Where Android stores your saved WiFi passwords

Android keeps WiFi passwords in a file called WifiConfigStore.xml, which lives in your phone's system files. You cannot see this file through the normal Settings app — Android hides it for security reasons. To view a saved password, you need either to go through your phone's Settings menu (which works only if you set up the network yourself and remember which one it was), or to access the system files directly using a file manager app that can read hidden folders.

The method you use depends on whether you remember which network you connected to, and whether you are comfortable navigating your phone's file system. Most people find the Settings route faster if they know the network name. The file manager route takes longer but works even if you have forgotten which network is which.

Key Takeaways

  • Android stores WiFi passwords in a hidden system file, so you cannot see them in the normal Settings menu unless you set up the network yourself.
  • If you set up the network on your current phone, you can view the password through Settings > Network and Internet > WiFi > Saved Networks, then tap the network name.
  • To see passwords for networks set up on a different device or phone, you need a file manager app that can read hidden folders and navigate to /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml.
  • Some Android versions show the password as a QR code instead of text, which you can photograph and scan with another device.
  • If you cannot remember the network name or access the file, you can reset the router and set up the network again from scratch.

Viewing a password through Settings if you set up the network

If you personally connected your current Android phone to the WiFi network, Android remembers that you did and will show you the password. Open Settings, then tap Network and Internet (or Connections on some phones). Tap WiFi, then look for Saved Networks or Manage Networks. Find the network name in the list and tap it. Android will display the password in plain text, or sometimes as a QR code you can photograph.

This method fails if someone else set up the network on a different phone, or if you switched phones and the network was set up on your old device. In those cases, Android does not show the password because it does not have a record of you entering it. You will need to use the file manager method instead.

Using a file manager to read the password file directly

If the Settings method does not show the password, you can read the WifiConfigStore.xml file directly. First, read a file manager app that can display hidden files — ES File Explorer, Solid Explorer, or MiXplorer are common choices. Open the file manager and look for a menu option to show hidden files (often called "Show Hidden Files" or "View Hidden Files"). This setting is usually in the app's menu or settings.

Navigate to /data/misc/wifi/. You should see a file named WifiConfigStore.xml. Open it with a text editor (the file manager usually offers this as an option). The file contains all your saved networks and their passwords in plain text. Search for the network name you are looking for — the password will appear right after it in the file, usually marked with a tag like <string name="psk">. Copy the password text between the opening and closing tags.

This method requires your phone to be unlocked and you to have permission to access system files. Some phones restrict access to /data/misc/wifi/ even with a file manager app, depending on your Android version and manufacturer. If you cannot open the folder, your phone's security settings are blocking it.

When Android shows the password as a QR code instead of text

Some Android versions and manufacturers display the WiFi password as a QR code rather than typing it out. If you see a square barcode pattern instead of letters and numbers, you can photograph it with another device and scan it using any QR code reader app. The decoded information will include the network name and password.

Alternatively, you can take a screenshot of the QR code and email it to yourself, then open the screenshot on a computer and scan it with a web-based QR decoder. This is useful if you need to share the password with someone else without typing it out.

What to do if you cannot access the password file

If your phone blocks access to the /data/misc/wifi/ folder, or if you cannot find the network in Settings, you have two options. The first is to reset your WiFi router to factory settings and set up the network again from scratch. This erases all saved settings on the router, so you will need to reconfigure any custom settings you had (like a custom network name or security type). The second option is to ask whoever set up the network originally — they may still have the password written down or remember it.

Resetting the router usually involves holding a small reset button on the back of the device for 10 to 15 seconds while it is powered on. Check your router's manual or the manufacturer's website for the exact steps, as they vary by model.

Why Android hides WiFi passwords by default

Android keeps WiFi passwords in a hidden system file because anyone with physical access to your unlocked phone can otherwise read every password you have ever saved. By hiding the file, Android makes it harder for someone to grab your phone, find the passwords, and use them to connect to your networks without your knowledge. The file is still readable if someone knows where to look, but the extra step stops casual snooping.

This is why you should always lock your phone with a PIN, pattern, or biometric — it prevents someone from opening a file manager and navigating to the password file in the first place. If your phone is unlocked, anyone can access these files regardless of the hiding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see a WiFi password on Android if someone else set up the network?

Only if you access the WifiConfigStore.xml file directly using a file manager app. The Settings menu will not show the password because Android only displays passwords for networks you personally connected to. If the file is blocked, you cannot read it without resetting the router.

What if my file manager app cannot open the /data/misc/wifi/ folder?

Your phone's security settings are blocking access. Try a different file manager app — some have better access to system folders than others. If multiple apps fail, your manufacturer has locked down the folder. Reset the router instead.

Is it safe to let someone photograph my WiFi password QR code?

A QR code is the same as typing out the password — anyone who scans it can connect to your network. Only share it with people you trust. If you are worried someone has the password, change it in your router settings.

Will resetting the router delete my internet history?

No. Resetting the router only erases the router's settings, not the data on your phone or any connected devices. Your browsing history stays on your phone.

Can I see passwords for networks I used to connect to but deleted?

No. Once you forget a network in Android Settings, it is removed from WifiConfigStore.xml. The password is gone unless you reset the router and set it up again.