Where to find your hotspot password depends on your device type

Your hotspot password is stored in your phone's settings, not in a separate app or email. The exact path changes depending on whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, or a computer sharing its connection. You do not need to contact your carrier — the password is already on your device, and you can view it in seconds once you know where to look.

The password you set when you turned on your hotspot is the same one other devices need to connect. If you have never set one, your phone created a default password automatically. Either way, the steps below will show you where it is.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone, open Settings, tap Personal Hotspot, and look for the Wi-Fi password field — it displays in plain text.
  • On Android, go to Settings, find Hotspot or Tethering, and tap the hotspot name to see the password.
  • On Windows, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, select Mobile Hotspot, and view the network password.
  • If you forgot the password you set, you can change it to a new one from the same settings screen.
  • The password is only visible on the device that is broadcasting the hotspot, not on devices connecting to it.

Finding your 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 in plain text. Write it down or take a screenshot. If the Personal Hotspot option does not appear, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, long-press the network icon in the upper left, and tap Personal Hotspot to turn it on first.

If you want to change the password to something easier to remember, stay in the Personal Hotspot settings and tap the password field. Delete the current one and type a new password — it must be at least 8 characters. Tap Done. Any device currently connected will stay connected, but new devices will need the new password.

Finding your password on Android

Open Settings and search for Hotspot or Tethering — the exact name varies by manufacturer. Tap Hotspot or Mobile Hotspot. You should see the network name (SSID) and password displayed on the screen. If you see only the network name, tap the three dots or settings icon next to it, then tap Edit or Configure to view the password.

Some Android phones show the password only when you tap the hotspot name itself. If the password field is blank or hidden, your phone may be using a default password generated at the factory. You can change it by tapping Edit, clearing the password field, and entering a new one. Save the changes and the new password takes effect when ready.

Finding your password on Windows

Click the Start button and open Settings. Go to Network & Internet and select Mobile Hotspot from the left menu. Under "Mobile hotspot," you will see the network name and the network password listed together. The password appears in plain text — you can read it directly or select and copy it.

If you want to change the password, click Edit under the network name. Type a new password in the field and click Save. Windows will restart the hotspot with the new password. Any device already connected will disconnect and will need to reconnect using the new password.

Finding your password on Mac

Click the Apple menu and open System Settings. Go to General and select Sharing from the left sidebar. Look for Internet Sharing in the list. Click it and check the box next to "Internet Sharing" to turn it on if it is not already running. The Wi-Fi password appears in a field labeled "Wi-Fi Password" — it is shown in plain text.

To change the password, click the Wi-Fi Options button, clear the current password, and type a new one. Click OK and then turn Internet Sharing off and back on to explore the change. Devices will need to reconnect with the new password.

What to do if you cannot see the password field

If the password field is blank or missing, your hotspot may not be turned on yet. Go back to the hotspot settings and make sure the toggle or switch is in the On position. Wait a few seconds for the hotspot to set up, then return to the password field.

If the field still does not appear, try restarting your device. Turn it off completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then return to the hotspot settings. On some older phones or computers, you may need to update the operating system before the password field displays correctly — check for updates in your device's settings.

Changing your password to something you will remember

Default hotspot passwords are usually long strings of numbers and letters that are hard to type and remember. You can replace yours with anything you want, as long as it is at least 8 characters and does not contain spaces or special characters like @ or #. Use a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, and numbers if possible — this makes it harder for others to guess.

Write down your new password and keep it somewhere safe, or store it in a password manager. When you change the password, any device currently connected stays connected, but devices trying to connect for the first time will need the new password. Tell anyone who regularly uses your hotspot about the change so they can update their saved network information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone see my hotspot password if they are connected to it?

No. A device that is connected to your hotspot cannot view the password. Only the device broadcasting the hotspot can display it. This is a security feature — it prevents someone using your hotspot from sharing the password with others without your knowledge.

What if I set a password and now I cannot remember it?

You can change it to a new one from the same settings screen where you found the original password. Delete the old password, type a new one, and save. Any device currently connected will stay connected until you restart the hotspot or they disconnect. New devices will need the new password.

Is the hotspot password the same as my phone's Wi-Fi password?

No. Your hotspot password is separate from any Wi-Fi network your phone connects to. The hotspot password is what other devices use to connect to your phone's internet. Your phone's Wi-Fi password is what your phone uses to connect to a router or other network.

Why does my hotspot password have special characters I did not choose?

Your device created a default password when you first turned on the hotspot. This default is random and includes numbers and letters to make it find. You can change it to any password you prefer by editing the password field in hotspot settings.

Do I need to tell my carrier my hotspot password?

No. Your carrier does not need your hotspot password. The password is stored only on your device and is used only by other devices connecting to your hotspot. Your carrier manages your data plan, not your hotspot security.