Where Android stores your WiFi password

Android keeps WiFi passwords in a find system file that you can view if you have physical access to your phone and know your lock screen PIN or password. The exact steps depend on which version of Android you run — the process changed between Android 10 and Android 11. You will need either your phone's lock screen credentials or access to your Google account that is linked to the device.

The passwords are encrypted on your phone, which means they are not stored in plain text. Android decrypts them only when you view them, and only if you prove you own the device. This is why you cannot see someone else's WiFi password just by borrowing their phone.

Key Takeaways

  • Android stores WiFi passwords in Settings under Network and Internet, but the exact path and what you see depends on your Android version and phone manufacturer.
  • You must unlock your phone with your PIN, password, or biometric to view a saved password — Android will not show it to an unlocked guest account.
  • If you cannot remember your lock screen credentials, you will need to factory reset your phone, which erases all data unless you have a backup.
  • Some phone makers like Samsung add their own password manager on top of Android's built-in system, which may store passwords in a different location.
  • If you forgot your WiFi password and cannot view it on your phone, your router's admin panel or your internet provider's account are your next options.

Steps for Android 11 and newer

Open Settings and tap Network and Internet. Then tap WiFi. You will see a list of networks your phone has connected to before. Find the network you want the password for and tap and hold on its name until a menu appears. Tap Manage or Edit (the exact wording varies by manufacturer). A window will open showing the network details.

Look for a field labeled Password. The password will be hidden by default — it will show as dots or asterisks. Tap the eye icon next to the password field to reveal it in plain text. Your phone will ask you to unlock it again with your PIN, password, or fingerprint. After you unlock it, the password will display on screen.

Write down the password or take a screenshot before you close the window. Once you leave this screen, you will have to go through the same steps again to see it a second time.

Steps for Android 10

Open Settings and tap Network and Internet, then WiFi. Tap the gear icon or three-dot menu at the top right of the screen. Tap Saved Networks. Find the network you want and tap on it. The password field will show dots or asterisks.

Tap the eye icon to reveal the password. Your phone will ask you to unlock it. After you unlock it, the password appears in plain text. The steps are nearly identical to Android 11, but the menu path is slightly different.

What to do if you cannot find the password field

Some phone manufacturers, especially Samsung, add their own WiFi management system on top of Android's built-in one. If you follow the steps above and do not see a password field at all, your phone may be using a custom system. Try opening Settings and searching for WiFi Manager or Network Manager — the exact name depends on your phone maker.

Another reason the password field might not appear is if you connected to the network through a QR code instead of typing the password manually. In that case, Android may not have stored the password in a way you can view it later. Your only option is to check your router's admin panel or contact your internet provider.

Viewing passwords from your Google account

If you have a Google account linked to your Android phone, you can view some of your saved WiFi passwords through Google's password manager at passwords.google.com. This works only if you turned on password sync in your phone's settings. Open Settings, tap Google, then Manage your Google Account, then the Security tab. Look for Password Manager and make sure it is turned on.

Not all WiFi passwords sync to Google's password manager — it depends on your phone model and Android version. This method is most useful if you are trying to find a password on a different device, like a computer, rather than on the phone itself.

If you forgot your lock screen PIN or password

You cannot view your WiFi passwords without unlocking your phone first. If you forgot your lock screen credentials, you have two options: use your Google account to unlock the phone, or factory reset it.

To use your Google account, enter your PIN or password incorrectly several times until your phone offers the option to unlock with your Google credentials. Tap that option and sign in with the email and password for the Google account linked to your phone. This will unlock your phone without erasing your data.

If you cannot remember your Google password either, or if your phone does not offer that option, you will need to factory reset. This erases everything on your phone unless you have a backup. After the reset, you can sign back in with your Google account, and your phone will restore your apps and data from your backup. Your WiFi passwords will be restored if you backed them up to your Google account.

Finding the password through your router instead

If you cannot view the password on your phone, you can find it by logging into your router's admin panel from any computer or device on the same network. Open a web browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar. Your router's login page will appear.

Log in with your router's admin username and password — this is different from your WiFi password. If you never changed it, the default is often printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of your router. Once you are logged in, look for a section called Wireless, WiFi, or Network. The WiFi password will be listed there, often labeled Pre-Shared Key or Passphrase.

If you do not know your router's admin password, you can factory reset the router by holding down the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds. This erases all your router settings and returns it to factory defaults, so you will have to set up your WiFi network again from scratch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see someone else's WiFi password if I borrow their phone?

No. Android requires you to unlock the phone with the owner's PIN, password, or biometric before you can view any saved passwords. If the phone is locked, you cannot see the password. If the phone is unlocked, you can view it, but that is the owner's responsibility to prevent.

Why does my phone show the password as dots instead of letters?

Android hides passwords by default for security. Tap the eye icon next to the password field to reveal it. You will need to unlock your phone again when you do this.

What if the eye icon does not appear next to the password?

Some custom Android versions or third-party WiFi managers do not include the reveal option. Try taking a screenshot of the password field — sometimes the screenshot will capture the actual letters even if the screen shows dots. If that does not work, your only option is to check your router's admin panel.

Will viewing my WiFi password on my phone affect my network security?

No. Viewing your own password on your own phone does not change your network security or put your WiFi at risk. The password remains the same, and only devices that know the password can connect.

Can I change my WiFi password from my Android phone?

You cannot change it directly from the WiFi settings menu. You have to log into your router's admin panel on a computer or through your internet provider's app. Once you change the password there, you will need to forget the old network on your phone and reconnect with the new password.