how to check the password of wifi on android

Let’s get straight to it. You’re standing in front of your TV, tablet, or guest’s phone, and you need the WiFi password. But the only device you have that’s already connected is your Android phone.

So you’re wondering how to check the password of wifi on android without hunting down the router sticker or resetting the network. Good news: it’s usually right there in your settings. Bad news: it depends on your phone’s software, and there are a few traps that trip people up.

As of 2026, roughly 90% of Android phones run version 10 or higher. That means most people can see the password in under 30 seconds using a built-in QR code feature. But if you’re on an older Android, or if your manufacturer hides the option in a different menu, you’ll need a different path.

Let’s walk through the conditions and find your exact method.

Quick Answer

Open Settings. Tap Network & Internet. Tap WiFi.

Tap your saved network. Tap Share or the QR code icon. Authenticate with your fingerprint or PIN.

Read the password below the QR code. That works on Android 10 and newer.

For older Android, you need ADB or a root app. No built-in method exists.

Problem / Pain Point

Why isn’t this simpler? Because Android isn’t one operating system. It’s a core OS that each manufacturer layers with its own skin.

Samsung, Xiaomi, OPPO, and OnePlus all rearrange the settings menus. So “tap WiFi” might lead you to a different submenu depending on your phone.

On top of that, Android version matters a lot. Before version 10, Google didn’t include a way to view the WiFi password in plain text. You could only see a QR code if the manufacturer added it manually.

That means thousands of phones are stuck with no quick option.

The biggest frustration? You go into settings, find your network, tap it, and see only “Forget” and “Modify network.” No Share button. No password.

That’s a dead end for many users.

Condition Variables – The Three Branches That Matter

Your next step depends on three things:

• Android version: 10 or newer? You’re in the easy branch. 9 or older? You need a workaround.
• Manufacturer skin: Stock Android (Pixel, Motorola, Nokia) works one way. Samsung One UI, Xiaomi HyperOS, and OPPO ColorOS each have slightly different paths.
• Root status: If your phone is rooted, any version becomes easy. If not, you’re limited to built-in options or ADB.

Quick decision check

Ask yourself:

• Am I on Android 10+? → Go to the Step-by-Step section.
• Am I on Android 9 or lower? → Read the ADB or Root sections.
• Is my device managed by a work profile (MDM)? → You probably can’t access it legally. Ask your IT admin.

Decision Tree Overview (Simplified Flowchart in Text)

Here’s the logic in plain English:

Branch 1: Android 10+

• Go to Settings → WiFi → tap your network → Share / QR code → authenticate → copy or read password.
• Works on Pixel, Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, OPPO, Vivo, Motorola, Nokia, Sony, LG, and most other brands.
• Time: under 30 seconds. No app needed.

Branch 2: Android 9 or older, not rooted

• Option A: Use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) with a PC. You’ll pull the wpa_supplicant.conf file that stores all saved WiFi passwords. Requires enabling Developer Options and USB Debugging.
• Option B: Log into your router’s admin panel via a browser. Find the wireless security settings and view the password there.
• Option C: Use a third-party app that claims to read saved passwords, but most require root anyway. Proceed with caution.

Branch 3: Rooted device (any Android version)

• Install an app like WiFi Key Recovery. Grant root access. It displays every saved network with its password in plain text.
• Time: about two minutes.

Branch 4: Managed or enterprise device

• Security policies may block you. No guaranteed method without admin permission.

Step-by-Step Process: How to Check WiFi Password on Android (Android 10+)

This works for the vast majority of phones sold in the last five years. We’ll cover the most common skins below.

Method A: Stock Android (Pixel, Motorola, Nokia, Sony, LG, etc.)

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Network & Internet or Connections (depending on skin).
3. Tap WiFi.
4. You’ll see a list of saved networks. Tap the one you want, the network name itself, not the gear icon beside it.
5. On the network details screen, look for a Share button or a QR code icon (usually a small square with curved corners).
6. Tap it. Your phone will ask you to authenticate, fingerprint, PIN, or pattern.
7. After authentication, a QR code appears. Below the QR code, you’ll see the password in plain text.
8. You can tap the password to copy it, or let another device scan the QR code to connect instantly.

Pro tip: On stock Android 12 and later, you can also long-press the password field to copy it without needing a second device.

Method B: Samsung One UI (Android 10 and newer)

Samsung phones follow the same logic but the menu path is slightly different.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Connections (not “Network & Internet”).
3. Tap WiFi.
4. Tap the gear icon next to your connected network.
5. Tap QR code.
6. Authenticate with fingerprint or PIN.
7. The password shows under the QR code. You can also scan another device’s QR code from this screen if you’re the guest.

