How to change your hotspot password depends on which device is creating the hotspot

The steps differ between iPhone, Android, and Windows because each operating system stores and manages hotspot settings separately. On an iPhone, you change the password through Settings in the Personal Hotspot menu. On Android, the location varies by manufacturer — Samsung phones use a different path than Google Pixel or other brands. Windows PCs that share internet via hotspot use yet another method. The password itself is what other devices see when they search for your hotspot network, so changing it disconnects anyone currently using it and forces them to reconnect with the new password.

You should change your hotspot password if you suspect someone is using your hotspot without permission, if you want to use a stronger password, or if you are sharing the password with someone new and want to remove access for someone old. The process takes less than two minutes on any device.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone, open Settings, tap Personal Hotspot, then tap Wi-Fi Password to change it to anything you want.
  • On Android, the path depends on your phone's manufacturer — Samsung uses Mobile Hotspot under Settings, while Google Pixel uses Hotspot under Network and Internet.
  • On Windows 10 and 11, go to Settings, select Mobile Hotspot, and change the Network Password field.
  • Changing your hotspot password when ready disconnects all devices currently using it, so warn anyone who needs to stay connected.
  • A strong hotspot password should be at least 8 characters and include numbers or symbols to prevent unauthorized use.

Changing your hotspot password on iPhone

Open the Settings app and scroll down to find Personal Hotspot. Tap it. You will see a Wi-Fi Password field with your current password displayed. Tap the password field, delete the old password, and type a new one. The password must be at least 8 characters long. When you are done, tap Back or swipe back to exit — the change saves automatically.

If you do not see Personal Hotspot in Settings, your phone may not have a cellular plan active, or your carrier may not support hotspot. Check with your carrier to confirm your plan includes hotspot access. Once you change the password, anyone trying to connect to your hotspot will see an error message saying the password is incorrect until they enter the new one.

Changing your hotspot password on Android

The exact path depends on your phone's manufacturer. On a Samsung phone, open Settings, tap Mobile Hotspot and Tethering, then tap Mobile Hotspot. You will see a Password field — tap it and enter your new password. On a Google Pixel, open Settings, go to Network and Internet, tap Hotspot and Tethering, then Hotspot. Tap the gear icon next to your hotspot name, then change the password in the Security section.

On other Android phones, the menu may be labeled Tethering, Portable Hotspot, or Internet Sharing. If you cannot find it, search "hotspot" in your phone's Settings search bar — most Android phones have a search function at the top of Settings. The password must be at least 8 characters. After you save the change, your phone will restart the hotspot, and anyone connected will be disconnected.

Changing your hotspot password on Windows 10 and 11

Open Settings and select System. Look for Mobile Hotspot in the left menu and click it. You will see a Network Password field showing your current password. Click in the field, select all the text, and type your new password. Click Save. Windows will restart your hotspot, disconnecting anyone currently using it.

If you do not see Mobile Hotspot in System settings, your computer may not have a cellular connection or may not support hotspot sharing. Some older laptops or those without a built-in modem cannot create a hotspot. If you have a cellular connection and still do not see the option, restart your computer and check again.

What happens when you change your hotspot password

Any device currently connected to your hotspot will lose the connection when ready. That device will see a message saying the network password is incorrect. To reconnect, the user must open their Wi-Fi settings, find your hotspot network name, and enter the new password. They cannot use the old password anymore.

If you change your password while someone is downloading a file or streaming video, that activity will stop. Let anyone who regularly uses your hotspot know before you change the password so they can save their work and reconnect afterward. If you forget the new password yourself, you can always go back into your device settings and view it again.

Choosing a strong hotspot password

A strong password is harder for someone to guess or crack. Use at least 8 characters, and mix in numbers and symbols if your device allows them. For example, "Coffee2024!" is stronger than "Coffee". Avoid using your name, your phone number, or common words like "password" or "123456".

Your hotspot password is different from your phone's lock screen password or your Wi-Fi router password at home. Changing one does not change the others. If you use the same password for multiple things, consider making each one unique so that if someone learns one password, they cannot access everything.

Troubleshooting password change problems

If you change the password but devices still cannot connect with the old password, restart the device trying to connect. Sometimes a phone or laptop caches the old password and needs to be restarted to forget it. Go to that device's Wi-Fi settings, find your hotspot network, and tap "Forget" or "Remove" before reconnecting with the new password.

If you cannot find the hotspot settings on your device, make sure hotspot is actually turned on. On iPhone, check that Personal Hotspot shows a blue bar at the top of the screen. On Android, look for an icon in the notification panel or check that Mobile Hotspot is toggled on in Settings. On Windows, make sure Mobile Hotspot is toggled on in the Mobile Hotspot settings page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my hotspot password while someone is using it?

Yes, but they will be disconnected when ready and will need the new password to reconnect. If they are in the middle of downloading or uploading something, that activity will stop. It is best to warn them first or change the password when no one is using it.

What if I forget the new password I just set?

Go back into your device's hotspot settings and look at the password field — it will show you the current password. You can view it anytime without needing to reset anything. Write it down or save it somewhere safe if you tend to forget passwords.

Does changing my hotspot password affect my phone's regular Wi-Fi or cellular service?

No. Your hotspot password only controls who can connect to the internet through your phone's hotspot. Your phone's own internet connection and any Wi-Fi networks you connect to remain unchanged.

Why does my device say the password is too short?

Hotspot passwords must be at least 8 characters long on most devices. If your password is shorter, your device will reject it. Make your password 8 characters or longer, using a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols if possible.

Can someone use my hotspot if they know the old password after I change it?

No. Once you change the password, the old password stops working. Anyone trying to use the old password will see an error message. Only people who know the new password can connect.