Android smartphones nowadays have become a critical part of our lives, as it allows us to stay connected with the world. One of the most common tasks we often do on our phones is connecting to Wi-Fi networks. Sometimes, we may forget the Wi-Fi password of the networks we have saved on our device. In such cases, you may wonder how you can retrieve the saved Wi-Fi passwords. In this post, we will discuss some methods to know the saved Wi-Fi password on Android devices.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of How to Know The Saved Wifi Password in Android
Forgetting the password of the Wi-Fi network that you have saved on your device can be a frustrating experience. Sometimes, you might need to access the Wi-Fi network on another device or share the password with someone else. Whatever the reason behind knowing the saved Wi-Fi password, it can be challenging to retrieve it from your Android device. However, there are some methods that you can use to get the password, which we will discuss below.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before proceeding with the methods to know the saved Wi-Fi password on Android, there are some things that you need to prepare for:
- Your Android device
- Root access to your device (root access is required for some methods)
- A file manager app (like ES File Explorer)
- A terminal emulator app (like Termux)
- Patiently follow the instructions mentioned below
Method 1: Via the Router Settings Page
If you have connected your Android device to a Wi-Fi network before, the saved password can be found in the router settings page. Follow the steps mentioned below to retrieve the password:
Explanation:
- Open Chrome browser on your device.
- Enter your router’s IP address in the search bar and press Enter. (If you don’t know your router’s IP address, check for a sticker that has the IP address at the back of the router)
- Enter your router’s username and password to log in. (If you haven’t changed the default login credentials of your router, you can find them in the router’s user manual.)
- Once you are logged in to the router settings page, look for the Wireless or Wi-Fi settings option.
- Under the Wireless or Wi-Fi settings, look for the Password or Security key section.
- The saved Wi-Fi password of your Android device will be displayed in the Password or Security key section.
Pros:
- Easy to retrieve the password without root access.
Cons:
- The method requires access to the router’s settings page, which may be difficult for some users to access, especially if you don’t remember the login credentials.
- You’ll need to be connected to the Wi-Fi network to access the router settings page.
Method 2: Via ES File Explorer
If your Android device is rooted, you can use ES File Explorer to retrieve the saved Wi-Fi password. ES File Explorer is a popular file manager app that allows you to explore and access the files on your device. Here are the steps to follow:
Explanation:
- Download ES File Explorer from the Google Play Store or any other app store.
- Open the app and go to the root directory of your device.
- Navigate to data/misc/wifi folder.
- Look for a file named wpa_supplicant.conf and open it using the built-in text editor.
- You will see a list of all the Wi-Fi networks that you have connected to before, along with their passwords.
- Scroll down to find the Wi-Fi network for which you’re looking for the password.
- The password will be mentioned next to the SSID of the Wi-Fi network under the psk section.
Pros:
- Easy to retrieve the password if your Android device is rooted.
- No need for an internet connection or access to the router’s settings.
Cons:
- Rooting your device can void the warranty and may cause security vulnerabilities.
- You will need some technical knowledge to root your device.
- The method may not work on some devices.
Method 3: Via Termux App
Another method to retrieve the saved Wi-Fi password on your Android device is to use the Termux app. Termux is a terminal emulator app that allows you to access the command line interface on your Android device. You can use the cat command to view the password. Follow the steps mentioned below:
Explanation:
- Download the Termux app from the Google Play Store or any other app store.
- Open the app and type the following command and press Enter:
cat /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf - A list of all the saved Wi-Fi networks will be displayed along with their passwords.
- Find the Wi-Fi network for which you’re looking for the password.
- The password will be mentioned next to the SSID of the Wi-Fi network under the psk section.
Pros:
- The method works even if your device is not rooted.
- You can retrieve the password using a simple command.
Cons:
- The method requires you to download and use a command-line interface app.
- If you’re not familiar with command-line interfaces, the method may be difficult to use.
Why Can’t I Know the Saved Wifi Password in Android?
There are several reasons why you may not be able to know the saved Wi-Fi password in Android. Here are some of the common reasons and their fixes:
1. Lack of Root Access:
If your Android device is not rooted, you will not be able to access the Wi-Fi password using methods like ES File Explorer.
Fix:
To retrieve the saved Wi-Fi password using ES File Explorer, you need to root your device first.
2. Outdated Android Version:
If your Android device is running an outdated version, some methods might not work. For example, the method to retrieve the password using the router settings page may not work on older Android versions.
Fix:
Update your Android device to the latest version and try the method again. Alternatively, you can try other methods mentioned in this post.
3. Permission Issues:
Sometimes, permission issues can prevent you from retrieving the saved Wi-Fi password using the Terminal app or other methods.
Fix:
Grant the necessary permissions to the apps you’re using to retrieve the saved Wi-Fi password. For example, if you’re using Termux, grant storage permission to the app.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips that you can follow to retrieve the saved Wi-Fi password on your Android device:
- Try asking the owner of the Wi-Fi network for the password.
- Write down the password whenever you connect to a new Wi-Fi network to avoid forgetting it in the future.
- Use a password manager app to store your Wi-Fi passwords securely.
5 FAQs about How to Know The Saved Wifi Password in Android
Q1. Can I retrieve the saved Wi-Fi password without rooting my Android device?
A1. Yes, you can retrieve the saved Wi-Fi password using the router settings page without rooting your device.
Q2. What should I do if I forget the login credentials of my router?
A2. If you forget the login credentials of your router, you can reset it to its default settings. However, resetting the router will erase all the settings and configurations.
Q3. Can I use a third-party app to retrieve the saved Wi-Fi password on my Android device?
A3. Yes, there are several third-party apps that claim to retrieve the saved Wi-Fi password on Android devices. However, be cautious while using such apps as they may contain malware or viruses.
Q4. Is it legal to root my Android device?
A4. Yes, it is legal to root your Android device. However, note that rooting your device can void the warranty and may cause security vulnerabilities.
Q5. Will I lose my saved Wi-Fi passwords if I update my Android device?
A5. No, your saved Wi-Fi passwords will not be lost if you update your Android device. The network settings will remain intact even after the update.
In Conclusion
Knowing the saved Wi-Fi password on your Android device can be useful in several situations. In this post, we discussed some methods to retrieve the saved Wi-Fi password, such as using the router settings page, ES File Explorer, and the Termux app. We also discussed some common reasons why you might not be able to retrieve the saved Wi-Fi password and their fixes. Remember to be cautious while handling sensitive information like Wi-Fi passwords and avoid using third-party apps that claim to retrieve the saved passwords.