Samsung quirk: Some Galaxy phones hide the QR code button inside the three-dot menu (top right) instead of showing it directly. Tap the three dots, then “QR code” if you don’t see it immediately.

Method C: Xiaomi HyperOS (or MIUI 12+)

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap WiFi & Network (or just WiFi).
3. Tap the connected network name.
4. Tap Share or QR code (usually located near the network name).
5. Authenticate.
6. Password appears below the QR code.

Note: On some Xiaomi devices, you need to tap the arrow next to the network name to expand the details before the Share button appears.

Method D: OPPO ColorOS / OnePlus OxygenOS / Vivo Funtouch OS

These are nearly identical to stock Android.

1. Settings → WiFi → tap your network name.
2. Look for Share or QR code.
3. Authenticate.
4. Password shown.

If the Share button is missing: Tap the info icon (lowercase “i” in a circle) instead of the network name itself. That often reveals the QR code option.

What if you see dots instead of a password?

On Android 10+, the password is hidden behind authentication. Tap “Share” and authenticate, the password will appear. If you still see dots and no Share button, your phone may be running Android 9 or a heavily customized skin that removed the feature.

That means you need to jump to the older Android methods (ADB or router access).

Step-by-Step Process: How to Check WiFi Password on Android (Android 9 and Below)

If your phone runs Android 9 or older, you cannot use the QR code method. Google added that feature in Android 10. But you still have options.

Pick the one that matches your comfort level.

Option 1: Using ADB (no root required)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) lets your computer talk to your phone. You can pull a system file that stores all saved WiFi passwords in plain text.

What you need:

• A Windows, Mac, or Linux computer
• A USB cable
• USB Debugging enabled on your phone

Step-by-step:

1. On your Android phone, go to Settings > About phone > tap Build number seven times until it says “You are now a developer.”
2. Go back to Settings > Developer options > enable USB Debugging.
3. Connect your phone to the computer via USB.
4. On your computer, open a terminal or command prompt. , Windows: Download and install the ADB platform tools from the official Android developer site.

, Mac/Linux: Use Homebrew or package manager to install android-platform-tools.

5. Run adb devices to confirm your phone is recognized. Accept the RSA fingerprint prompt on your phone.

6. Run the following command to pull the WiFi configuration file:

   adb pull /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf
   

   (On some devices, the file is named WifiConfigStore.xml, try both.)

7. Open the file with a text editor. Look for ssid= and psk= lines. The password is the value after psk=.

Catch: This method requires USB Debugging to be turned on. If you’ve never enabled Developer Options, you’ll need to do that now. And if your phone’s storage is encrypted, the file might not be readable without root.

Option 2: Using a Rooted App

If your phone is rooted, life is easier. Install an app like WiFi Key Recovery or WiFi Password Viewer (both require Superuser or Magisk access). Open the app, grant root permissions, and you’ll see a list of every saved network with its password.

Root note: Rooting your phone voids the warranty and can cause security risks. Do not root just for this unless you already have experience.

Option 3: Router Admin Panel (always works)

No matter what Android version you use, you can log into your router’s admin page from your phone’s browser. This is the universal fallback.

1. Open your phone’s web browser.
2. Type your router’s IP address in the address bar. Common ones: 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.
3. Log in with the router’s admin username and password. (If you never changed it, check the sticker on the router, often “admin” / “admin” or “admin” / “password”.)
4. Look for Wireless or WiFi settings. Then find Security or Wireless Security.
5. The WiFi password is displayed in a field labeled “Passphrase,” “Key,” or “WPA Pre-Shared Key.”

Warning: Change the router admin password afterward if it’s still default. Leaving it as “admin/admin” is a security risk.

Mistakes to Avoid / Common Errors

Most people get tripped up by small details. Here are the most frequent pitfalls we see in user reports.

Tapping the wrong icon on Samsung: You tap the network name, but the Share button is actually behind the three-dot menu. Don’t just tap the gear icon; tap the three dots in the top right corner if you don’t see QR code immediately.

Assuming QR code works with a screenshot: The QR code on your phone contains the password, but the other device must scan it using its camera. You cannot screenshot it and send it; the other phone needs to open its camera and point it at your screen.

Forgetting to authenticate: On Android 10+, the password is hidden until you verify your identity with fingerprint or PIN. If you tap Share and nothing happens, check if your phone is asking for authentication in the background.

Using third-party apps without root: Many apps in the Play Store claim to show WiFi passwords. They either require root (and won’t tell you until after installation) or they don’t work at all. Stick to the built-in method or ADB.

Thinking “Copy password” works on Android 11: That feature arrived in Android 12. On Android 10 and 11, you can only read the password under the QR code and type it manually.

