Change the password on your phone's hotspot in settings

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use an iPhone or Android phone, but both let you change the password from the settings app without restarting your hotspot. You will need to know your current password first — if you have forgotten it, you can reset it to a new one, and any devices currently connected will stay connected until you restart the hotspot or they disconnect on their own.

After you change the password, devices that were already connected will keep working. New devices trying to join will need the new password. The change takes effect when ready, so plan the timing if people are actively using your hotspot.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone, open Settings, tap Personal Hotspot, then tap the Wi-Fi Password field to change it.
  • On Android, open Settings, find Hotspot or Tethering, tap the hotspot name, then select Change Password or Edit.
  • Devices already connected will stay connected after you change the password; only new connections need the new password.
  • You can change the password without turning the hotspot off, and the change takes effect right away.
  • If you forget your current password, you can reset it by turning the hotspot off and back on, which generates a new one.

iPhone: change password through Personal Hotspot settings

Open the Settings app and scroll down to find Personal Hotspot. Tap it. You will see a Wi-Fi Password field showing a series of dots or asterisks — this is your current password hidden for security.

Tap the Wi-Fi Password field. The keyboard will appear and the field will become editable. Delete the current password entirely, then type your new password. iOS requires at least 8 characters. Tap Done or press Return when you finish typing. The new password is saved when ready.

If you do not see Personal Hotspot in your Settings menu, scroll up to the top and check that you are signed into an Apple ID. Personal Hotspot requires an active cellular plan and an Apple ID on the device.

Android: change password through Hotspot settings

Open the Settings app. The next step depends on your phone's manufacturer and Android version. Look for Hotspot, Tethering, or Mobile Hotspot — it is usually under Network & Internet or Connections. Tap it.

Find the option to configure or edit your hotspot. On most phones this is labeled Configure Hotspot, Set up Hotspot, or Edit. Tap it. A menu will appear showing the hotspot name (SSID) and the current password. Tap the password field, delete the old password, and type your new one. Most Android phones require at least 8 characters. Tap Save or Confirm.

If you cannot find these settings, try searching within Settings for "hotspot" or "tethering" — the exact menu location varies by manufacturer. Samsung phones often place it under Mobile Hotspot in the Connections menu, while Google Pixel phones put it under Hotspot & Tethering.

What happens to devices already using your hotspot

Devices that are already connected to your hotspot will stay connected after you change the password. They do not need to re-enter the new password. The password change only affects new devices trying to join — they will see your hotspot name in their available networks, but when they try to connect, they will be asked for the password, and the old password will no longer work.

If a connected device disconnects for any reason — moving out of range, the phone going to sleep, or the user manually disconnecting — it will need the new password to reconnect. This is why it is a good idea to tell people who use your hotspot before you change the password, so they know to expect a new one if they disconnect.

Reset your password if you have forgotten it

If you cannot remember your current password and the settings screen does not show it clearly, the simplest fix is to turn your hotspot off and back on. This generates a new random password automatically. On iPhone, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot and toggle it off, then toggle it back on. On Android, go to your hotspot settings and toggle the hotspot off, then back on.

When you turn the hotspot back on, a new password will be generated. You can then change it to something you prefer using the steps above. Any devices that were connected before you turned it off will be disconnected and will need the new password to reconnect.

Choose a password you can remember and share easily

A strong hotspot password does not need to be as complex as a password for email or banking — it only protects access to your data connection, not sensitive accounts. A good approach is to use a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters with a number or two, something like "Coffee2024Blue" or "Garden42Sunset". Avoid using personal information like birthdays or names that people who know you might guess.

If you share your hotspot with family or coworkers regularly, pick something you can say out loud without confusion. Avoid letters that sound alike over the phone, like "I" and "L" or "O" and "zero". Writing it down in a safe place is also reasonable — you can always change it again if you need to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to turn off my hotspot to change the password?

No. You can change the password while the hotspot is running and devices are connected. The change takes effect when ready, but devices already connected will stay connected. Only new devices will need the new password.

Will changing my hotspot password affect my regular Wi-Fi or internet speed?

No. Your hotspot password is separate from your phone's cellular connection. Changing it does not affect how fast your phone connects to the internet or how fast devices receive data through the hotspot.

What if I change the password and a device cannot reconnect?

The device is trying to use the old password. Go to that device's Wi-Fi settings, find your hotspot name, and select "Forget" or "Remove". Then search for the hotspot again and reconnect using the new password. This clears out the old password from the device's memory.

Can I see which devices are connected to my hotspot?

On iPhone, open Settings > Personal Hotspot and you will see a count of connected devices, but not their names. On Android, this varies by manufacturer — some phones show connected devices in the hotspot settings menu, others do not. Changing your password is the only way to disconnect a specific device if you do not recognize it.

Is there a default password if I have never changed it?

Yes. When you first turn on your hotspot, your phone generates a random password automatically. This is the password you see in your hotspot settings. It is not a universal default — each phone creates its own unique one.