Video Tutorial:
Android phones have become one of the most widely used devices worldwide. With the constant need for internet connectivity, Wi-Fi has become an important component in the world of technology. Almost everyone who owns a smartphone has a Wi-Fi network they connect to, either at home, work, or in public. However, this also comes with the risk of forgetting your Wi-Fi password.
Losing the password to your Wi-Fi network can be frustrating and disheartening, but don’t worry! In this blog post, I will provide you with various methods that you can use to learn Wi-Fi passwords on your Android device.
What’s Needed
Before we dive into the methods, you need a rooted Android device, a file manager app, and common sense to avoid damaging your device. Rooting gives you administrative privileges that allow you to access system files, which are necessary to retrieve Wi-Fi passwords on Android devices.
What Requires Your Focus?
Learning the Wi-Fi password on your Android device will require your focus and patience. Some of the methods to learn Wi-Fi passwords may require you to use the command prompt or execute scripts, which may be intimidating to some users. However, with a little bit of focus and effort, you will be able to retrieve your Wi-Fi password without damaging your device.
Method 1: Using ES File Explorer
ES File Explorer is a popular file manager app available on the Google Play Store. ES File Explorer has an in-built root explorer that allows access to system files, which is necessary for retrieving Wi-Fi passwords on Android devices.
1. Download and install ES File Explorer from the Google Play Store.
2. Open the app and navigate to the main menu.
3. Select ‘Root Explorer’ and grant the app root permissions.
4. Navigate to the ‘data/misc/wifi’ folder in the root directory.
5. Open the ‘wpa_supplicant.conf’ file using the ES Note Editor.
6. Locate the Wi-Fi network name you want the password for and find the ‘psk’ value, which is the Wi-Fi password.
Pros:
- Easy to use, especially for users familiar with file manager apps.
- No need to download and install additional apps.
Cons:
- Requires root access to your Android device.
- May not work on all Android devices.
- The ‘wpa_supplicant.conf’ file may not have the Wi-Fi password stored in plaintext for certain devices.
Method 2: Using Wi-Fi Password Recovery (ROOT)
Wi-Fi Password Recovery is a free app that can help you recover your Wi-Fi passwords on Android devices. The app requires root access to your device to access system files, which are necessary to retrieve Wi-Fi passwords.
1. Download and install Wi-Fi Password Recovery (ROOT) from the Google Play Store.
2. Open the app and grant root permissions when prompted.
3. The app will automatically scan and display a list of Wi-Fi networks you’ve connected to and their passwords.
Pros:
- Easy to use and does not require any technical knowledge.
- Automatically scans and retrieves stored Wi-Fi passwords on your Android device.
Cons:
- Requires root access to your Android device.
- May not work on all Android devices.
Method 3: Using Terminal Emulator
Terminal Emulator is an Android app that emulates a terminal interface, similar to the command prompt on a Windows PC. This method involves using Terminal Emulator to execute commands to view system files that contain Wi-Fi passwords.
1. Download and install Terminal Emulator from the Google Play Store.
2. Open the app and grant root permissions when prompted.
3. Enter the command ‘su’ to gain root access to your device.
4. Enter the command ‘cat /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf’ to view the contents of the file, which contains the Wi-Fi passwords.
5. Locate the Wi-Fi network name you want the password for and find the ‘psk’ value, which is the Wi-Fi password.
Pros:
- Allows you to view the contents of system files on your Android device.
- Does not require the use of third-party apps.
Cons:
- Requires a basic understanding of command-line interfaces.
- May not work on all Android devices.
Method 4: Using ADB (Android Debug Bridge)
ADB is a command-line tool that facilitates communication between your Android device and a computer. ADB can be used to access system files on your device, and with the correct commands, retrieve Wi-Fi passwords.
1. Enable USB debugging on your Android device by going to ‘Settings > About Phone’ and tapping on the ‘Build number’ seven times to unlock Developer options. Then, go to ‘Settings > Developer options’ and turn on ‘USB debugging’.
2. Connect your Android device to your computer via USB cable.
3. Download and install the Android SDK platform-tools on your computer.
4. Open a Command Prompt/Terminal window on your computer and navigate to the directory containing the ADB executable.
5. Enter the command ‘adb shell’ to open a remote shell on the Android device connected to the computer.
6. Enter the command ‘su’ to gain root access to your device.
7. Enter the command ‘cat /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf’ to view the contents of the file, which contains the Wi-Fi passwords.
8. Locate the Wi-Fi network name you want the password for and find the ‘psk’ value, which is the Wi-Fi password.
Pros:
- Allows you to access system files on your Android device using a computer.
- Does not require the use of third-party apps on your Android device.
Cons:
- Requires a computer and a basic understanding of command-line interfaces.
- May not work on all Android devices.
Why Can’t I Learn Wifi Password on Android?
There are various reasons why you may not be able to retrieve the Wi-Fi password on your Android device. Here are some common reasons and fixes:
1. Your device is not rooted: As mentioned earlier, most of the methods to learn Wi-Fi passwords on Android require you to have root access to your device. If your device is not rooted, you will not be able to access system files, which are necessary to retrieve Wi-Fi passwords. To fix this, you will need to root your Android device using tools such as Kingroot or Magisk.
2. Wi-Fi network does not exist: If the Wi-Fi network that you’re trying to retrieve the password for does not exist anymore, you will not be able to retrieve the password using any of the above methods. In this case, you will need to contact the owner of the Wi-Fi network or re-connect to a new network.
3. File does not exist: In some cases, the ‘wpa_supplicant.conf’ file in the ‘data/misc/wifi/’ directory may not exist on your Android device. This is common in newer devices and Android versions. In this case, you can try using a third-party app such as Wi-Fi Password Recovery to retrieve the password.
Implications and Recommendations
Now that you know how to retrieve Wi-Fi passwords on your Android device, it’s important to remember that Wi-Fi passwords are sensitive information, and should only be shared with trusted individuals. Additionally, your Android device contains personal and sensitive data, and it’s important to keep it secure. Here are some recommendations:
1. Use a strong password and biometric authentication (such as fingerprint or face recognition) to protect your device from unauthorized access.
2. Do not share your Wi-Fi password with strangers or individuals you do not trust.
3. Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks unless necessary, as they are more susceptible to hacking attempts.
FAQs
Q: Can I learn Wi-Fi passwords on an Android device without rooting my device?
A: No, most of the methods to retrieve Wi-Fi passwords on Android require you to have root access to your device.
Q: Does Wi-Fi Password Recovery (ROOT) work on all Android devices?
A: No, Wi-Fi Password Recovery (ROOT) may not work on all Android devices due to differences in Android versions and root permissions.
Q: Is it legal to retrieve Wi-Fi passwords on Android devices?
A: Retrieving Wi-Fi passwords on Android devices that you own is legal. However, it’s important to remember that sharing or using Wi-Fi passwords without permission is illegal.
Q: What is rooting?
A: Rooting is the process of gaining administrative privileges on an Android device, allowing the user to access system files and modify the device’s software.
Q: Is it safe to root my Android device?
A: Rooting your Android device can expose it to security risks and potentially void the manufacturer’s warranty. Therefore, it’s important to weigh the risks and benefits before choosing to root your device.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, learning a Wi-Fi password on an Android device can be a daunting task, but with the right tools and methods, it’s possible. The methods outlined in this blog post require root access to your device, which can expose your device to security risks if not done correctly. Therefore, it’s important to follow the steps carefully and avoid using untrusted third-party apps. Remember to protect your Wi-Fi passwords and personal data by keeping your device secure, using strong authentication methods, and avoiding public Wi-Fi networks.