You can see a saved WiFi password on Android only if you set up the network yourself or have admin access to the device

Android does not let you view WiFi passwords the way you might expect. You cannot open a settings menu and see a list of passwords in plain text. Instead, Android stores passwords in an encrypted file that only the device owner can access — and even then, only through specific routes depending on your Android version and whether your phone is rooted.

If you set up the WiFi network on your own phone, you have the best chance of recovering the password. If someone else set it up, or if the phone is managed by an employer or school, you likely cannot see it without their permission or help.

Key Takeaways

  • Android 10 and later let you view saved WiFi passwords through Settings > System > Developer Options, but only if you know your phone's unlock code.
  • Android 9 and earlier require you to access the WPA supplicant file directly, which usually means rooting your phone or connecting it to a computer.
  • If your phone is managed by an employer or school, you cannot view the password without administrator permission.
  • If you forgot the password to your own network, ask your router directly — most routers have a reset button or a web interface where you can change the password.

Finding a WiFi password on Android 10 and later

Android 10 introduced a simpler method. Open Settings, then go to System > Developer Options. (If you do not see Developer Options, go to About Phone and tap Build Number seven times.) In Developer Options, look for Wireless Debugging or USB Debugging and turn it on.

Next, open a file manager app — most Android phones come with one built in, or you can read a free one like Solid Explorer or MiXplorer from the Google Play Store. Navigate to /data/misc/wifi/. Look for a file called WPA2 or wpa_supplicant.conf. Open it with a text editor. The file contains your saved networks and their passwords in plain text. Search for the network name (SSID) you want, and the password will be listed next to it as psk=.

This method works only if you have physical access to the phone and know the unlock code. If the phone is locked, you cannot reach the file.

Finding a WiFi password on Android 9 and earlier

Older Android versions do not expose the password file through normal settings. Your main option is to root your phone, which means gaining administrator-level access to Android's core system. Rooting is permanent, voids your warranty, and can expose your phone to security risks if you install apps from untrusted sources afterward.

If you decide to root, you will use an app like Magisk or SuperSU to gain root access, then use a file manager with root permissions to navigate to /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf and view the passwords. The exact steps vary by phone model and Android version, so search for "[your phone model] how to root" before you start.

A safer alternative is to connect your Android phone to a Windows or Mac computer using a USB cable, then use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) — a free tool from Google — to pull the WPA supplicant file without rooting. This requires some command-line work but does not modify your phone. Search for "ADB pull wpa_supplicant" and your phone model for step-by-step guides.

What to do if the phone is managed by your employer or school

If your phone is enrolled in a Mobile Device Management (MDM) system — common at workplaces and schools — you cannot view saved WiFi passwords, even if you know the unlock code. The administrator controls which networks you can see and whether you can view their details.

Contact your IT department or help desk and explain that you need the WiFi password. They can either give it to you directly or re-add the network to your phone with a new password. Do not try to root the phone or bypass MDM controls; doing so may violate your employment or enrollment agreement and could trigger remote wipe of the device.

If you forgot the password to your own network

If you cannot find the password on any of your devices, you can reset it directly on your router. Most home routers have a web interface you can access by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a browser on a computer connected to the same network. Log in with the default username and password (usually printed on the router itself or in the manual), then navigate to WiFi settings and change the password.

If you do not have a computer connected to the network, you can factory reset the router by holding down the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds. This erases all settings, including the WiFi password, and returns the router to its default state. You will then need to set up the network again from scratch using the router's setup app or web interface.

Why Android hides WiFi passwords

Android encrypts saved WiFi passwords to prevent malware from stealing them if your phone is compromised. If any app could read your passwords, a malicious app could grab them and send them to someone else. By keeping passwords in an encrypted file that only the device owner can access, Android protects your network security even if your phone is infected.

This design also prevents someone who borrows your phone from seeing passwords for networks you have connected to. The trade-off is that you cannot easily recover a password you have forgotten, which is why keeping a written record of important WiFi passwords in a password manager is a good habit.

Security considerations when viewing WiFi passwords

If you do view a saved password, be aware that anyone with physical access to your unlocked phone can now see it too. If you are on a shared device or a device you are about to sell or give away, consider changing the WiFi password on your router after you view it, especially if you shared the password with people you no longer trust.

Also, if you are using a public or shared network (like at a coffee shop or library), do not assume the password is secret. Many people have it, and traffic on that network is not encrypted unless you use a VPN. Avoid logging into sensitive accounts like banking or email on public WiFi without a VPN, regardless of whether you know the password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see WiFi passwords on someone else's Android phone?

Not without their unlock code or permission. If the phone is locked, you cannot access the password file. If the phone is unlocked and you have physical access, you can follow the steps above, but doing so on someone else's device without permission is a violation of their privacy.

What if my phone is encrypted?

Full-disk encryption (common on newer Android phones) does not prevent you from viewing WiFi passwords if you can unlock the phone. The encryption protects your data if the phone is stolen, but once you unlock it, you can access the password files normally.

Will viewing the WiFi password damage my phone?

No. Reading the password file does not modify anything. Rooting your phone, however, does carry risks — it removes some of Android's security protections and can cause problems if you install untrusted apps afterward.

Can I view WiFi passwords if I forgot my unlock code?

No. You will need to reset your phone to factory settings, which erases all data including saved passwords. After reset, you can set up the phone again, but you will need the WiFi password from another source (like your router or the network owner).

Is there an app that shows me all my saved WiFi passwords?

Apps claiming to show WiFi passwords either require root access or are scams. No legitimate app can read encrypted passwords without rooting. If an app asks for permission to do this, it is either asking you to root your phone (which it will do without clearly explaining the risks) or it is collecting data for other purposes.