Change your iPhone's hotspot name in Settings, under Personal Hotspot

Your iPhone's hotspot broadcasts a name — called the SSID — that other devices see when they search for networks to join. By default, it shows your first name followed by "'s iPhone", which means anyone nearby knows your device type and gets a hint at your identity. You can change this to anything you want in about thirty seconds.

The name you choose appears to anyone in range, so pick something that does not broadcast personal information or make your network a target. A generic name like "Guest Network" or "Office WiFi" is safer than "Sarah's iPhone" or "Home Network". The name itself does not affect security — your password does — but a nondescript name is one less thing announcing your presence.

Key Takeaways

  • Your iPhone's hotspot name is visible to anyone searching for networks, so change it from the default "FirstName's iPhone" to something generic.
  • Go to Settings, then Personal Hotspot, then tap the Wi-Fi Password field to find the name field above it.
  • You can change the name whenever you want, and the change takes effect when ready — devices already connected stay connected.
  • A generic hotspot name does not improve security, but it reduces how much information you broadcast to strangers nearby.

Open Settings and find Personal Hotspot

Unlock your iPhone and open the Settings app — the gray gear icon on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Personal Hotspot. If you do not see it, your carrier may not support hotspot, or you may need to contact them to add it to your plan.

Once you are in Personal Hotspot, you will see a toggle at the top that says "Personal Hotspot" with an on/off switch. Below that is a Wi-Fi Password field. The name field sits directly above the password field, though it is straightforward to miss because it does not have a label.

Tap the name field and type a new name

Look for the text that currently shows your iPhone's hotspot name — usually "FirstName's iPhone" or something similar. Tap directly on that text. A keyboard will appear and the current name will be highlighted, ready to delete.

Type the new name you want. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most common symbols. Keep it under 32 characters, though shorter names are easier for others to spot and connect to. Once you have typed the new name, tap the back arrow or tap outside the field to save it. The change takes effect when ready.

What happens to devices already connected

If someone is already using your hotspot when you change the name, they stay connected — changing the name does not disconnect them. The next time they search for your hotspot, they will see the new name instead of the old one.

If you change the name frequently, people who regularly connect will need to "forget" the old network name from their device and reconnect using the new one. This is why picking a name you plan to keep is simpler than changing it often.

Why the default name matters for security

The default name "FirstName's iPhone" tells anyone nearby three things: your first name, that you own an iPhone, and that you are in range. None of this information alone is dangerous, but together it narrows the field for someone trying to target you specifically. A generic name like "Guest Network" or "Lobby WiFi" does not prevent connection — your password still does that — but it stops broadcasting personal details to strangers.

The hotspot name is separate from your Wi-Fi password. Changing the name does not change the password, and you should keep your password strong regardless of what name you choose. A weak password is a weak password, no matter how generic the network name sounds.

Changing the name on different iPhone models

The steps are the same on iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15, and newer models. On older iPhones running iOS 13 or later, the process is identical — open Settings, tap Personal Hotspot, and tap the name field to edit it. If you are running an older version of iOS, update your phone first; Apple stopped supporting iOS versions older than about five years ago.

If you have an iPad or Mac that also shares a hotspot, each device has its own name. Changing your iPhone's hotspot name does not affect your iPad's hotspot name, so you will need to change each one separately if you want them to match.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Most special characters work, but emoji may not display correctly on all devices. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, and common symbols like hyphens and underscores. If someone cannot see your hotspot name properly, it is usually because their device does not support the characters you used.

Does changing the hotspot name make it more find?

No. The name is visible to anyone nearby, but it does not affect whether someone can connect. Your Wi-Fi password is what actually protects the connection. A generic name is less informative, but security comes from a strong password, not from hiding the network name.

What if I cannot find the name field in Personal Hotspot?

Make sure Personal Hotspot is turned on — the toggle at the top should be green. If it is off, turn it on first. If you still do not see a name field, your iPhone model or iOS version may not support custom names. Try updating iOS through Settings > General > Software Update.

Will changing the name disconnect people using my hotspot?

No. People already connected will stay connected. They will just see the new name the next time they search for networks. They do not need to do anything unless they want to reconnect after disconnecting.

Can I change the hotspot name from another device?

No. You must change it directly on the iPhone through Settings. Other devices can only connect to the hotspot; they cannot change its settings.