Where to find your hotspot password right now

Your hotspot password is stored in the settings of whatever device is creating the hotspot — your phone, tablet, or laptop. The exact location depends on what you own and what operating system it runs. The fastest way is to open Settings, find the hotspot or tethering section, and look for a field labeled "Password," "Network Key," or "Security Key." If you set up the hotspot yourself, the password you created will be there. If someone else set it up, you may need their help to view it, because most devices hide the password behind a security screen.

If you cannot find the password in settings, it may have been set to a default value when the device left the factory — usually printed on a sticker somewhere on the device itself. This is less common now, but older phones and routers sometimes use this approach. The sticker typically appears on the back or bottom of the device and shows a string of numbers and letters labeled "Default Password" or "WiFi Key."

Key Takeaways

  • Hotspot passwords are stored in your device's Settings under the hotspot or tethering section, usually labeled "Password" or "Network Key."
  • Android phones show the password in Settings > Network & Internet > Hotspot, while iPhones require you to go to Settings > Personal Hotspot and look for the WiFi password field.
  • If the password is hidden behind dots or asterisks, you may need to reset it to see the actual characters, or ask whoever created the hotspot to show it to you.
  • Some devices print a default password on a physical sticker on the back or bottom; check there if you cannot find it in settings.
  • Resetting your hotspot password is faster than trying to recover a forgotten one — most devices let you change it in the same settings menu where you view it.

Finding the password on an Android phone

Open Settings and tap Network & Internet or Connections (the name varies by manufacturer). Look for Hotspot, Tethering, or Mobile Hotspot — Samsung calls it "Mobile Hotspot," while Google Pixel uses "Hotspot." Tap that option, then tap the hotspot name or look for a gear icon next to it to open the hotspot settings.

You should see a field showing your network name (called the SSID) and below it a field labeled Password, Network Key, or WiFi Password. If the password appears as dots or asterisks, tap the eye icon next to it to reveal the actual characters. If there is no eye icon, the password is locked and you will need to reset it instead — tap Edit or Change Password, create a new one, and save it.

Finding the password on an iPhone or iPad

Open Settings and tap Personal Hotspot. You will see the WiFi password displayed in plain text on this screen — it is usually a string of eight or more characters. If you do not see a password field at all, Personal Hotspot may not be turned on yet. Toggle the Personal Hotspot switch to on, and the password will appear.

Unlike Android, iPhones do not hide the password behind an eye icon or asterisks. The password is visible as soon as you open the Personal Hotspot settings. If you want to change it, tap the password field itself and type a new one, then tap Done. The new password takes effect when ready.

Finding the password on a Windows or Mac laptop

On Windows 10 or 11, open Settings and go to Network & Internet > Mobile Hotspot. You will see your network name and password displayed on this screen. If the password field shows asterisks, right-click the field and select Show to reveal the actual characters. To change the password, click Edit and type a new one.

On Mac, open System Settings and go to General > Sharing. Click WiFi on the left side, then click the info icon next to your hotspot name. The password appears in the WiFi Password field. If it shows dots, there is no way to reveal it without resetting — click Change WiFi Password, create a new one, and click Done.

What to do if you cannot find the password

If the password field is completely empty or missing, the hotspot may not be set up yet. Go back to the hotspot settings, make sure the hotspot is turned on, and create a password if prompted. Some devices require you to set a password before the hotspot will broadcast.

If the hotspot is on but you still cannot see the password, resetting it is usually faster than trying to recover it. In the same settings menu where you looked for the password, find an option to Edit, Change, or Reset the password. Create a new password — make it at least eight characters and include a mix of letters and numbers so it is harder to guess. Save the new password, and it will take effect within a few seconds. Anyone currently connected to the old hotspot will be disconnected and will need to reconnect using the new password.

Default passwords on older devices

Older phones, tablets, and mobile hotspot devices sometimes came with a factory-set password printed on a sticker. Check the back, bottom, or battery compartment of your device for a label that says "Default Password," "WiFi Key," or "Network Key." The password is usually a string of numbers and letters printed next to one of these labels.

If you find a default password on a sticker, you can use it to connect to the hotspot, but you should change it to something only you know. Go to the hotspot settings, find the option to change the password, and replace the default with a new one. This prevents anyone who sees the sticker from connecting to your hotspot without permission.

Sharing your hotspot password with others

Once you have found your password, you can share it with anyone who needs to connect to your hotspot. Give them the network name (SSID) and the password — they will need both. On their device, they open WiFi settings, find your network name in the list of available networks, tap it, and enter the password when prompted.

If you want to change who can connect, you do not have to tell everyone a new password — you can straightforward turn off the hotspot when you do not want people using it. The hotspot settings also usually include an option to limit the number of devices that can connect at once, which can help preserve battery life and data speed if many people are trying to use it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my hotspot password if someone else created it?

Not always. Most devices show the password only to whoever is logged into that device. If someone else set up the hotspot on their phone, you cannot view the password from your own device — you have to ask them to show it to you or reset it. If you have physical access to their device and know their unlock code, you can open their hotspot settings and view it there.

What if I forgot my hotspot password?

Reset it. Open your hotspot settings, find the option to change or edit the password, and create a new one. There is no way to recover a forgotten password — you can only replace it. Once you set a new password, anyone connected to the old one will be disconnected and will need to reconnect using the new password.

Is my hotspot password the same as my phone's lock screen password?

No. Your hotspot password is separate from your phone's lock screen password, your email password, and any other password you use. You set the hotspot password in the hotspot settings, and it only controls who can connect to your hotspot. Changing one does not affect the others.

Why does my hotspot password keep changing?

Some devices generate a new random password each time you turn the hotspot on. Check your hotspot settings for an option like "Auto-generate password" or "Random password" — if it is turned on, disable it. Once you turn that off, your password will stay the same until you manually change it.

Can I use any password I want for my hotspot?

Most devices let you use any combination of letters, numbers, and symbols, but some have restrictions — they may require at least eight characters, or they may not allow certain special characters. Try your password in the hotspot settings. If it does not work, the device will usually tell you what characters are not allowed. Stick to letters and numbers if you are unsure.