When None of the Above Works – Troubleshooting

Sometimes you follow every step and still hit a wall. Here’s what to check.

The network is “forgotten”: If you’ve removed the network from your saved list, the password is gone. You’ll need to re-enter it from the router or ask someone who has it.

USB Debugging is greyed out: On some corporate-managed phones, Developer Options are locked. You cannot use ADB. Try the router method instead.

Your phone is on Android 9 and uses a custom skin that blocks Share: Some Chinese OEMs (like Huawei on EMUI 9) removed the Share button entirely. You must use the router method or ADB.

The router admin login doesn’t work: Either you changed it and forgot, or the default credentials aren’t on the sticker. In that case, reset the router by holding the small reset button for 10 seconds. This erases all settings, so you’ll need to reconfigure the network.

Work profile or MDM restrictions: If your device is managed by an employer, they may block all password viewing. Do not attempt to bypass MDM policies, it could get you fired.

Pro Advice from Real Use

A few practical tips that save time and frustration.

Write it down once: As soon as you retrieve the password, write it on a sticky note and put it under the router. You’ll never need to dig through settings again.

Create a QR code sticker: Use a free online QR code generator (like QR Code Monkey) that supports WiFi passwords. Enter your network name, security type (WPA2), and password. Print the QR code and stick it on the router.

Guests can scan it with their phone camera to connect instantly.

Share the QR code as a screenshot: On Android 10+, you can take a screenshot of the QR code screen and send it to someone. But they still need to scan it with their own camera, not just look at the screenshot.

Use your phone as a hotspot in a pinch: If you can’t find the password, turn on your phone’s mobile hotspot and let your guest connect through that. It’s not ideal for long-term use, but it works for a quick internet fix.

Safety / Legal / Compliance / Warnings

A few things you need to know before you start poking around.

Only view passwords on devices you own: Checking the WiFi password on a friend’s phone without their permission is a privacy violation. Don’t do it.

Beware of malicious apps: Numerous “WiFi password viewer” apps on third-party app stores contain malware. Stick to the built-in method or ADB. If you must use a third-party app, choose one with high ratings and many downloads, and read the permissions carefully.

Rooting voids warranty: If you root your device to use a password viewer app, your manufacturer will not cover repairs. Consider whether the password is worth the risk.

ADB exposes sensitive data: The wpa_supplicant.conf file can contain passwords for every WiFi network the device has ever connected to. Delete the file from your computer after you’ve retrieved the password. Turn off USB Debugging when you’re done.

MDM policies are legally binding: If your employer manages your phone, they have the right to block you from viewing saved WiFi passwords. Attempting to bypass these locks could violate your employment agreement.

Decision Guide – Quick Reference Table

Here’s a one‑look summary that matches your situation to the fastest method. Use the table to jump straight to the right branch.

How to use this table: First, check your Android version (Settings > About phone > Android version). Then see if you can log into your router. If neither works, ADB is your fallback.

Final Verdict: Which Branch Should You Take?

Start with your Android version. If it’s 10 or higher, open Settings and tap Share on your saved network. That’s the fastest path and works on roughly 9 out of 10 phones in active use today.

If your phone is older, the router method is the next easiest. You don’t need any special tools or permissions. Just type your router’s IP address into a browser and look for the wireless security page.

Only reach for ADB or rooted apps if you’re comfortable with command lines or have already unlocked your bootloader. For most people, the router admin panel is simpler and safer.

One last tip: once you get the password, save it somewhere you won’t lose it. A note in your phone’s password manager or a sticky note on the router base saves you from ever needing this guide again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this work on Android tablets?

Yes. Android tablets use the same settings menu as phones. If your tablet runs Android 10 or newer, you can share the QR code and see the password exactly the same way.

Can I see the password for a network that’s not currently connected?

On Android 10+, you can only see the password for networks that are saved on your device. If you’re not connected and haven’t connected before, the password isn’t stored. Use the router method instead.

What if the Share button is missing on my phone?

This usually means you’re on Android 9 or a custom skin that removed the feature. Check your Android version in Settings. If it’s 9 or lower, use ADB or the router admin panel.

Is it legal to view my own WiFi password?

Absolutely. You own the network and the device. It’s your property.

Just don’t use these methods on someone else’s phone without their permission.

Can I use a QR code from a screenshot?

No. The QR code must be scanned live with a camera. You cannot take a screenshot and expect another phone to connect by looking at the image.

The other device needs to scan your screen in real time.

Does factory reset delete saved WiFi passwords?

Yes. A factory reset wipes all saved networks. If you reset your phone without remembering the password, you’ll need the router method to reconnect.