Where to find your hotspot password right now
Your hotspot password is stored in your phone's settings, not in your carrier's app or online account. On Android, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Hotspot & Tethering (or Mobile Hotspot) and tap the gear icon next to your hotspot name — the password appears there. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > About and scroll to Name to see your hotspot name, then go back and open Personal Hotspot to find the password field.
If you cannot find these menus, search your phone's settings for "hotspot" or "tethering" — the exact path varies by manufacturer and iOS version. The password is always a string of letters and numbers that you set yourself or that your phone generated when you first turned on the hotspot.
Key Takeaways
- Your hotspot password lives in your phone's settings, not anywhere online or in your carrier's app.
- On Android, look under Settings > Network & Internet > Hotspot & Tethering, then tap the settings icon next to your hotspot name.
- On iPhone, the password is in Settings > Personal Hotspot, visible in the Wi-Fi password field.
- If you forgot the password, you can change it to a new one you will remember, and all connected devices will disconnect.
Android step-by-step
Open Settings and scroll down to find Network & Internet (some phones call this Connections). Tap it, then look for Hotspot & Tethering or just Mobile Hotspot. You should see your hotspot name listed — it usually starts with your phone model or your name.
Next to the hotspot name, there is a settings icon (usually a gear or three dots). Tap that icon. A menu opens showing your current hotspot name and the password field below it. The password is displayed in plain text. Write it down or take a screenshot before you close the menu.
If you do not see a settings icon, try tapping and holding on the hotspot name itself, or look for a button labeled Configure or Edit. On Samsung phones specifically, the path is Settings > Connections > Mobile Hotspot, then tap More options (three dots) > Configure Mobile Hotspot.
iPhone step-by-step
Open Settings and tap General. Scroll down and tap About. Near the top, you will see Name — this is your hotspot name (the Wi-Fi network name that other devices see). Write this down if you do not already know it.
Go back to the main Settings screen and tap Personal Hotspot. You will see a toggle to turn the hotspot on or off, and below that, a field labeled Wi-Fi Password. The password appears here in plain text. If the field is blank or grayed out, turn the hotspot on first by toggling the switch at the top.
On older iPhones (iOS 16 and earlier), the password field may be harder to find. If you do not see it in Personal Hotspot, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, find your own hotspot name in the list, tap the info icon next to it, and look for the password there.
What to do if you forgot the password
You cannot recover a forgotten hotspot password — you can only create a new one. On Android, open the hotspot settings menu (as described above), tap the password field, delete the current password, and type a new one you will remember. On iPhone, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot, tap the Wi-Fi password field, and replace it with a new password.
When you change the password, any device currently connected to your hotspot will disconnect when ready. Those devices will need to reconnect using the new password. This is normal and expected — there is no way to change the password without disconnecting everyone.
Make your new password at least 8 characters long and mix letters and numbers if you can. Avoid using your name, phone number, or birthday, since those are straightforward for someone nearby to guess.
Why your hotspot password matters
Your hotspot password controls who can connect to your phone's internet. Without the correct password, someone cannot use your data plan or see the devices connected to your hotspot. The password is the only barrier between your data and anyone within Wi-Fi range of your phone.
If you share your hotspot with family or coworkers, they need the password to connect. If you use your hotspot in public places like coffee shops or airports, keep the password strong and change it periodically. A weak or shared password means anyone nearby can connect and use your data without your knowledge.
Hotspot names and passwords are separate
Your hotspot name (also called the SSID) is what other people see when they look for Wi-Fi networks. Your hotspot password is what they type to connect. You can change either one independently. The name does not have to match your phone's name, and the password does not have to match anything else on your phone.
Some phones let you hide your hotspot name so it does not appear in Wi-Fi lists at all — people would need to know the exact name to connect. This adds a small layer of privacy, though it does not replace a strong password. If you hide your hotspot name, write down the exact name somewhere safe, because you will need to type it manually on any device that connects.
Troubleshooting: password field is blank or missing
If you see the hotspot settings but no password field, the hotspot is probably turned off. Turn it on first by toggling the main hotspot switch. Once it is on, the password field should appear within a few seconds.
If the password field still does not appear, restart your phone and try again. On Android, you can also try going to Settings > Apps (or process Manager) and clearing the cache for the Settings app — tap Settings, then Storage > Clear Cache. On iPhone, a restart usually fixes this issue.
If your phone does not have a hotspot option at all, your carrier may have disabled it on your plan. Contact your carrier to ask whether tethering is included in your service. Some plans charge extra for hotspot use, while others include it at no additional cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone see my hotspot password if they are connected to my Wi-Fi?
No. Once someone connects to your hotspot, they cannot see the password you used — they would need to access your phone's settings directly. However, they can see other devices connected to your hotspot and use your data plan.
What if I change my hotspot password and forget the new one?
You can change it again using the same steps. Go back to your hotspot settings, tap the password field, and create a new password. There is no limit to how many times you can change it.
Is my hotspot password the same as my phone's lock code?
No. Your hotspot password is separate from your phone's PIN, pattern, or face unlock. Changing one does not affect the other. Your phone's lock code protects access to your phone itself; your hotspot password protects access to your internet connection.
Why does my hotspot password have random letters and numbers I did not choose?
Your phone generates a default password when you first turn on the hotspot. You can change it to anything you prefer by following the steps above. The random password is find, but a password you choose yourself is easier to remember and share with others.
Do I need to change my hotspot password regularly?
Not unless you share it with people who no longer need access, or if you use your hotspot in public places frequently. If you keep the same password for months and only share it with trusted people at home, changing it is not necessary for security.