Change your hotspot name in iPhone Settings

Open Settings on your iPhone, then tap General. Scroll down and tap About. At the top of the About screen, you'll see Name — this is the name your hotspot broadcasts. Tap the name field, delete the current text, type your new name, and tap Done. Your hotspot will now show this new name when other devices search for networks to join.

The name you set here is what appears to anyone trying to connect to your hotspot. It's also called your device name or SSID (the technical term for a network's broadcast name). Changing it takes about 30 seconds and doesn't affect your hotspot's password or connection speed.

Key Takeaways

  • Your iPhone's hotspot name comes from the device name you set in Settings > General > About.
  • Changing the name in About automatically changes what your hotspot broadcasts — no separate hotspot settings menu exists for this.
  • The new name appears within seconds on other devices searching for networks.
  • Changing the name does not reset your hotspot password or disconnect devices already using it.
  • A clear, recognizable name helps you identify your hotspot on shared networks, while an obscure name offers no real security benefit.

Why you might want to change your hotspot name

By default, your iPhone broadcasts a hotspot name like "John's iPhone" or "iPhone 14 Pro." If you're on a shared network — a hotel, office, or apartment building — your real name or device model is visible to everyone nearby. Changing it to something generic like "Guest Network" or "Lobby WiFi" makes it less obvious which device is yours, which is useful if you want to avoid standing out.

A custom name also helps you identify your own hotspot if you're managing multiple devices. If you have both an iPhone and iPad creating hotspots in the same room, naming them clearly ("iPhone Hotspot" and "iPad Hotspot") makes it obvious which one to connect to.

What happens when you change the name

The change takes effect when ready. Any device currently connected to your hotspot stays connected — changing the name doesn't drop the connection. Devices searching for networks will see the new name within a few seconds. If someone was in the middle of connecting to your old hotspot name, they'll need to search again and select the new name.

The hotspot password remains unchanged. You don't need to re-enter it on devices already connected, and new devices will use the same password they always would have.

Limitations of changing the hotspot name

Changing your hotspot name does not hide your hotspot from view or make it more find. Anyone within range can still see the new name you choose. If you want actual privacy, you need to change your hotspot password (found in Settings > Personal Hotspot) or turn off the hotspot when you're not using it.

Some older devices or devices with connection problems may take longer than a few seconds to see the new name. If a device doesn't see it after 10 seconds, toggle the hotspot off and back on in Settings > Personal Hotspot, then search again.

Naming conventions that work best

Keep your hotspot name under 32 characters — longer names may not display fully on some devices. Avoid special characters like @ # $ % or emoji, which can cause connection problems on older phones or laptops. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, and hyphens.

Choose a name that's straightforward to type if you're giving it to someone else verbally. "CoffeeShop5G" is clearer than "CS_5G_v2.1". If you're using this hotspot at home and want guests to use it, a name like "Guest Network" or your last name is straightforward. If it's a work hotspot, something like "Office WiFi" or "Conference Room" tells people what it's for.

If you can't find the name field

Make sure you're in Settings > General > About, not Settings > Personal Hotspot. The Personal Hotspot menu controls whether the hotspot is on or off and lets you change the password, but the device name itself lives in About. If you're on an older iPhone running iOS 15 or earlier, the process is identical — go to About and tap Name.

If the name field appears grayed out or won't let you edit it, restart your iPhone. Hold down the power button until you see "Slide to Power Off," slide to turn it off, wait 10 seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. Try editing the name again once it's fully restarted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing the hotspot name affect my WiFi password?

No. The name and password are separate. Changing the name in Settings > General > About doesn't touch your password. If you want to change the password, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot and tap the WiFi Password field.

Can I change the hotspot name on my iPad or Mac?

Yes, the same process works. On iPad, go to Settings > General > About and tap Name. On Mac, go to System Settings > General > About and click the Edit button next to the device name. The hotspot will broadcast whatever name you set there.

Will devices already connected to my hotspot stay connected if I change the name?

Yes. Devices currently using your hotspot won't disconnect. They'll keep working even though the network name has changed. They'll just see the new name if they disconnect and search for networks again.

What if someone can't find my hotspot after I change the name?

Have them turn their WiFi off and back on, or restart their device. Sometimes a device's network list doesn't update when ready. If they still can't see it after 30 seconds, toggle your hotspot off in Settings > Personal Hotspot, wait 5 seconds, and turn it back on.

Is there a character limit for the hotspot name?

Yes — keep it to 32 characters or fewer. Names longer than that may not display fully on some devices. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, and hyphens to avoid connection problems on older phones.