In This Article
Viewing a saved Wi-Fi password on Android has been a built-in feature since Android 10. On Android 15 and 16, the path is two taps: Settings, Network and internet, tap the saved network, Share. You get a QR code and the plaintext password below it. No root, no third-party app needed.
We will cover the official path, the QR code share option (which is genuinely useful for guests), the Pixel-specific Network Details panel, and what to do if you need to recover a password from a phone whose original Settings flow is broken.
TL;DR
The pick: Settings, Network and internet, tap the network, Share. QR code on top, password in plaintext below.
Runner-up: On Pixel, Settings, Network and internet, Internet, tap the gear next to a network, Share for the same screen.
Skip if: Skip third-party Wi-Fi password viewer apps; they all want Accessibility permission and most are malware.
The built-in Share flow on Android 15 and 16
Open Settings, Network and internet (or Connections on Galaxy), Wi-Fi. Tap the network whose password you want. On the network details screen, tap the Share button (it looks like a QR code). You get a QR code; below it is the plaintext password.
Android prompts for your screen-lock PIN or biometric to confirm before showing the password. This is the password actually stored on the device, current as of the last time you connected to that network.
Save passwords across devices via your Google account
Wi-Fi networks you connect to on a Pixel or any Android 12+ device sync to your Google account if you have Settings, Google, Backup, Back up by Google One turned on. A new phone signed into the same account auto-connects to the same networks without you re-entering passwords.
You can view the synced list at passwords.google.com or in Chrome on desktop, Settings, Passwords, Saved passwords. Look for the Wi-Fi: prefix on entries.
Sharing with a guest via QR code
The same Share screen produces a QR code that any modern Android (and recent iPhone in iOS 18+) can scan to auto-connect. Print and post it for repeat guests, or display it on a tablet near the door. The guest never sees the plaintext password; the QR contains the encrypted handshake data.
If you want to keep the actual password hidden but still let guests on the Wi-Fi, this is the cleanest path. Modern routers also support a separate guest network with its own QR; this is the better answer for frequent visitors.
Older devices and broken Settings
On Android 9 and earlier (rare but still in circulation on some budget phones), the Settings flow does not include the Share button. You need either ADB access from a desktop (adb shell cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml requires root) or a fresh sign-in to your Google account on a newer device.
If your Settings app itself is crashing, factory reset is overkill. Clear Settings cache (Settings, Apps, Settings, Storage, Clear cache) and retry. If that fails, Google account sync to a different device gets you the passwords back.
The setup, step by step
- 1
Open Settings, Network and internet
On Galaxy this is labelled Connections.
- 2
Tap Wi-Fi, then the saved network
You should see network details.
- 3
Tap Share
Authenticate with PIN or biometric.
- 4
Read the QR code and plaintext password
Below the QR is the password in text.
FAQ
Does this work without root?
Yes. The Share flow has been built into Android since version 10 (2019). No root needed.
Why is the Share button missing on my device?
Either the device is Android 9 or earlier, or the manufacturer’s skin hides it. Open the network’s full details to find it.
Will the QR code work for iPhones?
Yes, iOS 18 and later scan Android-generated Wi-Fi QR codes natively. Older iPhones may not.
Can I see passwords for networks I never connected to?
No. Only networks the device has connected to at some point are saved.
The verdict
Viewing saved Wi-Fi passwords on Android is a built-in feature, two taps deep in Settings. The Share QR code is even better for guests because it does not expose the plaintext password. Skip the third-party viewer apps; they were already redundant in 2019 and are mostly malware now.
