Where Android stores your WiFi password

Android keeps the password for any WiFi network you've connected to before, but it doesn't show it to you in the WiFi settings menu the way some other devices do. Instead, the password lives in your phone's system files, and you can view it through the Settings app or by looking at the actual network configuration file if you have access to a computer and a USB cable.

The method you use depends on whether you're trying to find a password you've already connected to on that phone, or whether you need to recover a password you've forgotten entirely. If you set up the network on your Android device, the phone remembers it — you just need to know where to look.

Key Takeaways

  • Android stores WiFi passwords in Settings under Network and Internet, but only shows them as dots for security reasons on most phones.
  • You can view the actual password by opening the WiFi network details and tapping "Show password" if you're already connected.
  • If you need the password but don't have it saved on your phone, you can check the router itself or ask whoever set up the network.
  • Some Android phones require you to unlock your device or enter your PIN before the password will display.
  • If you've forgotten the password completely, resetting the router is usually the only way to regain access.

Viewing a saved WiFi password through Settings

Open Settings on your Android phone and go to Network and Internet (the exact name varies slightly by manufacturer — Samsung calls it "Connections," for example). Tap WiFi, then find the network name you want the password for in the list of saved networks.

Tap the network name, and a small menu will appear. Look for an option that says Show password, View password, or sometimes just a checkbox next to "Show password." Tap it, and the dots hiding the password will change to readable text. Your phone may ask you to unlock it with your fingerprint, face recognition, or PIN before displaying the password — this is a security feature.

Write down the password exactly as it appears, including capital letters and numbers. WiFi passwords are case-sensitive, so a single wrong character will prevent you from connecting.

Finding the password if you can't see it in Settings

Some Android phones, particularly older models or those running older versions of Android, don't display the password even after you tap "Show password." If this happens, you have two other options: check the router itself, or use a computer to access the phone's system files.

The easiest route is usually to check your router. Look for a sticker on the back or bottom of the router — it typically has the network name (SSID) and the default password printed on it. If the password has been changed since the router was set up, the sticker won't help, but the default password is a starting point.

If you need to access the system files, connect your Android phone to a computer with a USB cable, enable file transfer mode on your phone, and navigate to data/misc/wifi on the phone's storage. Look for a file called WifiConfigStore.xml or wpa_supplicant.conf. Open it with a text editor, and you'll see the network names and passwords stored in plain text. This method requires some comfort with file systems and is slower than the Settings method, so try the Settings approach first.

What to do if the network isn't showing in your saved list

If the WiFi network you're looking for doesn't appear in your Settings list, your phone has never connected to it before, and Android has no record of the password. In this case, you'll need to get the password from whoever set up the network or from the router owner.

Ask the person who manages the network to tell you the password, or ask them to reset the router to factory settings so you can set it up fresh with a new password. If it's your own router and you've forgotten the password, you'll need to reset the router by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds — this will erase all settings and return it to the default password printed on the sticker.

Recovering a password from a router you own

If the WiFi network is yours and you've forgotten the password, the router itself is your recovery point. Most routers have a reset button (usually recessed, so you'll need a paperclip or similar tool to press it). Hold it down for 10 to 15 seconds until the lights on the router flash or change color, then release it.

The router will restart and return to its factory default settings. The default network name and password are printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the router. Connect to the network using those credentials, then log into the router's admin panel (usually by typing the router's IP address into a web browser) to set a new password of your choice.

This process erases any custom settings you made to the router, so you'll need to reconfigure things like port forwarding or parental controls if you had them set up. If you don't remember the router's default password and can't find the sticker, look up your router's model number online — the manufacturer publishes default credentials for most models.

Why Android hides the password by default

Android shows passwords as dots in the Settings menu because anyone with physical access to your unlocked phone could otherwise see every WiFi password you've ever used. By requiring you to actively tap "Show password" and unlock your device, Android adds a layer of protection against someone casually looking over your shoulder or picking up your phone.

This is why some phones also ask for your PIN or fingerprint before displaying the password — it's the same reason your banking app requires authentication. The password itself is stored securely on your phone, and the operating system is designed to make it inconvenient (but not impossible) to extract.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see a WiFi password on Android if I'm not connected to the network?

No, not through the Settings menu. Android only stores passwords for networks you've previously connected to. If you've never connected to a network, your phone has no record of its password. You'll need to get the password from the network owner or check the router itself.

What if my phone won't show the password even after I tap "Show password"?

Some older Android phones or custom versions don't display passwords in Settings at all. Try restarting your phone and checking again. If it still doesn't work, check the router's sticker for the default password, or access the system files through a computer using a USB cable.

Is it safe to write down my WiFi password?

Yes, writing it down is fine as long as you keep the paper in a find place. Many people keep a list of passwords in a notebook at home. If you're concerned about security, you can change the WiFi password to something new at any time through your router's settings.

Can I see passwords for networks I've connected to on other devices?

No. Each device stores its own copy of passwords it has connected to. If you need a password from a network you connected to on a different phone or computer, you'll need to check that device or ask the network owner.

What should I do if someone else connected to my WiFi without permission?

Change your WiFi password through your router's admin panel. Log in using the router's IP address (usually printed on the router), find the WiFi settings, and set a new password. All devices will be disconnected and will need the new password to reconnect.