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, you can retrieve it from the device that is broadcasting the hotspot — you do not need to contact your carrier or reset anything.
The steps differ depending on whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, or a Windows or Mac computer that is sharing its connection. In each case, the password is visible in the settings menu where you turned the hotspot on.
Key Takeaways
- Your hotspot password is stored in your phone or computer's settings and can be viewed without resetting anything.
- On an iPhone, open Settings, tap Personal Hotspot, and look for the Wi-Fi password field.
- On Android, the steps vary by manufacturer, but usually involve Settings, then Mobile Hotspot or Tethering, then viewing the password.
- If you have already connected a device to the hotspot before, that device may remember the password automatically.
- You can change your hotspot password at any time from the same settings menu where you view it.
Finding your password on an iPhone
Open the Settings app and tap Personal Hotspot. You will see a Wi-Fi password field — this is the password anyone needs to connect to your hotspot. The password appears as dots by default, but you can tap the eye icon next to it to reveal the actual characters.
If you do not see the Personal Hotspot option, your phone may not have a cellular plan that supports hotspot sharing, or your carrier may have disabled it. Contact your carrier to confirm your plan includes hotspot access.
Finding your password on Android
The exact path depends on your phone's manufacturer. On most Android phones, open Settings and search for "hotspot" or "tethering." Tap Mobile Hotspot or Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot (the name varies). You should see the network name and password displayed on that screen.
On Samsung phones specifically, go to Settings, then tap Mobile Hotspot under Connections. The password appears under the network name. On Google Pixel phones, go to Settings, then Network and Internet, then Hotspot and Tethering, then Wi-Fi Hotspot. Other manufacturers like OnePlus, Motorola, and LG follow similar paths but may use slightly different menu names.
If you cannot find the hotspot settings, try opening Settings and using the search function at the top to type "hotspot" — this usually takes you directly to the right menu.
Finding your password on Windows or Mac
If you are sharing your internet connection from a Windows computer, open Settings and go to Network and Internet, then Mobile Hotspot. The network name and password are displayed there. You can also edit the network name and password from this same screen.
On a Mac, open System Settings, go to General, then Sharing, then click Internet Sharing. The Wi-Fi password is shown in the Wi-Fi Options section. You can change it by clicking the Wi-Fi Options button.
Retrieving a password from a device that already connected
If you have a laptop, tablet, or phone that has connected to your hotspot before, that device may have saved the password automatically. On an iPhone or iPad that previously connected, go to Settings, tap Wi-Fi, find your hotspot network name in the list, tap the information icon next to it, and tap Forget This Network. Then reconnect — you will be prompted to enter the password, which you can get from your phone's hotspot settings.
On Windows, open Settings, go to Network and Internet, then Wi-Fi, then Manage Known Networks. Find your hotspot network, click it, and click Forget. The saved password will be removed, but this does not help you retrieve it — you still need to check your phone's hotspot settings.
Changing your hotspot password
You can change your hotspot password at any time from the same settings menu where you view it. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap Personal Hotspot, and tap the Wi-Fi password field to edit it. On Android, the process is similar — find your hotspot settings and look for an option to edit or change the password. On Windows or Mac, use the same menus described above and click the edit or change button next to the password field.
When you change the password, any devices currently connected to your hotspot will be disconnected. They will need to reconnect using the new password. This is useful if you want to prevent someone from using your hotspot or if you suspect someone has the old password.
What to do if you cannot find the hotspot settings
If your device does not show a hotspot option in settings, your carrier may not support hotspot sharing on your plan, or your device may not have the feature enabled. Contact your carrier to confirm your plan includes hotspot access. Some carriers charge an extra fee for hotspot, while others include it with certain plan levels.
If your device does support hotspot but the settings are hidden, try restarting your phone or computer. Sometimes the hotspot option does not appear until the device has been restarted after a software update.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone else see my hotspot password?
Only if they have physical access to your phone or computer and can open the settings menu. The password is not visible on the lock screen or in any notification. If you are concerned someone knows your password, change it from the hotspot settings menu.
What if I forgot my password and cannot access my phone?
If you cannot unlock your phone, you cannot view the hotspot password from that device. You would need to reset the phone to factory settings, which erases all data. A better option is to check any other device that has connected to the hotspot before — it may have saved the password.
Is the hotspot password the same as my phone's Wi-Fi password?
No. Your hotspot password is separate from any Wi-Fi network your phone connects to. The hotspot password is only for devices connecting to your phone's internet sharing. Your phone's Wi-Fi password (if you have one) is for connecting to a home or public Wi-Fi network.
Can I use the same password for my hotspot as my home Wi-Fi?
Yes, you can set your hotspot password to anything you want. However, using the same password for both can be confusing if you have multiple networks. A unique password for your hotspot makes it easier to remember which network you are connecting to.
What happens if I change my hotspot password while someone is using it?
They will be disconnected when ready and will not be able to reconnect unless they have the new password. This is a way to stop someone from using your hotspot without warning them first.