So, you’ve forgotten your wifi password and don’t have it stored anywhere but your phone? Or maybe you just don’t want to have to get up and check on your computer to find out your password?
Well, luckily it is possible to find out your wifi password on Android. However, it isn’t easy. In fact, it is significantly easier to find the password on a computer so this guide is only really worth it if you don’t have your password stored anywhere else.
Finding & Showing The Wi-Fi Password Android
Rooting Your Phone
The first thing you will have to do is root your Android device. Now before you do this, let’s take a look at the possible advantages of disadvantages of rooting your device.
First, the advantages:
- You will gain full access to the system directory
- Delete apps that you don’t want that are built into the system
- Manually backup app or game data
- Allow you to find your wifi password
Of course, if it was all advantages, it would just be enabled on every phone.
Rooting your phone has a number of disadvantages including:
- Installing the wrong app or changing the wrong files can cause system problems
- Security could be a problem
- Some apps won’t work
- Can void your warranty
Because of this, before rooting your Android you should really think carefully about whether or not it is something you want to do.
When it comes to actually rooting your device, you will likely need to change the settings of your phone to allow the root to take place, and then install an app to actually perform the root. Exactly how you do this will depend on the phone you are using.
Finding Your Password
So, if you have decided that the benefits of rooting your phone outweigh the risks, then it is time to move on to how to find your wifi password. To do this, you will need to use file management software to access the file that contains your password.
This file should be called “wpa_supplicant.conf” if your network uses wpa security or “wep_supplicant.conf” if your network uses wep security. You should be able to find this file at “data/misc/file folder”.
Once you have the file, simply open it up using a text editor and you will be able to read your password! Now you have it, make sure to make a note for next time.
Other Methods
If you don’t want to root your Android phone. There are still things you can do, even if you don’t have any other connected devices. This is assuming you have access to the wireless router/access point!
One easy method is to connect a PC to your router via Ethernet cable and then log into the router’s management software. To do this, you will simply have to enter the router’s IP address into a web browser and then type in the router’s username and password.
- How To Find Your Router's IP Address
- What Is The SSID On My Router?
- How To Find The Wifi Network Key (Windows)
Oftentimes, within the 'Wireless Settings' the wireless password will be displayed in plain text.?
The good thing about this method is that even if you don’t know the above information, assuming you haven’t changed it, the default IP address and login details can usually easily to be found online.
Hopefully this article has given you some helpful tips about how to use an Android phone to find your wifi password. While it may not be as easy as on a laptop or computer, it is certainly still possible if you are really desperate.
If you have any questions about anything in this article, please ask below!