Where your hotspot password lives

Your hotspot password is stored in two places: on the device creating the hotspot (your phone or tablet) and on any device that has connected to it before. If you have forgotten the password, the fastest way to find it is to look at the device that is broadcasting the hotspot — not the devices connecting to it.

On an iPhone, the password appears in Settings under Personal Hotspot. On Android, it is in Settings under Hotspot or Tethering. You do not need to reset anything or create a new password unless you want to change it for security reasons.

If you cannot access the device that created the hotspot, you can sometimes recover the password from a device that has already connected to it, though the steps vary by operating system and the information may not always be visible.

Key Takeaways

  • Your hotspot password is stored in the settings of the phone or tablet creating the hotspot, under Personal Hotspot (iPhone) or Hotspot settings (Android).
  • You can view the password in plain text on the device that created it without resetting or changing anything.
  • On Windows and Mac computers that have connected before, you can sometimes find the saved password in network settings, though the steps differ between systems.
  • If you cannot find the password anywhere, resetting the hotspot will create a new one, but any device that was previously connected will need the new password to reconnect.

Finding the password on iPhone

Open Settings and tap Personal Hotspot. The password appears on this screen in plain text — you do not need to do anything else to see it. Write it down or take a screenshot before you close the app.

If Personal Hotspot does not appear in your Settings menu, your phone plan may not support it, or it may be turned off. Scroll down in Settings to check whether the option exists at all. If it does exist but is grayed out, contact your carrier to confirm your plan includes hotspot data.

Finding the password on Android

The exact location varies by phone manufacturer and Android version, but the general path is: Settings, then Hotspot or Tethering, then Hotspot Settings or Wi-Fi Hotspot. Tap the option that shows the network name (SSID) and password. The password will display on this screen.

Some Android phones label this section Mobile Hotspot instead of Hotspot. If you cannot find it in the main Settings menu, try searching for "hotspot" in the Settings search bar at the top of the screen. Once you find the right section, the password is usually visible without any additional steps.

Recovering the password from a connected computer

If you have a Windows computer that has connected to the hotspot before, you can sometimes view the saved password. Open Settings, go to Network and Internet, then Wi-Fi, then Manage Known Networks. Find the hotspot network name in the list, click it, and select Properties. Look for a Security section that may show the password, though newer versions of Windows often hide this information for security reasons.

On a Mac, open System Preferences, go to Network, select Wi-Fi, and click Advanced. Find the hotspot network in the list, select it, and click Edit. The password may appear in a field labeled Password, though you may need to check a box to reveal it. Some versions of macOS do not display saved passwords this way, in which case you will need to access the phone itself.

What to do if you cannot find the password anywhere

If the device creating the hotspot is lost, broken, or inaccessible, and you cannot find the password on any connected computer, you will need to reset the hotspot. This creates a new password and network name.

On iPhone, go to Settings, Personal Hotspot, and toggle the feature off and back on. This usually generates a new password. On Android, the process depends on your phone, but typically involves going to Hotspot settings and selecting an option to reset or change the password. After you reset it, any device that was previously connected will see the hotspot as a new network and will need the new password to connect again.

Changing your hotspot password for security

If you want to change your password because you have shared it with someone you no longer trust, or straightforward want a new one, the process is the same as finding it. Go to the hotspot settings on the device creating the hotspot, and look for an option to edit or change the password. Most phones let you type in a new password directly from this screen.

After you change the password, devices that were previously connected will lose access. They will see the hotspot as available but will not be able to connect until you give them the new password. This is useful if you want to remove access for a specific person without affecting everyone else.

Why the password is hard to find on some devices

Newer phones sometimes hide the password behind additional steps or do not display it at all in the settings menu. This is a security feature — the phone assumes you set the password yourself and should remember it. If your phone does not show the password in the obvious place, try searching the Settings app for "password" or "hotspot" to find the right menu.

Some carriers also customize the hotspot settings on phones they sell, which can move the password to a different location or add extra steps. If you cannot find it after checking the standard locations, contact your carrier's support line with your phone model and they can walk you through the exact steps for your device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my hotspot password if I only have access to a phone that connected to it?

On some computers and tablets, yes — you can view saved Wi-Fi passwords in network settings. On phones, this is usually not possible. If you have a Windows or Mac computer that has connected before, try the steps in the "Recovering the password from a connected computer" section. Otherwise, you will need to access the phone that created the hotspot.

What if my hotspot password is just a bunch of random characters?

That is normal. Most phones generate a random password automatically when you turn on the hotspot for the first time. You can change it to something easier to remember by going to the hotspot settings and editing the password field. Write down or take a screenshot of whatever you choose so you do not forget it again.

Will resetting my hotspot password disconnect devices that are already using it?

No. Devices that are currently connected will stay connected. They will only lose access the next time they try to reconnect or if they disconnect and try to reconnect before you give them the new password. This means you can change the password without when ready affecting active connections.

Does my hotspot password need to be the same as my phone's lock screen password?

No. They are completely separate. Your hotspot password is only for devices connecting to your mobile hotspot, while your lock screen password protects your phone itself. You can change one without affecting the other.