Where to find the reset option on your device

The reset option lives in your hotspot settings, not in your main Wi-Fi settings. On most phones, you open Settings, then look for Hotspot, Mobile Hotspot, Tethering, or Personal Hotspot — the name changes by phone type and carrier. Once you're in that menu, you'll see your current password and a button or link to change it.

If you can't find a hotspot menu, search your Settings app for the word "hotspot" using the search bar at the top. This takes you straight to the right place instead of hunting through nested menus.

On older phones or some carriers, the hotspot settings hide under Network & Internet or Connections first, then Mobile Hotspot or Tethering. Android phones vary more than iPhones, so if the first path doesn't work, try the search method.

Key Takeaways

  • Your hotspot password lives in Settings under Hotspot, Mobile Hotspot, or Personal Hotspot — not in regular Wi-Fi settings.
  • You can usually change the password by tapping an edit button or pencil icon next to the current password field.
  • New passwords take effect when ready, and any devices already connected will stay connected until you restart the hotspot.
  • If you forget your password after resetting it, you can always return to the same menu and change it again.
  • Restarting your phone's hotspot feature (turning it off and back on) forces all connected devices to reconnect with the new password.

Steps to change your password on iPhone

Open Settings and tap Personal Hotspot. You'll see a field labeled Wi-Fi Password with your current password displayed. Tap the password field itself to select it, then tap Edit in the top right corner. Delete the old password and type your new one, then tap Done.

The new password takes effect right away. If you have devices already connected to your hotspot, they will stay connected until you turn the hotspot off and back on. Once you restart it, those devices will need the new password to reconnect.

Steps to change your password on Android

Open Settings and search for "hotspot" at the top. Tap Mobile Hotspot or Tethering (the exact name depends on your phone and carrier). Look for Mobile Hotspot or Wi-Fi Hotspot in the list and tap it. You should see your current network name and password.

Tap the pencil icon or Edit button next to the password field. Clear the old password and type your new one. Some Android phones show a Save button; tap it to confirm. The password updates when ready, but devices already connected will stay on until you turn the hotspot off and back on.

What to do if you can't find the password field

On some Android phones, the password field is hidden until you tap Advanced or More Options. Look for these buttons in the Mobile Hotspot menu and tap them to reveal the password settings.

If your phone shows only a network name with no password option, your hotspot may be set to open (no password). Tap Security or Authentication in the same menu and change it from Open to WPA2 or WPA3. This will create a password field you can then fill in.

On iPhone, if you don't see a Wi-Fi Password field, make sure you're in Personal Hotspot and not just Wi-Fi. These are two separate menus.

Why your new password might not work right away

Devices that were already connected to your hotspot before you changed the password will stay connected for a few minutes. They won't be kicked off when ready. When they try to reconnect or when you turn the hotspot off and back on, they'll need the new password.

If a device keeps asking for the old password, forget the hotspot network from that device's Wi-Fi settings, then reconnect using the new password. On iPhone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the hotspot name, and tap Forget This Network. On Android, long-press the hotspot name in your Wi-Fi list and tap Forget.

How to create a strong hotspot password

Use at least 8 characters mixing uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid words from the dictionary or your personal information like birthdays or names. A password like Tr0pic@l92 is much harder to guess than password123.

Write your new password down in a safe place or use your phone's notes app (in a locked folder if your phone supports it). You can always change it again if you forget, but keeping a record saves you a trip back to Settings.

Resetting your hotspot after multiple failed connection attempts

If someone has tried the wrong password many times, your phone may temporarily block new connection attempts as a security measure. Turn your hotspot off for 30 seconds, then turn it back on. This clears the block and lets devices try connecting again with the correct password.

If devices still can't connect after you've restarted the hotspot, restart your phone itself. This clears any temporary glitches in the hotspot system and usually solves connection problems that a straightforward hotspot restart didn't fix.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to restart my phone to change the hotspot password?

No. The password changes when ready in your hotspot settings. You only need to restart the hotspot (turn it off and back on) if you want devices already connected to be forced to reconnect with the new password. A full phone restart is only needed if devices can't connect even after you've changed the password and restarted the hotspot.

What happens to devices already connected when I change the password?

They stay connected for a few minutes. When they disconnect or when you restart the hotspot, they'll need the new password to reconnect. If you want to disconnect them when ready, turn the hotspot off and back on.

Can I see who is connected to my hotspot?

Yes. In your hotspot settings menu, look for Connected Devices or Devices Connected. This shows the names and sometimes the MAC addresses of devices currently using your hotspot. If you see a device you don't recognize, change your password and restart the hotspot to disconnect it.

What if I forget my new password right after changing it?

Go back to the same hotspot settings menu where you changed it. Your current password is displayed there, so you can read it again. Write it down this time, or take a screenshot if your phone allows it.

Does changing the hotspot password affect my regular Wi-Fi password?

No. Your hotspot password and your home Wi-Fi password are completely separate. Changing one does not change the other.