Change your WiFi name and password through the AT&T mobile app or web portal
You can change both your WiFi network name (called the SSID) and password from your phone or computer without touching the router itself. The fastest route is the AT&T mobile app if you have it installed. If you do not, you can log into your AT&T account online at att.com, find your internet service, and make the changes there. Both methods take about five minutes and take effect when ready — devices already connected will stay connected, but new devices will need the new password to join.
You do not need to call AT&T or reset your router to make this change. The changes happen in your account settings, not on the physical device. If you forget the new password before you write it down, you can always change it again the same way.
Key Takeaways
- Open the AT&T mobile app, go to Internet, select your gateway, and tap the WiFi icon to change your network name and password in one place.
- If you use a web browser instead, log into att.com, find your internet service under My Services, and look for the WiFi settings option.
- Your new network name can be up to 32 characters and should not contain special characters like <, >, or quotation marks.
- Your new password must be at least 8 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and symbols — the longer and more random, the harder it is to guess.
- Write down your new password before you finish, because you will need it to reconnect any devices that were already on your old network.
Steps to change your WiFi name and password in the AT&T app
Open the AT&T mobile app and tap the Internet icon at the bottom of the screen. Select the gateway (the device that broadcasts your WiFi) from the list — it usually shows your address or service address. Tap the WiFi icon, which looks like radio waves, and you will see your current network name and password displayed.
Tap Edit or the pencil icon next to the network name to change it. Type your new name — keep it straightforward and avoid special characters. Then tap Edit or the pencil icon next to the password field and type your new password. Make sure it is at least 8 characters long. Tap Save or Confirm, and the changes take effect within a few seconds.
Once you see a confirmation message, your new network name will show up in the available WiFi list on other devices. You will need to forget the old network on each device and reconnect using the new password.
Steps to change your WiFi name and password on the AT&T website
Go to att.com and log in with your AT&T account username and password. Click or tap My Services at the top of the page, then find your internet service in the list. Look for a link that says WiFi Settings, Manage WiFi, or Network Settings — the exact wording varies depending on your gateway model.
Click that link and you will see your current network name and password. Click Edit next to the network name to change it, type your new name, and click Save. Then click Edit next to the password, type your new password (at least 8 characters), and click Save again. You should see a confirmation message within a few seconds.
If you cannot find the WiFi settings link on your My Services page, try searching for "WiFi settings" in the search box at the top of att.com. AT&T's website layout changes sometimes, but the search function usually finds it quickly.
What happens to devices already connected to your old network
Devices that were already connected to your old WiFi network will lose their connection as soon as the new password takes effect. They will not automatically switch to the new network — you have to reconnect them manually. On your phone or computer, go to WiFi settings, find your new network name in the list, tap or click it, and enter your new password.
If a device does not see your new network name right away, wait 30 seconds and refresh the WiFi list. Sometimes it takes a moment for the change to broadcast to all nearby devices. If a device keeps asking for the password even after you type it correctly, try forgetting the network entirely (in WiFi settings, tap or click the network name and choose Forget), then reconnect from scratch.
Choosing a strong WiFi password
A strong password is one that would take a long time to guess. Mix uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — for example, "BlueSky#2024River" is much stronger than "password123". Avoid using your address, your name, or your birthday, because those are straightforward to find out. Avoid dictionary words on their own, because programs exist that can try thousands of common words in seconds.
The longer your password, the harder it is to crack. AT&T allows passwords up to 63 characters, so you can make it as long as you want. A 16-character password with mixed characters is strong enough for home WiFi. Write it down somewhere safe — a notebook in a drawer, a password manager, or a note on your phone — so you do not have to reset it again if you forget.
Troubleshooting: changes are not taking effect
If you changed your network name and password but devices still cannot see the new network, wait two to three minutes and refresh your WiFi list. Sometimes the gateway needs a moment to broadcast the new settings. If the old network name still appears in your WiFi list after five minutes, try logging back into the AT&T app or website and checking whether the change actually saved — you may have been logged out before you hit Save.
If the change shows as saved in your account but devices still cannot connect, restart your gateway by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait for the lights to stop blinking (usually two to three minutes), then try connecting a device again. If you still cannot connect after the restart, log back into the AT&T app or website and verify that your password was saved correctly — sometimes a special character does not save the way you typed it.
Changing your WiFi name without changing your password
You can change just the network name and leave the password the same. In the AT&T app or website, tap or click Edit next to the network name, type your new name, and tap or click Save. Do not touch the password field. Your password stays the same, so devices that were already connected will stay connected — they do not need to re-enter anything.
This is useful if you want to rename your network to something more memorable but do not want to go through the hassle of reconnecting all your devices. The network name change takes effect when ready, and the old name will disappear from WiFi lists within a few seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my WiFi password without losing my internet connection?
Yes. The device you are using to make the change (your phone or computer) will stay connected to the internet during the process. Other devices on your WiFi will lose connection once the new password takes effect, but you can reconnect them right away by entering the new password.
What if I change my WiFi name and forget the new password?
Log back into the AT&T app or website and change the password again. You can do this as many times as you need. Write down the new password before you close the app or browser so you do not forget it a second time.
Does changing my WiFi password affect my AT&T bill or internet speed?
No. Changing your network name and password is a security setting only — it does not change your service, your bill, or your internet speed. It only controls who can connect to your WiFi network.
Can I use special characters like @ or # in my WiFi password?
Yes. AT&T allows most special characters in passwords, including @, #, $, %, and others. Avoid only the characters that AT&T specifically blocks, which it will tell you about if you try to use one — the app or website will show an error message.
How often should I change my WiFi password?
There is no set rule. Change it if you think someone has learned it, if you let a guest use your WiFi and no longer want them to have access, or if you just want to refresh your security. Changing it once or twice a year is reasonable for most home networks.