Change the password on your phone's hotspot settings
The steps to change your hotspot password depend on whether you use an iPhone or Android phone. Both let you set a new password directly in your phone's settings — you do not need to contact your carrier or use any special app. The password you set is what other devices will type in when they connect to your hotspot.
Your hotspot password is separate from your phone's lock screen password or your Wi-Fi network password at home. Changing it does not affect those other passwords. Anyone already connected to your hotspot will stay connected until you restart the hotspot or they disconnect on their own.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone, open Settings, tap Personal Hotspot, then tap Wi-Fi Password to type a new one.
- On Android, open Settings, find Hotspot or Tethering, tap the hotspot name, then select Change Password or Edit.
- Your new password takes effect when ready, but devices already connected will not be forced to reconnect.
- A strong hotspot password should be at least 8 characters and include numbers or symbols to prevent unauthorized use.
- If you forget your hotspot password, you can reset it by turning the hotspot off and back on, then setting a new password.
How to change your hotspot password on iPhone
Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Scroll down and tap Personal Hotspot. If you do not see this option, your carrier may not support hotspot on your plan — contact them to confirm.
Tap Wi-Fi Password. The current password appears in a text field. Select all the text and delete it, then type your new password. Your new password must be at least 8 characters long. Tap Done when you finish typing. The change saves when ready.
If you want to change the name of your hotspot instead (the name other devices see when they search for networks), go back to Personal Hotspot and tap the field at the top that shows your current hotspot name. Type a new name and tap Done.
How to change your hotspot password on Android
Open the Settings app. The exact path varies by phone manufacturer, but look for Network & Internet, Connections, or Wireless & Networks. Tap that section.
Look for Hotspot, Mobile Hotspot, Tethering, or Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot — the name depends on your phone brand. Tap it. You should see your current hotspot name and password listed. Tap Change Password, Edit, or the pencil icon next to the password field.
Type your new password. It must be at least 8 characters. Tap Save or OK. The change takes effect right away. If you cannot find a password field, look for Security or Advanced settings within the hotspot menu.
What makes a strong hotspot password
A strong hotspot password prevents strangers from connecting to your phone and using your data. Use at least 8 characters — longer is better. Mix uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or #. Avoid passwords that spell real words or use obvious patterns like 12345678 or qwerty.
Do not use your name, your phone number, or your birthday. These are straightforward for someone nearby to guess. A password like Tr0pic@l2024! is much harder to crack than password123. Write down your new password somewhere safe until you memorize it — you will need it every time a new device connects.
What happens when you change your hotspot password
Devices that are already connected to your hotspot will stay connected even after you change the password. They will not be kicked off automatically. However, if they disconnect for any reason — because they move out of range, because you turn the hotspot off, or because the user manually disconnects — they will need to enter the new password to reconnect.
If you want to force all devices to disconnect when ready, turn your hotspot off, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on. This breaks all active connections. When devices try to reconnect, they will be prompted to enter the new password.
Troubleshooting if you cannot change your password
If the password field is grayed out or you cannot tap it, make sure your hotspot is turned on. On iPhone, go to Settings and toggle Personal Hotspot on. On Android, go to your hotspot settings and toggle the hotspot itself on. You cannot edit the password while the hotspot is off on some phones.
If you still cannot change it, restart your phone. Power it off completely, wait 10 seconds, then power it back on. Open Settings again and try to change the password. If the problem continues, contact your carrier — they may have restrictions on your account that prevent hotspot use or password changes.
How to reset your hotspot password if you forget it
If you set a password and forgot what it is, you cannot look it up through your phone's settings. Instead, turn your hotspot off. Go to your hotspot settings and turn it back on. Your phone will generate a new default password — usually a random string of letters and numbers. Other devices will see this new password when they search for your hotspot.
Once you see the new default password, you can change it to something easier to remember by following the steps for your phone type above. Write down the new password or save it in a notes app so you do not lose it again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same password for my hotspot and my home Wi-Fi?
Yes, you can use the same password for both, but it is not recommended. If someone learns your hotspot password, they could also try it on your home network. Keeping them different adds a layer of security. Your hotspot password only protects your phone's data connection, while your home Wi-Fi password protects your home network.
Does changing my hotspot password affect my phone plan or data limit?
No. Changing your hotspot password does not change your data plan, your monthly limit, or your carrier settings. It only changes what password other devices need to type in to connect. Your data usage is tracked the same way regardless of what password you use.
Why does my hotspot password keep resetting on its own?
Some phones reset the hotspot password when you restart them or when the hotspot has been off for a long time. If this happens, your phone is likely set to generate a random password each time. Go back to your hotspot settings and set a custom password instead of using the auto-generated one. The custom password should stick after restart.
Can I see who is connected to my hotspot?
Yes. On iPhone, go to Settings and tap Personal Hotspot — you will see a list of connected devices. On Android, open your hotspot settings and look for Connected Devices or Device List. If you see a device you do not recognize, change your hotspot password when ready to disconnect it.