Since you’ve had your Android device, you’ve most likely connected to several Wi-Fi networks, and your phone or tablet kept track of each one. Every time you enter a Wi-Fi password, your Android smartphone remembers it for safekeeping and future access, whether it’s from a connection at home, work, school, outdoor locations, or even from a friend’s phone.
However, a difficulty arises when you actually want to see the password for one of the Wi-Fi networks you’ve previously connected to. This is because you won’t be able to see the password in plain text even if you check your already connected device.
There’s an easy way to get around this, and we’ve created this article to guide you. So, keep reading this guide to find out.
How Do I See Passwords for Connected Wi-Fi Networks in Plain Text on My Android Device?
You might expect to be able to see the password on your already connected Android phone or tablet if you can’t acquire it from the source, but viewing the saved Wi-Fi network in your settings app will typically not provide the password in plain text.
Although it is not immediately apparent, you can find the Wi-Fi network’s plain text password in the device’s settings. It will be much less evident if you use an Android-skinned phone or tablet, like a Samsung Galaxy, as opposed to utilizing full Android on, say, a Google Pixel model. In either case, finding cached Wi-Fi passwords will be significantly more straightforward than on an iPhone or iPad – at least, prior to iOS and iPadOS 16.
Depending on your specific device, you can follow the instructions we’ve provided to help you see passwords for connected Wi-Fi networks in plain text.
Stock Android 10 and Higher Devices
On stock Android 10 and higher devices, locating the plain text password for a saved Wi-Fi network is the simplest task. No root, not even an additional app, is required.
All of Google’s Pixel smartphones are capable of running Android 10 and later, and several OEMs participating in the Android One program offer smartphones that can do the same. LG, Nokia, Motorola, and Xiaomi are a few examples.
To see passwords for saved Wi-Fi networks on these devices:
- Go to Settings and select the Wi-Fi or Internet section.
- Choose a network from “Saved networks” or tap the active network.
- The network name will be underneath. Tap “Share.”
- If your device has security settings, you must verify your identity.
- Look under the QR code to see the password in plain text.
Android 10 and Upwards on Samsung Galaxy Devices
Many things look and function differently once Samsung installs a skin called One UI to the core Android operating system, including receiving saved Wi-Fi network passwords in plain text. On Galaxy devices running previous versions of Android, there may be methods for viewing the plain text password, but the method that is given here is the simplest for devices running Android 10 and higher.
Take note of the following instructions for such devices:
- Go to Settings and select the “Connections” option.
- Hit the “Wi-Fi” submenu button.
- For the present network, turn the cog.
- Select “QR code.”
- To save the code to your gallery, select “Save as image”.
- You’ll be able to open the image in Google Photos or Google Lens.
- Click on the Lens icon in Google Photos or open the image in Google Lens.
- If necessary, extend the crop past the QR code’s edge.
- View the password in plain text in the results.
Non-Rooted Devices Running Android 6 to Android 9
Unlike the Android devices described above, the majority of smartphones and tablets operating stock or skinned versions of Android 9 and lower are unable to create QR codes with embedded Wi-Fi network credentials. For Wi-Fi hotspots, there are programs that can help you produce QR codes, but you would need to know the password, so these apps are basically useless if you don’t know it.
The file that contains saved Wi-Fi credentials is located in a protected directory on Android 9 and before, and you can only access this file if you’re rooted. However, you can employ the Google Lens app or Lens in Google Photos to scan a QR code for a Wi-Fi access point and retrieve the password if you have received the code from another device.
If you choose to use the Google Lens app, follow these steps:
- Launch the Google Lens app by tapping its symbol on the home screen widget, the Google app, or both.
- Choose the option to “Search with your camera” or choose an image from your gallery.
- Click the shutter button on the camera while aiming it at the QR code.
- If necessary, extend the crop past the QR code’s edge.
- To view the password in plain form, pull up the results.
If you choose to use the Google Photos app, follow these steps:
- Launch the Google Photos application.
- Pick the desired picture from your gallery.
- On the picture, click “Lens.”
- If necessary, extend the crop past the QR code’s edge.
- To view the password in plain form, display the results.
Rooted Devices Running Android 4.4 to Android 9
The only method to view the passwords for your stored Wi-Fi networks on a phone running Android 9.0 Pie or lower is through a root app. The best results will be obtained if you have TWRP set up and installed Magisk for root using that.
Many apps on the Play Store make the promise to display your Wi-Fi passwords, however, only Wi-Fi Password Viewer by SimoneDev was shown by experts to function on all devices.
WiFi Password Viewer will ask for Superuser access when it is first launched. The pop-up’s “Grant” button will take you to a list of all the Wi-Fi networks you’ve ever connected to, each of which will have a password listed beneath it.
Your list may be rather long if you’ve connected to a lot of different Wi-Fi networks while owning your Android device. If so, you can use the search icon in the top-right corner to look for a specific Wi-Fi network.
In summary, if you ever need to connect a second device to a Wi-Fi connection you’ve already connected one Android smartphone to, you can use the instructions we’ve provided in this guide to see the Wi-Fi password in plain text.
Make sure to follow the instructions specific to your Android device, and also consider recommending this guide to other Android users you know who may need it.
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