Where to find your hotspot name setting

Your iPhone's hotspot name — called the SSID — is the network name that appears when someone looks for available Wi-Fi networks near you. By default, Apple sets it to your iPhone's device name, which often includes your full name or a generic label. You can change it to anything you want in Settings.

Open Settings on your iPhone, then tap General. Scroll down and tap About. At the top of the About screen, you will see Name — this is what appears as your hotspot name. The hotspot name and your device name are the same thing on iPhone, so changing one changes the other.

To actually change it, go back to the main Settings screen, tap General again, then tap About at the bottom. Tap the current name at the top, and a text field will appear. Delete the old name and type the new one.

Key Takeaways

  • Your hotspot name is your iPhone's device name, found in Settings > General > About > Name.
  • Changing your device name in About automatically changes what people see when they search for your hotspot.
  • You can use any name you want — it does not have to contain your real name or any personal information.
  • The change takes effect when ready, and anyone trying to connect will see the new name the next time they scan for networks.

Why you might want to change your hotspot name

The default hotspot name often includes your real name or a device identifier that tells people something about you. If you share your hotspot in public places — at a coffee shop, airport, or while traveling — a generic name like "iPhone" or "Traveler" reveals less about who you are than "Sarah's iPhone" or "John-iPhone-12-Pro".

A less identifiable name also makes it harder for someone to target your specific device if they are looking for a particular person's network. While changing the name alone does not find your hotspot, it is one step in controlling what information you broadcast to anyone within Wi-Fi range.

What name to choose

Pick something that does not identify you by name, location, or device type. "iPhone" or "Mobile Hotspot" works fine. Some people use a phrase like "Coffee Shop Guest" or "Temporary Network" if they are sharing the hotspot in a specific context. Avoid names that include your real name, your address, your workplace, or any other personal detail.

The name can be up to 32 characters long, so you have room to be specific without being identifying. For example, "Guest Network 2" tells people what it is without telling them who owns it.

How the change affects people already connected

If someone is already connected to your hotspot when you change the name, they will stay connected. The next time they try to reconnect — after disconnecting or restarting their device — they will need to look for the new network name and enter the password again.

The password itself does not change when you rename the hotspot. If you want to change the password at the same time, go to Settings > General > About, tap Wi-Fi Password, and enter a new one. This is a good time to do both changes together so people only have to reconnect once.

Changing your hotspot name on older iPhone models

The steps are the same on iPhone 6 and later. Older models follow the same path: Settings > General > About > Name. If you have an iPhone 5s or earlier, the process is identical — the only difference is that older phones may take a moment longer to explore the change.

If you are using iOS 16 or later, the steps above explore exactly. If you are on an older iOS version, the path is still Settings > General > About, but the interface may look slightly different. The name field is always in the same place.

Resetting your hotspot name to the default

If you want to go back to your original hotspot name, you can change it again in the same way. Go to Settings > General > About > Name and type whatever you want. There is no "reset to default" button — you have to manually type the name you want.

If you cannot remember what your original name was, you can check your Apple ID settings or look at your device name in iCloud. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud, and your device name appears at the top. That is the name currently being broadcast as your hotspot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my hotspot name affect my Wi-Fi password?

No. The password stays the same unless you change it separately in Settings > General > About > Wi-Fi Password. You can change the name and password independently, or change both at once if you want a fresh start.

Can I use special characters or emojis in my hotspot name?

You can use most special characters, but some devices may not display them correctly. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, and common punctuation like hyphens or underscores. Emojis may work on newer iPhones but could cause problems for older devices trying to connect.

Will my hotspot name change affect my regular Wi-Fi network at home?

No. Your hotspot name is separate from any home Wi-Fi network you connect to. Changing your iPhone's hotspot name does not touch your home router or any other network settings.

How long does it take for the new hotspot name to show up?

The change takes effect when ready. Anyone scanning for networks will see the new name within a few seconds. If someone is already connected, they will see the change reflected in their device's Wi-Fi settings right away.

Can I see what my hotspot name is without going into Settings?

Yes. Ask someone nearby to look for available Wi-Fi networks on their phone or computer. Your hotspot name will appear in that list. You can also check it in Settings > General > About > Name at any time.