Where to find your hotspot password depends on your device type

Your hotspot password lives in your phone's settings, not in a separate app or email. On Android, it's under Settings > Network & Internet > Hotspot & Tethering. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > About, then scroll down to find "Personal Hotspot" — but first you need to turn on Personal Hotspot in Settings > Personal Hotspot. Windows and Mac computers that create hotspots store the password in network settings as well. The exact path changes slightly between phone models and operating systems, but the password is always stored locally on the device that broadcasts it.

If you've never set a password yourself, your phone generated one automatically when you first turned on the hotspot. That default password is usually random letters and numbers, printed nowhere else. If you've changed it since then, only that new password will work — the old one stops working when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Your hotspot password is stored in your phone's settings under the hotspot or tethering section, not sent to you by email or text.
  • Android phones show the password in Settings > Network & Internet > Hotspot & Tethering; iPhone shows it in Settings > Personal Hotspot after you turn it on.
  • If you've forgotten the password, you can create a new one in the same settings menu, and the old password stops working when ready.
  • The password you set is only for devices connecting to your hotspot — it's different from your phone's lock screen password or your carrier account password.

Finding your password on Android phones

Open Settings and tap Network & Internet (or Wireless & Networks on older phones). Look for Hotspot & Tethering or Mobile Hotspot. Tap Wi-Fi Hotspot or Personal Hotspot. The password appears on this screen — usually labeled as "Password" or "Network Password." Write it down or take a screenshot before you close the menu.

Some Android phones let you tap the password field to see it in plain text; others show it as dots by default. If you see dots, tap the eye icon next to the password field to reveal it. If there's no eye icon, the password is already visible.

If you want to change the password, tap Edit or the pencil icon on the same screen. Enter a new password (usually 8 to 63 characters), then save. Any devices currently connected will stay connected, but new devices will need the new password to join.

Finding your password on iPhones

Go to Settings > Personal Hotspot. If you don't see Personal Hotspot in the main Settings menu, tap General > About first — Personal Hotspot should appear in Settings after you've checked that screen. Once you're in Personal Hotspot, toggle it on if it's off. The Wi-Fi password appears directly below the toggle switch.

iPhone doesn't show the password as dots — it displays the full password in plain text. You can't see it without going into Settings, so if you need to share it with someone, you have to read it aloud or show them your phone screen.

To change your iPhone hotspot password, tap Wi-Fi Password on the Personal Hotspot screen, delete the current password, and type a new one. Tap Done to save. The change takes effect when ready.

Resetting your password if you can't remember it

You don't need to contact your carrier or reset your phone to change a forgotten hotspot password. straightforward go back to the hotspot settings on your phone and create a new password. The old password becomes invalid as soon as you save the new one, even if someone else is currently using it to connect.

If you're locked out of your phone entirely and can't access settings, you'll need to unlock your phone first. That process is separate from resetting your hotspot password. Once you're back in your phone, the hotspot password is always recoverable through settings.

What your hotspot password is not

Your hotspot password is separate from your phone's lock screen PIN or fingerprint. Changing one doesn't change the other. It's also different from your carrier account password — the one you use to log into your carrier's website or app to pay your bill. Someone who knows your hotspot password can connect to your internet, but they can't unlock your phone or access your carrier account.

The hotspot password only protects the Wi-Fi network your phone creates. It doesn't encrypt the data traveling through that network. If you're connecting to a public hotspot or sharing your phone's hotspot with others, avoid entering passwords or sensitive information on websites that don't use HTTPS (look for the lock icon in your browser's address bar).

Sharing your hotspot password with other devices

Once you know your password, you can share it with any device that has Wi-Fi. On the other device, open Wi-Fi settings, find your phone's hotspot network name (called the SSID), tap it, and enter the password. The device will remember the password and reconnect automatically the next time your hotspot is on.

On iPhones and some newer Android phones, you can use Wi-Fi Calling or when ready Hotspot to connect without typing the password manually — but you need to be signed into the same iCloud or Google account on both devices. For other devices like laptops, tablets, or older phones, typing the password is the standard method.

Changing your password regularly

There's no requirement to change your hotspot password, but you might want to if you've shared it with someone you no longer trust or if you suspect someone has connected without permission. Signs of unauthorized use include slower-than-normal speeds, your phone getting hot, or your data usage spiking unexpectedly.

If you change your password, devices that were previously connected will lose access and will need the new password to reconnect. You'll have to enter it manually on each device — there's no way to push the new password to them automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see who is connected to my hotspot?

Most phones don't show a list of connected devices in the hotspot settings menu. Some Android phones display the number of connected devices, but not their names or details. If you suspect unauthorized access, changing your password is the most reliable way to disconnect unknown users.

What if my phone doesn't show a hotspot password option?

Older phones or certain carriers may not support personal hotspot, or it may be disabled by default. Check your carrier's website or contact them to confirm your plan includes hotspot. If it does, restart your phone and check settings again. If the option still doesn't appear, your phone model may not support it.

Is my hotspot password the same as my Wi-Fi network name?

No. The network name (SSID) is what appears in the Wi-Fi list on other devices — it's often your phone's model or a name you chose. The password is what you type to connect. You can change both independently in hotspot settings.

Can I use a hotspot password with special characters?

Most phones accept letters, numbers, and common symbols like hyphens and underscores. Avoid characters that might not work on all devices, such as emojis or accented letters. Stick to standard keyboard characters to may support every device can connect.

What happens if I forget my hotspot password and can't access my phone's settings?

You'll need to unlock your phone first. If you've forgotten your lock screen password, contact your carrier or use your phone manufacturer's account recovery process. Once you're back in your phone, you can reset your hotspot password in settings.