If you’re a Xiaomi phone user and you’ve forgotten your WiFi password, don’t panic. Your phone actually stores all the networks you’ve connected to, and with a few taps or a simple app, you can get that password back. This guide is for anyone who owns a Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO device running MIUI. By the end, you’ll know how to recover any saved WiFi password using built-in tools or free apps.
We’ll cover three methods: the easy QR code trick in your WiFi settings, using a recovery app from the Play Store, and a more advanced ADB method for tech-savvy users. No root required for the first two methods. Let’s dive in!
What You’ll Need
- A Xiaomi phone (any model with MIUI 12 or later)
- Active WiFi connection to the network you want to recover (or at least saved in your phone)
- Optional: A computer with ADB installed for the advanced method
- Optional: Internet connection to download a recovery app from the Play Store
Step 1: Use the Built-in QR Code Method
Xiaomi’s MIUI has a handy feature that lets you share WiFi passwords via QR code. The trick is that the QR code actually contains the password in plain text, so you can read it right from the image.
Go to Settings > Wi-Fi. Tap on the network you’re currently connected to (or a saved network) – it’ll show a details screen. Look for a QR code icon or a “Share” button. Tap it, and a QR code will appear. Now, take a screenshot of that QR code. Use any QR code scanner app or your phone’s built-in scanner (from the control center) to scan the screenshot. The decoded text will show the SSID and password, usually in the format “WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:password123;;”. Copy the password part.
Step 2: Try a Dedicated Recovery App
If the QR code method doesn’t work (some MIUI versions hide the QR for saved but not connected networks), you can use a third-party app. There are many free apps on the Play Store that can display saved WiFi passwords. One reliable option is “WiFi Password Recovery” by appvalley. This app can show all saved networks and their passwords without root on most Xiaomi devices.
Install the app, open it, and grant the required permission (usually location or nearby devices). The app will list all saved networks. Tap on any network to reveal its password. You can also copy it to clipboard. For a comparison of the best wifi password recovery software, check out our guide. If you prefer a fast wifi password recovery utility, that tool works great too.
Step 3: Use ADB Commands (Advanced)
For those comfortable with tech, you can pull the WiFi configuration file using ADB. This method works on any Xiaomi phone with USB debugging enabled.
First, enable Developer options: go to Settings > About phone > tap MIUI version 7 times. Then go to Developer options and enable USB debugging. Connect your phone to a computer with ADB installed. Open a terminal/command prompt and run: adb shell. Then run: su (if you have root) or use this workaround: cat /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml. If you don’t have root, you may need to pull the file using: adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml. Open the XML file in a text editor and search for “PreSharedKey” – the password is in base64 encoded form. Decode it online or use a base64 decoder.
Note: This method requires USB debugging enabled and may not work on all MIUI versions without root. For a more detailed wifi password recovery software comparison, see our article.
Common Pitfalls
- MIUI restrictions: Some Xiaomi models (especially newer ones) hide the QR code share option for saved networks that aren’t currently connected. Try connecting to the network first to make the QR code appear.
- App permissions: Recovery apps often require location or nearby device permissions to list saved networks. If you deny these, the app won’t work. Go to Settings > Apps > Permissions to grant them.
- No root access: Many recovery apps claim to work without root, but some may still fail on certain MIUI versions. The ADB method without root may also be blocked. In those cases, consider using a different device or method.
Where to Next
Now you know how to recover WiFi passwords on your Xiaomi phone. If you need to recover passwords on other devices, check out our guides for recovering WiFi on Huawei routers or recovering via network manager. Also, if you’re looking for a premium tool that works across many platforms, the wifi password recovery premium guide might help. Stay connected!
