
| D-Link | 192.168.0.1 | Wi-Fi → Security settings | admin |
| ASUS | 192.168.1.1 | Wireless network → WPS | admin |
| Keenetic | 192.168.1.1 | Home network → Wi-Fi network | admin |
| Xiaomi Router | 192.168.31.1 | Wi-Fi settings | admin |
Some modern routers have a "Show Password" button that removes the character masking, and if you don't have one, and your browser doesn't allow you to edit the input field, you can try using a code inspector on the desktop version of your browser, but on a mobile phone it's hard to do that, so you only have to change the password to a new one that you remember.
Resetting router settings as a last resort
When none of these things worked, and you don't remember the Wi-Fi password or the login data, the last radical thing that you do is you completely reset the device to factory settings, and that action will put the router back out of the box by restoring the password on the sticker on the case.
On the back of the router, find a small hole that says Reset or WPS/Reset. There's usually a recessed button inside, so to activate the reset, take a paper clip, a toothpick, or a needle. Press the button and hold it for a while. 10-15 The indicators on the front panel should blink or go out, which signals the beginning of the reboot process.
⚠️ Warning: Once reset, all your personal settings will be deleted! this includes the network name (SSID), Password, PPPoE settings (login and password from the provider) and settings IPTV. If you do not know the settings for the Internet connection that your provider provides, you can be left without communication until the arrival of the wizard.
Once the router reboots, connect to it using sticker data (usually the network will be open or have a standard name). Then be sure to go to the control panel and set new, strong passwords. Don't leave the router with factory settings, as they are common knowledge and easy to pick up by attackers.
This method guarantees 100% results, but it takes time to reconfigure all the equipment in the house. Smart lamps, sockets, TVs and consoles will have to be reconnected, so use this method only when other options are exhausted.
Security measures and password retention
The persistent situation with forgotten passwords suggests a need for a more robust system for storing them. Relying on human memory in the digital age is not a good strategy, and it is recommended to use password managers such as Google Password Manager, Bitwarden or built-in Mi Password storage.
These apps not only store complex character combinations, but also automatically fill them in when you connect to new networks, and they sync across all your devices, so if you lose your phone, you can restore passwords through the cloud on your tablet or computer.
- 🔒 Use complex passwords at least 12 characters long, including letters of different registers, numbers and special characters.
- 💾 Regularly back up your phone settings and important data to the cloud.
- 📝 Write down critical passwords (from router and admin) on paper and store them in a safe place.
Also, keep in mind the guest network, if you have frequent friends, create a separate guest Wi-Fi network for them in your router settings, which will keep your primary password off the table and keep your personal devices safe from potential access by guests, and you can set a simple password for the guest network, or even limit your speed and time.
☑️ Wi-Fi security checklist
Regularly checking your network security is a habit that will save you from many problems: periodically check the list of connected customers in the router app or through the Xiaomi interface. If you see an unfamiliar device, immediately change your password and block access.