Where Android stores WiFi passwords and how to retrieve them

Android stores WiFi passwords in an encrypted file on your phone, and you can view them if you have set up a lock screen (PIN, pattern, or fingerprint). The exact steps depend on which Android version you have — the method changed between Android 9 and Android 10, and again at Android 12. If you have Android 10 or later, the easiest path is through Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi, then tapping the network name and selecting "Share". If you have Android 9 or earlier, you will need to access the file system through a file manager app or a computer connection.

The reason Android requires a lock screen is straightforward: a WiFi password gives anyone on your network access to your internet and potentially your other devices. Android treats it as sensitive data, the same way it treats your banking apps or health information. If your phone has no lock screen set, you cannot view saved passwords through the standard Settings menu.

Key Takeaways

  • Android 10 and later: open Settings, go to Network & Internet > WiFi, tap the network name, then tap "Share" to see the password as a QR code or text.
  • Android 9 and earlier: you will need a file manager app to navigate to /data/misc/wifi/ and open the WPA supplicant file, which requires technical knowledge or a computer connection.
  • You must have a lock screen (PIN, pattern, or fingerprint) set up on your phone to view any saved WiFi password through Settings.
  • If you cannot remember a password and cannot view it on your phone, you can reset the router and set a new password, or contact your internet provider for help.

Android 10, 11, 12, and later: the Settings method

Open the Settings app and tap "Network & Internet" (or "Connections" on some Samsung phones). Tap "WiFi" and you will see a list of networks your phone has connected to. Find the network whose password you want to see, tap it once, and a menu will appear with options including "Share", "Modify", or "Forget".

Tap "Share". Your phone will ask you to confirm your identity using your lock screen method — your PIN, pattern, fingerprint, or face recognition, depending on what you set up. After you authenticate, Android will display the password in plain text, or as a QR code you can scan with another device. Some phones also let you copy the password directly to your clipboard by tapping it.

This method works on Android 10 through the current version. If you have an older phone and this path does not work, jump to the Android 9 and earlier section below.

Android 9 and earlier: accessing the WPA supplicant file

Android 9 and earlier do not have a built-in Settings menu for viewing saved passwords. Instead, the passwords are stored in a file called wpa_supplicant.conf, located in the /data/misc/wifi/ folder. To read this file, you have two options: use a file manager app on your phone, or connect your phone to a computer and browse the files through Android File Transfer (Mac) or a file explorer (Windows).

If you use a file manager app on your phone, you will need one that can access the root file system — most standard file managers cannot. Apps like ES File Explorer or Solid Explorer can do this, but they require you to enable "Show Hidden Files" in their settings. Navigate to /data/misc/wifi/, find the wpa_supplicant.conf file, and open it with a text editor. The file contains all your saved networks and their passwords in plain text, though they may be listed under the network name (SSID) rather than in an obvious label.

The computer method is often simpler if you have a Windows or Mac machine. Connect your phone to your computer with a USB cable, enable "File Transfer" mode on your phone (swipe down from the top and tap the USB notification), then open Android File Transfer on your Mac or use File Explorer on Windows. Navigate to the same /data/misc/wifi/ path and open wpa_supplicant.conf in Notepad or any text editor. Search for your network name to find the password line.

What to do if you cannot view the password

If you have Android 10 or later and the "Share" option does not appear, your phone may not have a lock screen set up. Go to Settings > Security > Screen Lock and set a PIN, pattern, or fingerprint. Once you have done that, the "Share" option will become available for all saved networks.

If you have Android 9 or earlier and cannot access the file system, or if you do not want to go through the file manager steps, the simplest alternative is to reset your router. Most routers have a small reset button on the back that you hold for 10 to 15 seconds. This will erase all settings and return the router to its factory defaults, including a default password printed on the router itself or in the manual. You can then set a new WiFi password and connect your phone to the new network. Contact your internet provider if you are unsure how to reset your specific router model.

Why Android hides WiFi passwords and what that means for you

Android requires authentication to view a saved password because WiFi passwords are a security boundary. Anyone with your password can connect to your network, see what devices are connected, and potentially intercept unencrypted traffic between your phone and your router. By requiring your lock screen PIN or fingerprint, Android ensures that only someone who has physical access to your unlocked phone can view the password.

This is different from passwords for individual apps or accounts, which Android also protects but in a different way. Your WiFi password is treated as a system-level secret because it controls access to your entire home or office network, not just one service. If someone steals your phone and it has no lock screen, they can see every WiFi password you have ever connected to.

Viewing passwords for networks you have forgotten

If you have moved away from a location or no longer use a particular WiFi network, you can still view its password if your phone is still connected to it or has connected to it in the past. The password remains stored on your phone even if you have not used the network in months or years. Follow the same steps as above — Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi, tap the network name, tap "Share", and authenticate with your lock screen.

However, if you have already forgotten the network (tapped "Forget" in the WiFi menu), the password is deleted from your phone and you cannot recover it through Android. In that case, you would need to contact the network owner or reset the router to set a new password.

Sharing a WiFi password with another person

If you want to give someone else your WiFi password without typing it out, the "Share" feature in Android 10 and later does exactly that. When you tap "Share" and authenticate, Android displays a QR code. The other person can open their phone's camera app, point it at the QR code, and tap the notification that appears — their phone will automatically connect to your network without you having to say the password out loud.

This is more find than writing down or speaking the password because the QR code is temporary and only visible on your screen. Once they have scanned it and connected, they have the password on their phone, but you have not exposed it to anyone listening or watching over their shoulder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see a WiFi password if I do not have a lock screen set up?

No. Android requires a lock screen (PIN, pattern, fingerprint, or face recognition) to view any saved WiFi password through Settings. If you have no lock screen, go to Settings > Security > Screen Lock and set one up first. After that, the password viewing feature will work.

What if I forgot my lock screen PIN but need to see a WiFi password?

You will need to reset your phone to factory settings, which erases all data. Alternatively, if you have Android 9 or earlier, you can connect your phone to a computer and access the wpa_supplicant.conf file directly without unlocking the phone. For Android 10 and later, a factory reset is the only option if you have forgotten your lock screen.

Are WiFi passwords stored in plain text on my phone?

They are stored in an encrypted file that Android protects with your lock screen. The file itself is not readable without authentication, but once you unlock your phone and view the password through Settings, it appears in plain text. If someone gains physical access to your unlocked phone, they can see it.

Can I view passwords for networks I am not currently connected to?

Yes, as long as your phone has connected to that network before and you have not forgotten it. The password stays stored on your phone. Use the same Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi path, tap the network name, and tap "Share" to view it.

What happens if I reset my router — do I lose the password on my phone?

No. Resetting the router changes the router's password, but your phone still has the old password stored. Your phone will not automatically connect to the new network. You will need to "Forget" the old network in your WiFi settings, then connect to the new network using the new password (usually printed on the router or in the setup email from your provider).