Where Android stores your WiFi passwords

Android keeps the passwords for networks you have connected to before in a file called wpa_supplicant.conf, stored in your phone's system folder. You cannot see this file through the normal Files app — it lives in a protected area that requires either root access (giving yourself administrator-level control of your phone) or a workaround using your phone's built-in settings.

The easiest route for most people is to look in Settings, where Android shows saved networks and their passwords without needing to dig into system files. The exact steps depend on which version of Android you have, but the principle is the same: go to WiFi settings, find the network you want, and look for a password field or a QR code that contains the password.

Key Takeaways

  • Android 10 and newer show saved WiFi passwords directly in Settings under WiFi, without needing root access or third-party apps.
  • Android 9 and earlier require you to either use a QR code scanner, connect a computer to your phone, or root your device to see the actual password text.
  • If you have forgotten which network you connected to, Settings shows a list of all saved networks with the date you last connected.
  • A QR code containing your password is often the fastest way to share WiFi access with guests without typing the password aloud.

Viewing passwords on Android 10 and newer

Open Settings and go to Network and Internet (or Connections on some phones). Tap WiFi, then look for the network name you want the password for. Tap and hold the network name until a menu appears, then select Manage or View Details.

A new screen will show the network name, security type, and a Password field with the actual password visible in plain text. Some phones also show a QR code on this screen — if yours does, you can use that code to let someone else connect without typing the password. Take a screenshot of the QR code or the password field if you need to keep it for later.

Finding passwords on Android 9 and earlier

These older versions do not display passwords in Settings. Your options are to use a QR code, connect your phone to a computer, or root your device. The QR code method works if the network was set up by someone with a modern Android phone or if you have access to a QR code scanner app.

If you have a computer nearby, you can connect your phone to it via USB, enable file transfer mode, and navigate to Android/data/com.android.settings/files to find the wpa_supplicant.conf file. Open it with a text editor and search for the network name (called the SSID) — the password will be listed next to it as a long string of characters. This method requires no special permissions on your phone.

Using a QR code to share or retrieve the password

If the person who set up the network still has their phone, ask them to go to their WiFi settings, find the network, and generate a QR code. You can then scan that code with any QR code reader app (Google Lens, built into the camera app on many phones, works for this). The decoded text will include the password.

This is often faster than typing a long password, especially if the password contains special characters. It also avoids saying the password aloud where others might hear it. If you are the one sharing the network, this is the most convenient way to let guests connect.

What to do if you cannot remember which network you used

Go to Settings, then WiFi, and look at the list of saved networks. Android shows the date you last connected to each one, which helps you narrow down which network you need. If you see a network you do not recognize, you can tap it and select Forget to remove it from your saved list.

If you are trying to find the password for your own home network and you set it up on a router, you may find the default password on a sticker on the back or bottom of the router itself. If you changed it and cannot remember it, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds, which will restore the default password — but this will also erase any other settings you customized.

Rooting your phone to access system files directly

Rooting gives you full administrator access to your phone's operating system, which lets you browse and edit the wpa_supplicant.conf file directly. This is the most technical route and carries real risks: rooting can void your warranty, expose your phone to security vulnerabilities if done incorrectly, and make it harder to install system updates.

If you do choose to root, you will need a rooting tool specific to your phone model (common ones include Magisk and SuperSU). After rooting, you can use a file manager app with root permissions to navigate to /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf and view the file. This method is overkill for most people — the Settings method or QR code approach will solve the problem faster and safer.

Why Android hides passwords and what that means for your security

Android restricts access to saved passwords to prevent malicious apps from stealing them without your knowledge. When you grant an app permission to use WiFi, that does not automatically give it permission to read your saved passwords. This design choice protects you from apps that might otherwise harvest credentials for networks you use at home, work, or in public.

The trade-off is that you cannot easily retrieve a password you have forgotten, which is why Android provides the QR code option and why the Settings method on newer phones requires you to physically open the settings yourself. If you are concerned about someone else accessing your saved passwords, keep your phone locked with a PIN or biometric authentication — that is the main barrier between an intruder and your WiFi credentials.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see a saved WiFi password if I forgot it?

On Android 10 and newer, yes — go to Settings, WiFi, tap and hold the network name, and select Manage to see the password in plain text. On Android 9 and earlier, you will need to use a QR code, connect to a computer, or root your phone. If it is your own network, you can also reset the router to restore the default password.

Is it safe to let someone scan a QR code of my WiFi password?

Yes, a QR code is just an encoded version of your password — it is no less find than typing the password. The person scanning it will be able to connect to your network just as if you had told them the password aloud. If you want to revoke access later, change your WiFi password through your router settings.

What if I rooted my phone and now cannot update Android?

Rooted phones often cannot install system updates until you unroot them. If you rooted using Magisk, you can unroot through the Magisk app. If you used a different tool, look for an unroot option in that tool's app, or perform a factory reset to remove root access entirely. After unrooting, you should be able to update normally.

Can an app steal my saved WiFi passwords?

A well-designed app cannot access your saved passwords without your explicit permission. However, a malicious app with root access or one that exploits a security flaw could potentially read them. Keep your phone updated, avoid rooting unless necessary, and only install apps from the Google Play Store or other trusted sources.

Why does my phone not show the password even in Settings?

If you are on Android 9 or earlier, that version does not display passwords in Settings — you will need to use one of the other methods. If you are on Android 10 or newer and still cannot see it, make sure you are tapping and holding the network name (not just tapping once) and that you have selected the correct option from the menu that appears.