How to See Saved WiFi Password on Android without root

You’ve connected to your home WiFi a thousand times, but when a friend asks for the password you realize you don’t remember it. Or worse: you need to connect a new device and the password is saved on your phone but you can’t find it anywhere. If you’re wondering how to see saved WiFi password on Android, don’t worry — it can be done, and here are the simplest methods.

Table of contents

How to see WiFi password on Android 10 and above (no root)

Since Android 10, Google included the option to view and share WiFi passwords directly from the system settings. It’s the easiest method and you don’t need root or to install anything.

On stock Android phones (Pixel, Motorola, Nokia…)

1. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Internet (or WiFi).
2. Tap the WiFi network you’re connected to (or any saved network).
3. Tap the “Share” button or the share icon.
4. Verify your identity with your pattern, PIN, or fingerprint.
5. A QR code will appear with the password in plain text below it.

On Samsung phones

1. Go to Settings > Connections > WiFi.
2. Tap the settings icon (gear) next to the connected network.
3. Tap “QR code” or “Share.”
4. Authenticate with your security method.
5. The password appears below the QR code, or tap “Password” to see it.

On Xiaomi phones (MIUI/HyperOS)

1. Go to Settings > WiFi.
2. Tap the connected network or tap “Saved networks.”
3. Select the network and tap “Share.”
4. Authenticate and you’ll see the QR with the password below.

Pro-tip: If you scan the QR code with another Android phone, it will connect to the network automatically without having to type the password. It’s the fastest way to share WiFi between devices.

How to see saved WiFi passwords on older Android versions (no root)

If you’re on Android 9 or below, the process is more limited because the system doesn’t show passwords directly. But there are alternatives.

Using ADB (Android Debug Bridge)

This method works without root but you need a computer:

1. Enable “USB debugging” on your phone (Settings > Developer options > USB debugging).
2. Connect the phone to your PC with a USB cable.
3. Open a terminal on your PC and run:

   adb shell
   su
   cat /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf

4. You’ll see a list of saved networks with their passwords.

Warning: This method requires the device to have root access or to accept the su command from ADB. It won’t work on devices without root.

Using file explorer apps (needs root)

If your device is rooted, apps like Solid Explorer or ES File Explorer can read the wpa_supplicant.conf file directly. Navigate to /data/misc/wifi/ and open the file with a text editor.

How to see WiFi password on Android with root

If your phone has root access, the process is the most straightforward. You have several options.

Method 1: With root file explorer

1. Open a file explorer with root access (Solid Explorer, Root Explorer).
2. Navigate to /data/misc/wifi/ or /data/wifi/.
3. Open the wpa_supplicant.conf file.
4. Look for the network you’re interested in. The password appears next to psk=.

Method 2: With the WiFi Key Recovery app

1. Download WiFi Key Recovery (available in root app repositories).
2. Open the app and grant root permissions.
3. You’ll see a list of all saved WiFi networks with their passwords.

Method 3: From terminal

1. Open a terminal app like Termux.
2. Type: su and accept the root permission.
3. Run: cat /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf
4. You’ll see all networks with their passwords in plain text.

Comparison table of methods by Android version

*ADB may require root depending on the device.

How to export all saved WiFi passwords

If you want to back up all your WiFi passwords at once, there are several ways.

On Android 12+

Google automatically syncs saved WiFi networks with your account. If you set up a new phone with the same Google account, the networks restore automatically (though without showing passwords directly).

With the WiFi Password Recovery app (root)

1. Install the app and grant root permissions.
2. Tap “Export” or “Save.”
3. Save the file in text or CSV format.
4. The file will contain all networks with their passwords.

Manually with ADB

Using the ADB method command, you can redirect the output to a file:

adb shell su -c "cat /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf" > wifi_passwords.txt

Pro-tip: Save that file somewhere secure (a password manager, for example) and don’t leave it lying around in plain text. It contains sensitive network information.

Troubleshooting common WiFi password issues

Things don’t always work on the first try. Here are the problems I’ve encountered most often and how to fix them.

The “Share” button doesn’t appear

This usually happens when your phone isn’t actually connected to the network. Even if the network shows as “saved,” you need to be actively connected for the share option to appear. Connect first and try again.

The password shows as asterisks

Some customization layers (like older versions of MIUI) used to hide the password even after authenticating. If this happens, update your Android version or use the ADB method as an alternative.

The QR code doesn’t work when scanning

Make sure the other device’s camera is clean and there are no reflections. Also verify that the QR code displays fully on screen without being cut off. If the problem persists, copy the password manually instead of using the QR code.

”Can’t read wpa_supplicant.conf file”

If you’re using the ADB method and get a permissions error, your device probably doesn’t have root access. For older Android versions without root, options are limited and you might need to root the device.

How to change a saved WiFi password

Viewing the password is fine, but sometimes what you really need is to change it. Maybe you updated your router password and your phone keeps trying to connect with the old one.

On Android 10+

1. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Internet.
2. Tap the network you want to modify.
3. Tap “Forget” (the trash icon or option in the menu).
4. Search for the network again and connect with the new password.

There’s no way to directly edit a saved password on Android without root. The only option is to forget the network and reconnect.

With root access

If you have root, you can directly edit the wpa_supplicant.conf file:

1. Navigate to /data/misc/wifi/.
2. Open wpa_supplicant.conf with a text editor.
3. Find the network section and modify the value next to psk=.
4. Save the file and restart the device’s WiFi.

Warning: Edit this file carefully. A syntax error can corrupt the device’s WiFi configuration and you’ll have to restore it.

Security tips for WiFi passwords

Viewing and sharing WiFi passwords is useful, but it also carries risks if you’re not careful.

Don’t share your WiFi with strangers

Anyone who connects to your network can, in theory, access devices connected to it. If you share your WiFi at a business or event, consider using a separate guest network.

Change your password periodically

If you’ve shared your password with many people over time (friends, family, neighbors), it’s a good idea to change it every so often. Set a strong password with at least 12 characters.

Use WPA3 if your router supports it

WPA3 is the most recent WiFi security protocol and is significantly more secure than WPA2. If your router is recent, it probably supports it. Check your router settings.

Don’t save public networks

When you connect to public WiFi (coffee shop, airport), Android automatically saves the network. It’s good practice to forget these networks after using them to avoid automatic reconnections on future visits.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Can you see WiFi password without root on Android 9 or below?

It’s very limited. The ADB method may work on some devices, but not all. For Android 9 and below without root, you generally need root to view saved passwords.

Does the password get saved to Google’s cloud?

Google saves WiFi network configuration (name, security type) to the cloud to restore on new devices, but it doesn’t show passwords to the user directly. Passwords are encrypted on Google’s servers.

Can I see the password of a network I’m no longer connected to?

Yes, if the network is saved on your device, you can see its password with any of the methods described. You don’t need to be currently connected to that network.

Is it legal to view a WiFi password?

Viewing the password of your own network or a network you’re authorized to connect to is perfectly legal. What’s not legal is accessing networks without permission.

Conclusion

Knowing how to see saved WiFi password on Android is easier than it seems, especially if you have Android 10 or above. In most cases, just go to WiFi settings and use the share option to see the password in seconds. For older versions or if you need more control, the root or ADB methods still work. Save your passwords somewhere safe and you’ll always have access to them when you need them.