Where your hotspot password lives

Your hotspot password is stored in two places: on the device that creates the hotspot (your phone or tablet) and on any device you've connected to it. The easiest route is to look it up on the device that's broadcasting the hotspot, because that's where you set it originally. If you've forgotten it completely, you can reset it to a new password right there in your phone's settings.

The exact steps depend on whether you're using an iPhone, Android phone, or a mobile hotspot device — each stores this information in a different menu. But the principle is the same: go to the hotspot settings, find the password field, and either read what's there or create a new one.

Key Takeaways

  • On an iPhone, open Settings, tap Personal Hotspot, and look for the Wi-Fi Password field to see your current password.
  • On Android, go to Settings, find Hotspot or Tethering, tap the hotspot name, and select Show Password to reveal it.
  • If you don't remember setting a password, you can create a new one in the same menu without losing your connection.
  • If you're connected to the hotspot on another device but can't access the hotspot device itself, check that device's Wi-Fi settings for a saved password.

Finding your password on an iPhone

Open the Settings app and scroll down to find Personal Hotspot. Tap it. You'll see a toggle at the top that shows whether your hotspot is on or off, and below that you'll see Wi-Fi Password with a string of characters next to it. That string is your password — tap it to copy it to your clipboard, or just read it and write it down.

If the Wi-Fi Password field is blank or missing, your hotspot may not be turned on yet. Toggle Personal Hotspot on at the top of that screen first. Once it's on, the password field will appear. iPhone generates a password automatically when you first turn on Personal Hotspot, so you don't have to create one yourself unless you want to change it.

To change your password, tap the Wi-Fi Password field and type a new one. Use at least 8 characters — a mix of letters and numbers works well. When you save the new password, any device currently connected to your hotspot will lose its connection and will need to reconnect using the new password.

Finding your password on Android

Open Settings and look for Hotspot or Tethering — the exact name varies by phone brand. Tap it. You should see your hotspot name (called the SSID) and below it a password field. Some Android phones show the password in plain text right away; others hide it behind a Show Password toggle or eye icon. Tap that toggle to reveal the password.

If you see a password but don't remember setting it, Android created it automatically when you first turned on your hotspot. If the password field is empty, your hotspot may not be active yet. Go back one screen and toggle the hotspot on, then return to this menu.

To change your password on Android, tap the password field and type a new one. Most Android phones require at least 8 characters. After you save it, devices that were connected will disconnect and will need to reconnect with the new password.

Finding your password on a dedicated hotspot device

If you're using a standalone mobile hotspot device (sometimes called a MiFi or pocket Wi-Fi), the password is usually printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the device. Check there first — it's often the fastest way to find it.

If the sticker is worn or missing, you can access the device's settings through a web browser. Connect to the hotspot from a computer or phone, then open a browser and type the IP address shown in the device's manual (often something like 192.168.1.1). Log in with the username and password printed on the device, then look for a Wi-Fi or Network Settings section. The password will be listed there, and you can change it if you want.

Retrieving a password from a device you're already connected to

If you're using the hotspot on a laptop or phone but can't access the hotspot device itself, you can sometimes find the saved password in your connected device's settings.

On a Windows computer, right-click the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar, select Manage Wi-Fi connections, find your hotspot network in the list, click it, and select Properties. Check the box next to Show characters under the Security Key field to reveal the password.

On a Mac, hold Option and click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar, then look for the network name in the list. The password won't display there, but you can open Keychain Access (in Applications > Utilities), search for your hotspot network name, double-click it, and check Show password to reveal it.

On an iPhone or iPad connected to the hotspot, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the information icon (i) next to your hotspot network, and look for the password field. Some iOS versions display it; others do not.

What to do if you can't find or remember your password

If you've looked everywhere and still can't find it, the simplest solution is to create a new one. Go back to the hotspot settings on the device that's broadcasting it, change the password to something you'll remember, and then reconnect all your other devices using the new password.

If you can't access the hotspot device at all — for example, if it's lost or broken — you won't be able to retrieve the old password. When you get a replacement or find the device again, you'll set up a new password from scratch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my hotspot password if I'm not the one who set it up?

Only if you have access to the device that's broadcasting the hotspot. The password is stored there, not on the devices connected to it. If someone else owns the hotspot device, you'll need to ask them for the password or have them change it to something they can share with you.

Will changing my hotspot password disconnect devices that are already using it?

Yes. Any device currently connected will lose its connection as soon as you save the new password. Those devices will need to reconnect and enter the new password. This is normal and expected.

What if my hotspot password is blank or I never set one?

Some devices allow you to run a hotspot without a password, though this is a security risk. If yours is blank, go to the hotspot settings and create a password. Use at least 8 characters and avoid straightforward patterns like 12345678.

Is my hotspot password the same as my phone's PIN or lock code?

No. Your hotspot password is separate from your phone's security settings. It only controls who can connect to your Wi-Fi hotspot, not who can unlock your phone.

Can I reset my hotspot password if I forgot it?

Yes. Go to your hotspot settings and create a new password. You don't need the old one to do this — just type a new one and save it. All connected devices will need to reconnect with the new password.