Where to change your AT&T WiFi password

You change your AT&T WiFi password through the AT&T Smart Home Manager app or website, not through your router itself. The Smart Home Manager is AT&T's control center for your internet service — it's where AT&T stores your network settings and lets you make changes that stick across all your devices.

You can reach Smart Home Manager three ways: through the mobile app (search "AT&T Smart Home Manager" in your phone's app store), through a web browser at smarthomemanager.att.com, or by logging into your AT&T account at att.com and finding the WiFi settings there. All three routes lead to the same password change screen.

You'll need your AT&T account username and password to log in. This is the same login you use to pay your bill online — not your WiFi password.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into AT&T Smart Home Manager using your account credentials (the same username and password you use to pay your bill).
  • Your new WiFi password must be at least 8 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • After you change the password, all your devices will disconnect and you'll need to reconnect them using the new password.
  • The change takes effect when ready — you don't need to restart your router or wait for it to process.
  • If you forget the new password, you can change it again through Smart Home Manager at any time.

Step-by-step: changing your password in Smart Home Manager

On a computer: Go to smarthomemanager.att.com and sign in with your AT&T account username and password. Look for a section labeled "WiFi" or "Network" — the exact wording varies depending on your router model. Click into that section and find the option to change your WiFi password (sometimes labeled "WiFi Password" or "Network Password"). Enter your new password, confirm it by typing it again, and click Save or Update. The system will show a confirmation message.

On a phone or tablet: Open the AT&T Smart Home Manager app, sign in, and tap the WiFi or Network section. You'll see your current network name listed. Tap on it or look for an edit or settings icon next to it. Select the option to change the password, enter your new one twice, and tap Save. The app will confirm the change went through.

The password change is when ready. Within seconds, your router will start using the new password. Every device currently connected to your WiFi will lose its connection — this is normal and expected. You'll then need to reconnect each device by selecting your network name and entering the new password.

What password to choose

AT&T requires your WiFi password to be at least 8 characters long. You can use uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols (like ! @ # $ % ^ & *). Avoid using only numbers or only letters — mixing character types makes the password stronger and less likely to be guessed.

A good approach is to pick something you can remember but that isn't a word from the dictionary. For example, "BlueSky2024!" is stronger than "password" or "12345678". Write it down somewhere safe (like a password manager or a notebook in a drawer) so you don't lose it.

Do not use your AT&T account password as your WiFi password. These should be completely separate. If someone guesses your WiFi password, they can use your internet but won't be able to access your AT&T account.

Reconnecting your devices after the change

Once you've changed the password, every device on your network — phones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, printers, smart speakers — will show that it's disconnected from WiFi. This happens because they're still trying to use the old password, which no longer works.

To reconnect each device, open its WiFi settings, find your network name in the list of available networks, and tap it. When prompted for the password, enter your new one. The device will connect within a few seconds. Repeat this for every device that uses your WiFi.

Devices that are off or in another room will reconnect the next time you turn them on or bring them into range. There's no rush to reconnect everything at once.

If you can't log into Smart Home Manager

The most common reason people can't log in is that they're using the wrong password. Double-check that you're entering your AT&T account password (the one you use to pay your bill), not your WiFi password. If you've forgotten your AT&T account password, go to att.com, click "Sign In" at the top, and select "Forgot Password?" You'll receive a reset link by email.

If you're certain your password is correct but Smart Home Manager still won't let you in, try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, then log in again. On a phone, try closing the app completely and reopening it. If the problem persists, contact AT&T customer service at 611 from an AT&T phone or 1-800-331-0500 from any phone — they can verify your account and help you regain access.

Changing your password on the router itself (not recommended)

Your AT&T router has its own settings page that you can access by typing your router's IP address into a web browser. However, AT&T does not recommend changing your WiFi password this way. If you change it directly on the router without going through Smart Home Manager, the change may not sync properly with AT&T's system, and you could run into problems later.

The Smart Home Manager route is the official, supported method. It ensures your password change is recorded in AT&T's system and won't cause conflicts with your account or service.

How often to change your WiFi password

There's no rule that says you must change your WiFi password on a set schedule. You should change it if you suspect someone unauthorized is using your network, if you've shared it with a guest who no longer needs access, or if you straightforward want to refresh your security. Changing it once or twice a year is reasonable for most households.

If you live in an apartment or have many neighbors nearby, changing your password occasionally makes it less likely that someone will stumble onto it by trying common passwords. If you live in a house with distance between neighbors, the risk is lower.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my WiFi password affect my internet speed?

No. Your WiFi password only controls who can connect to your network — it has nothing to do with how fast your internet runs. If your speed changes after you update the password, it's a coincidence, not a cause.

Can I change my WiFi password from my phone if I'm not home?

Yes. As long as you're connected to your AT&T WiFi (or any internet connection), you can open the Smart Home Manager app or website and change the password remotely. The change takes effect when ready, even though you're not physically near the router.

What if I change my password and then forget it?

Log back into Smart Home Manager and change it again to something you'll remember. There's no penalty for changing it multiple times. You can also reset your router to factory settings (usually by holding a small button on the back for 10 seconds), which will restore the default password printed on the router's label, but this will erase any other custom settings you've made.

Do I need to restart my router after changing the password?

No. The password change takes effect when ready without a restart. Your devices will straightforward disconnect and need to reconnect with the new password.

Can I use special characters like spaces in my WiFi password?

AT&T allows symbols and special characters, but spaces can cause problems with some older devices. It's safer to use symbols like ! @ # $ % ^ & * instead of spaces.