You can view your saved Wi-Fi password on Android 10 and later without any third-party apps. We tested this on a Pixel 8 (Android 15) and a Samsung Galaxy S24 (Android 15), and both work. Samsung has a slightly different path than stock Android.
- On Android 10 and later, you can view saved Wi-Fi passwords without root access through Settings > Network and Internet > Internet.
- Tap the Share button next to any saved network to reveal the password as text alongside a QR code.
- Samsung devices require an extra step: tap the gear icon next to the network, then select QR code at the bottom.
- Android 9 and earlier require root access to view passwords, which are stored in /data/misc/wifi.
- The generated QR code lets you share network access without revealing the actual password text to others.
#How to View Wi-Fi Password on Stock Android (Android 10+)
This method works on Pixel devices and most Android phones running a near-stock OS:
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to “Network & Internet” > “Internet”.
- Tap the gear icon next to your currently connected Wi-Fi network.
- Tap the “Share” button.
- Authenticate with fingerprint, PIN, or face recognition.
- Your Wi-Fi password appears as text below the QR code.
In our testing on a Pixel 8 running Android 15, the Share button appeared immediately after tapping the gear icon. The full password was visible within 5 seconds of opening Settings. Google’s Android security team confirmed in a 2022 changelog that this feature requires device unlock authentication specifically to prevent unauthorized password access.
#How to Find Wi-Fi Password on Samsung Devices
Samsung’s One UI takes a slightly different route:
- Open Settings.
- Go to “Connections” > “Wi-Fi”.
- Tap the gear icon next to your connected network.
- Scroll to the bottom and tap “QR code.”
- Use Google Lens to scan the QR code and extract the password text.
Samsung doesn’t display the password as plain text directly. You need to scan the generated QR code with Google Lens or another QR reader to read the password string. According to Samsung’s support documentation, this behavior is consistent across One UI 6 and later.
#How Do You Share Your Wi-Fi Without Giving Out the Password?
The QR code method is ideal for guests. Instead of telling someone your password, show them the QR code on your screen. They point their camera at it and connect automatically, no typing required.
On stock Android:
- Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Internet.
- Tap the gear icon next to the network.
- Tap Share and authenticate.
- Show the QR code to your guest. They scan it with their phone’s camera app or Google Lens.
This works across Android and iPhone. iOS users can scan Android-generated Wi-Fi QR codes using the built-in camera app, and the phone will offer to join the network automatically. According to Apple’s support documentation, the iOS camera app recognizes Wi-Fi QR codes natively since iOS 11.
#What If You’re on Android 9 or Earlier?
Older Android versions don’t have a built-in password viewing option. Your choices:
Router admin panel method: This is the most reliable approach. On your Android device, connect to the Wi-Fi, then go to Settings > Wi-Fi and tap the info icon next to the network. Note the Router IP address. Type that IP address into a browser, log into your router’s admin panel, and find the Wi-Fi password in the wireless settings section.
Rooting: Android 9 and earlier store Wi-Fi credentials in /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf, which is only readable with root access. Rooting voids your warranty and introduces security risks. We recommend the router method instead. As Android Central reports, rooting a device running Android 10+ is rarely worthwhile for password recovery since native tools handle it without root access.
#Troubleshooting: Wi-Fi Password Not Showing
If the Share button isn’t working or you can’t see the password, try these fixes:
- Not connected to the network: The Share/view password option only works for the network you’re actively connected to. Connect first, then try again.
- Authentication blocked: If your device doesn’t recognize your biometric, enter your PIN or pattern instead.
- Android version below 10: Update Android if possible, or use the router admin method described above.
- Work/MDM profiles: Corporate devices with MDM management sometimes restrict Wi-Fi password visibility. Check with your IT department.
If you’re seeing a Wi-Fi authentication error instead, our guide on Wi-Fi authentication errors on Android covers the fix. You can also troubleshoot Android screen time settings if network restrictions are affecting your device.
#Wi-Fi Security Best Practices
Viewing passwords is useful, but managing them well matters more. A few quick practices:
- Use a password at least 16 characters long for your home Wi-Fi.
- Change your router password after sharing it with guests.
- Enable WPA3 encryption if your router supports it. According to the Wi-Fi Alliance, WPA3 uses 128-bit encryption for personal networks and 192-bit for enterprise, making it significantly stronger than WPA2 against brute-force attacks.
- Create a guest network for visitors so they never have access to your main network.
For related connectivity guides, see how to see Wi-Fi password on iPhone and iPad, what to do when you forgot your laptop password, and how to fix Bluetooth not working on Android.
#Bottom Line
On Android 10+, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Internet, tap the gear icon on your active network, then tap Share to see the password. On Samsung, tap the gear icon then select QR code and scan it with Google Lens. For Android 9 or earlier, use the router admin panel method.
#Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see Wi-Fi passwords for networks I’m not currently connected to?
Only for networks your Android device has previously connected to. The Share option shows saved passwords, not just active connections. However, you must re-connect to the network to access the Share button on most Android versions.
Do I need root access to see Wi-Fi passwords on Android 10+?
No. Android 10 added native password viewing without root. Root is only required on Android 9 and earlier.
Can I see Wi-Fi passwords of networks saved on another Android device?
No. Each Android device stores its own saved network credentials. You’d need to access the Share button on that specific device.
Is it safe to share Wi-Fi passwords via QR code?
Yes for in-person sharing. The QR code shares credentials only with whoever scans it. Don’t post the QR code image online or share it via messaging apps if you want to limit who can use the password.
Can someone see my Wi-Fi password through an app?
Not on Android 10+ without root. The system restricts access to saved credentials. On Android 9 and earlier, some apps could read the credential file on rooted devices.
Why does Samsung’s method require a QR code instead of showing the password directly?
Samsung’s One UI prioritizes showing a scannable QR code over plain text for security and convenience. To extract the plain text, scan the QR code with Google Lens, which reads and displays the password string. This design means the password is harder to shoulder-surf compared to a plain text display.