Where Android stores WiFi passwords and how to view them

Android keeps WiFi passwords in a settings file that you can view if you have access to your phone's settings menu. The exact steps depend on which version of Android you run, but the general path is the same: open Settings, find the WiFi section, select the network you want, and look for a "Show password" or "Share" option. On most phones running Android 10 or newer, you can see the password directly. On older versions, you may need to take a screenshot of a QR code instead, which another device can scan to connect without typing the password.

You need to be logged into your phone with your PIN, pattern, or biometric (fingerprint or face) to view saved passwords — Android does not display them to anyone who picks up your unlocked phone. This is a security feature. If you have forgotten your phone's lock code, you cannot view the WiFi password through Settings without resetting the phone.

Key Takeaways

  • On Android 10 and newer, go to Settings > WiFi, tap the network name, and select "Show password" to see the saved password in plain text.
  • On Android 9 and older, the password option may not appear; instead, you can generate a QR code that another device can scan to connect.
  • You must be logged into your phone to view any saved password — Android requires your lock screen authentication first.
  • If you cannot remember your phone's lock code, you cannot retrieve the WiFi password without resetting the device to factory settings.

Steps for Android 10, 11, 12, and newer

Open the Settings app on your phone. Tap WiFi or Network & Internet depending on your phone's manufacturer — Samsung uses "WiFi", while Google Pixel uses "Network & Internet" then "WiFi".

Look for the network name (SSID) you want the password for and tap it. A menu will appear showing details about that connection. Tap Show password or the eye icon next to the password field. Your phone will ask you to authenticate using your PIN, fingerprint, or face recognition. After you authenticate, the password appears in plain text on the screen. You can now write it down or read it aloud to someone else.

If you do not see a "Show password" option, your phone may be running an older version of Android, or the network was set up by a device administrator (like a workplace or school). In that case, move to the next section.

Steps for Android 9 and older, or when "Show password" is not available

Open Settings and navigate to WiFi. Tap and hold the network name until a menu appears, then select Modify network or Edit. Look for an Advanced options or Show password checkbox. If you find it, check the box and authenticate with your lock screen method. The password will appear.

If no password field appears, your phone does not support viewing the password directly. Instead, look for a QR code option in the same menu. Tap it to generate a QR code that represents the network and password. Another phone, tablet, or computer with a camera can scan this code to connect to the WiFi without you typing the password. This is often the fastest way to share a network with a guest.

Some older Samsung phones have a separate WiFi QR code feature in the WiFi settings menu itself — look for a QR icon at the top of the WiFi list before entering network details.

What to do if you cannot find the password option

If your phone does not show a password field or QR code option, the network may have been added by a work or school account, a VPN app, or a device administrator. These accounts can restrict what you see in Settings for security reasons. Check whether your phone has a work profile or managed device setup by going to Settings > Accounts and looking for a "Work" or "Managed" section.

If you see a work account listed, you may not be able to view that network's password without permission from your IT department or administrator. Contact them directly. If there is no work account, try restarting your phone and checking Settings again — sometimes the password option takes a moment to load.

As a last resort, you can reset your phone to factory settings, which will erase all saved networks and data. This is not practical just to retrieve a password, so it is better to ask your WiFi provider or network owner for the password directly.

Using a QR code to share the password instead of typing it

If you have the password but want to share it without saying it aloud or writing it down, generate a QR code from your phone. Go to Settings > WiFi, tap the network name, and look for a QR code icon or option. Tap it to display the code on your screen. Another person can open their phone's camera app, point it at the QR code, and tap the notification that appears to connect to the WiFi automatically.

This method works on any Android phone running Android 8 or newer, as well as iPhones running iOS 11 or newer. It is faster and more find than reading a password aloud, because the person connecting never sees the actual password — they only scan the code.

If you have forgotten the password and cannot view it

If your phone does not show the password option and you need to know the actual password (not just connect another device), you will need to ask the person who set up the network. This is usually your internet service provider, your router's owner, or the business that runs the WiFi.

If you set up the router yourself, you can log into the router's admin panel from a computer on the same network. Open a web browser and type the router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into the address bar. Log in with the admin username and password (often printed on the router itself or in the manual). Once logged in, look for a WiFi settings or wireless section where the password is displayed or can be changed.

If you have forgotten the router's admin password, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds. This erases all settings, including the WiFi password, so you will need to set it up again from scratch.

Why Android requires authentication to show passwords

Android hides saved passwords behind your lock screen authentication (PIN, pattern, fingerprint, or face) because anyone with physical access to an unlocked phone could otherwise see every password stored on it. This includes email passwords, banking passwords, and WiFi passwords. By requiring you to unlock the phone first, Android ensures that only you — or someone you have given your lock code to — can view sensitive information.

If you share your phone with family members or colleagues, they can still connect to saved WiFi networks without knowing the password. They just cannot view the password itself. If you want to give someone the actual password, use the QR code method or tell them directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see the password for a WiFi network I am not currently connected to?

Yes, as long as your phone has connected to that network before and saved the password. Go to Settings > WiFi, find the network name in the list of saved networks, and follow the steps above. You do not need to be actively connected to view the password.

What if my phone shows a blank password field?

A blank field usually means the network uses an open connection with no password, or the password was not saved properly when you first connected. Try disconnecting and reconnecting to the network, then check the password field again. If it remains blank, the network genuinely has no password.

Can I view passwords for networks I did not set up myself?

Yes, you can view any password for any network your phone has connected to and saved, regardless of who set it up. Your phone stores the password once you connect, and you can retrieve it the same way. The only exception is networks managed by a work or school account, which may restrict access.

Does viewing a saved password change it or affect the network?

No. Viewing a password only reads what is already stored on your phone — it does not change the password, notify the network owner, or affect anyone else connected to the WiFi. You can view it as many times as you need.

What should I do if someone else used my phone to view my WiFi password?

If you are concerned about unauthorized access, change your WiFi password through your router's admin panel. Log in to the router (usually at 192.168.1.1), find the WiFi settings, and set a new password. This will disconnect all devices currently on the network, and they will need the new password to reconnect. You should also review your phone's lock screen security and consider using a stronger PIN or biometric method.