Change your hotspot password through your phone's settings, not through your carrier
Your mobile hotspot password lives on your phone, not on your carrier's servers. That means you change it the same way you change any other phone setting — by opening Settings, finding the hotspot menu, and typing a new password. The exact steps depend on whether you use an iPhone or Android phone, but both take about two minutes.
The password you set is what other people type when they connect to your hotspot. It is not the same as your phone's PIN or your carrier account password. Changing it does not affect your phone bill, your data plan, or your ability to use cellular data yourself.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone, open Settings, tap Personal Hotspot, then tap Wi-Fi Password to create a new one.
- On Android, open Settings, find Hotspot or Tethering, tap the three dots or gear icon, and select Change Password.
- Your new password takes effect when ready for anyone trying to connect after you change it; people already connected stay connected.
- A strong hotspot password is at least 12 characters and includes uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
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 phone plan may not support hotspot, or your carrier may require you to add it separately — contact your carrier to check.
Once you are in Personal Hotspot, tap Wi-Fi Password. The current password appears in a text field. Tap the field, select all the text, and delete it. Type your new password, then tap Done. Your new password is now active.
If you want to change the name of your hotspot (the network name that other people see when they search for Wi-Fi), tap Wi-Fi Name instead and follow the same steps.
How to change your hotspot password on Android
Open the Settings app. The next step varies by phone manufacturer. On most Android phones, look for Network & Internet or Connections. Tap that, then look for Hotspot, Mobile Hotspot, or Tethering. Some phones call it Personal Hotspot.
Once you find the hotspot menu, look for a three-dot menu icon or a gear icon in the top right corner. Tap it and select Change Password or Edit. A text field appears with your current password. Delete it and type your new password, then tap Save or OK.
If you cannot find the hotspot menu, try searching Settings for the word "hotspot" — most Android phones have a search bar at the top of the Settings app. If that does not work, check your phone manufacturer's support site or your carrier's website, as the menu location varies by brand.
What happens when you change your password
Your new password takes effect when ready. Anyone trying to connect to your hotspot after you change it must use the new password. People who are already connected to your hotspot stay connected — they do not get kicked off.
If you want to disconnect someone who is already using your hotspot, you can turn the hotspot off entirely by going back to the hotspot settings and toggling it off. Some Android phones let you see who is connected and disconnect individual devices, but this option is not available on iPhone.
How to create a password that is hard to guess
A weak hotspot password — like "password123" or your name — can be cracked in seconds by someone sitting in your driveway. A strong password is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
Good examples: BlueMoon#2847 or Coffee$Sunrise99. Avoid patterns like "12345" or "ABCDE", and do not use your name, your phone number, or your address. Write your new password down somewhere safe (not on a sticky note on your monitor) until you have memorized it.
If you share your hotspot with family or roommates, you can change the password whenever you want. There is no limit to how many times you can change it, and no waiting period between changes.
Why you might want to change your hotspot password regularly
Your hotspot password is the only thing standing between your phone's data and someone else's device. If a neighbor or someone in a coffee shop learns your password, they can connect to your hotspot and use your data without you knowing.
Changing your password every few months, or whenever you lend your hotspot to someone new, reduces the chance that an old password is floating around. If you suspect someone has connected to your hotspot without permission, change your password when ready and consider using a stronger one.
You can also turn off your hotspot when you are not using it. This prevents accidental connections and saves your phone's battery.
Troubleshooting: password change did not work
If you changed your password but someone still cannot connect, ask them to forget the network and try again. On their phone, they should go to Wi-Fi settings, find your hotspot name in the list of saved networks, tap it, and select "Forget" or "Remove". Then they should search for your hotspot again and enter the new password.
If your hotspot is not showing up in the Wi-Fi list at all, make sure your hotspot is turned on. Go back to your hotspot settings and toggle it on. Wait a few seconds for it to broadcast, then ask the other person to search again.
If you forgot your own password and cannot see it in your hotspot settings, you can always create a new one by following the steps above. The old password stops working as soon as you save the new one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing my hotspot password affect my phone bill or data plan?
No. Your hotspot password is separate from your carrier account. Changing it does not alter your plan, your bill, or how much data you have. It only controls who can connect to your hotspot.
Can I see who is connected to my hotspot?
On iPhone, you cannot see a list of connected devices. On some Android phones, you can open the hotspot settings and see connected devices, but this varies by manufacturer. If you want to disconnect someone, turn off your hotspot entirely.
What if I change my password and forget the new one?
Go back to your hotspot settings and create another new password. You do not need to remember the old one. Write down the new password somewhere safe so you do not lose it again.
Is my hotspot password the same as my Wi-Fi password at home?
No. Your hotspot password is only for your mobile hotspot. Your home Wi-Fi password is separate and lives in your router. Changing one does not affect the other.
Can someone hack my hotspot if they know my password?
If someone knows your hotspot password, they can connect and use your data. They cannot access your phone's files or apps just by connecting to the hotspot. Use a strong password and change it if you think someone has learned it.