How to Find Your WiFi Password on Android

Where Android stores your WiFi password

Android keeps WiFi passwords in a settings file that only your phone can read — you cannot see the actual password characters displayed anywhere in the normal settings menu. However, you can view the password in two ways: by looking at the QR code your phone generates for that network, or by accessing the settings file directly if your phone is rooted (a technical modification that gives you deeper access to the system).

The QR code method works on most Android phones running version 10 or later and is the easiest route for most people. The file access method requires rooting your device, which voids your warranty and carries security risks, so it is not recommended unless you have a specific reason to do it.

Key Takeaways

Android 10 and later let you generate a QR code for any saved WiFi network, which you can scan with another device to see the password.
To find the QR code, go to Settings > Network and Internet > WiFi, long-press the network name, and tap "Share" or the QR icon.
If you have an older Android phone, you can only view the password by rooting the device and accessing the wpa_supplicant.conf file, which is not recommended for most users.
The QR code method works even if you are not connected to the network, as long as your phone has saved it before.

Viewing the password through a QR code on Android 10 and later

Open the Settings app and tap Network and Internet (or Connections on some Samsung phones). Select WiFi, then find the network whose password you want to see. Long-press the network name — do not just tap it — and a menu will appear with several options.

Look for a button labeled Share, QR Code, or a QR icon. Tap it, and your phone will display a QR code that contains the network name and password. You can now take a screenshot of this code or point another device's camera at it to join the network without typing the password manually. The QR code itself does not display the password in readable text, but any device that scans it will extract the password from the code.

If you need to see the actual password characters, you can use a QR code reader app (search for "QR code decoder" in the Google Play Store) to scan the code your phone generated. The app will show you the password in plain text. This works because the QR code contains the password in a format that any QR reader can decode.

What to do if your Android version is older than 10

Phones running Android 9 or earlier do not have a built-in QR code feature for WiFi passwords. Your only option is to root your device, which means gaining administrative access to the Android operating system. This is a technical process that varies by phone model and is not something most users should attempt.

Rooting voids your phone's warranty, can expose your device to security risks, and may prevent you from using certain apps or banking services that detect rooted phones. If you still want to proceed, you would need to use a rooting tool specific to your phone model (such as Magisk or SuperSU), then access the file /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf using a file manager app with root permissions. This file contains all your saved WiFi passwords in plain text.

A simpler alternative is to reset the WiFi network on your router and set a new password that you write down. Then reconnect your Android phone to the network using the new password you just created.

Recovering a password you have forgotten

If you have forgotten your WiFi password and cannot access it through your phone, your best option is to log into your router directly. Open a web browser on any device connected to the network and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar. You will be prompted to log in with your router's admin username and password (often printed on a sticker on the router itself).

Once logged in, look for a section called WiFi Settings, Wireless, or Security. The password will be displayed there, often with an option to show or hide it. If you do not know the router's admin password, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds, but this will erase all your custom settings and require you to set up the network again from scratch.

Why Android does not display passwords in settings

Android hides WiFi passwords for security reasons. If someone gains temporary access to your phone, they cannot straightforward open Settings and read all your saved passwords. The password is encrypted and stored in a way that only the phone itself can use it to connect to networks.

This design also prevents screenshots or screen recordings from capturing your password. The QR code feature was added as a convenient way to share your network without revealing the password in text form, making it safer to let guests join your WiFi.

Sharing your WiFi password safely with guests

Instead of telling someone your password out loud or typing it for them, use the QR code method. Generate the QR code from your phone's WiFi settings and let your guest scan it with their device. This way, the password is never spoken or written down where someone might overhear or see it.

If your guest has an older Android phone without QR code support, you can use a third-party app like WiFi QR Code Generator (available in the Google Play Store) to create a QR code for any saved network. This app works on older Android versions and generates the same type of QR code that newer phones create natively.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my WiFi password if I am not currently connected to the network?

Yes. As long as your phone has connected to the network before and saved the password, you can generate a QR code for it from the WiFi settings menu, even if you are not currently connected. The password is stored on your device regardless of your current connection status.

What if the QR code option does not appear in my WiFi settings?

Your phone is likely running Android 9 or earlier. Update your Android version if possible — go to Settings > About Phone > System Update. If your phone cannot be updated, you will need to use a QR code generator app from the Play Store, or reset your router and set a new password you can write down.

Is it safe to use a QR code decoder app to read my WiFi password?

Yes, as long as you read the app from the official Google Play Store. The QR code contains only your network name and password — nothing else. A QR decoder app straightforward reads what is already encoded in the code and displays it as text.

Will rooting my phone let me see passwords for networks I have forgotten?

Yes. The wpa_supplicant.conf file contains all saved WiFi passwords in plain text. However, rooting carries significant security and warranty risks and is not recommended unless you have a strong technical reason to do it.

Can I see my WiFi password on a phone that is not mine?

Only if the phone is unlocked and you have access to the Settings app. You cannot view another person's WiFi password without their permission and their phone in your hands. This is by design — it prevents unauthorized access to network information.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.