Where to find your hotspot password right now
Your hotspot password is stored in your phone's settings, not written down anywhere else. The exact location depends on whether you use an iPhone or Android phone, but both take less than a minute to find. You do not need to contact your carrier — the password is yours to see whenever you need it.
If you have already set up a hotspot and shared it with devices before, the password you created is still there. If you have never turned on your hotspot, you will see a default password that your phone generated automatically. Either way, the steps below will show you exactly where to look.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone, open Settings, tap Personal Hotspot, and look for the Wi-Fi password field — it shows as dots by default, so tap the eye icon to reveal it.
- On Android, go to Settings, find Hotspot or Tethering, tap the hotspot name, and the password appears in a field labeled Password or Network Password.
- If you see only dots or asterisks instead of the actual password, look for an eye icon or show/hide button next to the field.
- You can change your hotspot password anytime in the same settings menu if you want a new one.
Finding your password on iPhone
Open the Settings app and scroll down to find Personal Hotspot. Tap it. You will see a field labeled Wi-Fi Password with a series of dots — these dots are your actual password hidden for privacy.
To see the real password, tap the eye icon on the right side of the password field. The dots will change to letters and numbers. Write down or copy the password exactly as it appears. If you do not see an eye icon, try tapping directly on the dots themselves — some iPhone models reveal the password that way instead.
If Personal Hotspot does not appear in your Settings menu, your phone plan may not include hotspot, or it may be turned off. Scroll to the top of Settings and check that Wi-Fi is on. Then go back and look again — sometimes it takes a moment to appear after you turn Wi-Fi on.
Finding your password on Android
Open Settings and look for a section called Hotspot, Tethering, or Mobile Hotspot — the exact name varies by phone brand. Tap it. You should see your hotspot name (also called SSID) listed, usually with a toggle switch next to it.
Tap on the hotspot name itself, not the toggle. A menu will open showing the network details. Look for a field labeled Password or Network Password. If the password shows as dots or asterisks, look for an eye icon next to the field and tap it to reveal the actual characters.
Some Android phones show the password directly without hiding it. If you still cannot see it after tapping the eye icon, try taking a screenshot of the screen — the password will be visible in the image even if it appears hidden on your phone.
What to do if you cannot find the password field
If you have looked in the hotspot settings and the password field is straightforward not there, your phone may not have hotspot turned on yet. Look for a toggle or switch labeled Personal Hotspot (iPhone) or Mobile Hotspot (Android) and make sure it is in the on position. Once you turn it on, the password field will appear.
On some older Android phones, the hotspot settings are buried deeper. Try going to Settings, then Network, then Mobile Hotspot, then Advanced. If you still cannot find it, search your phone's Settings app by typing "hotspot" in the search box at the top — this will take you directly to the right menu.
If your phone shows a hotspot setting but no password field appears even after turning it on, your carrier may not support hotspot on your plan. Contact your carrier to confirm whether hotspot is included.
Changing your hotspot password
If you want a different password, you can create a new one in the same menu where you found the old one. On iPhone, tap the Wi-Fi Password field and select all the text, then type a new password. On Android, tap the password field and replace it with a new one.
Your new password must be at least 8 characters long on most phones. Use a mix of letters and numbers if you want it to be harder to guess. Once you save the change, any devices currently connected to your hotspot will be disconnected and will need to reconnect using the new password.
Sharing your password with others
Once you have your password, you can give it to anyone who needs to connect. They will open their Wi-Fi settings, find your hotspot name in the list of available networks, tap it, and enter the password you provide.
If you want to share the password without typing it out, some phones let you share it directly. On iPhone, go to Personal Hotspot, tap the Wi-Fi Password field, and look for a Share button. On Android, take a screenshot of the password screen and send it to the person — they can read it from the image.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the default hotspot password if I have never changed it?
Your phone created a random password automatically when you first set up hotspot. It is a combination of letters and numbers, usually 8 to 12 characters long. You can find it in your hotspot settings using the steps above. If you want something easier to remember, you can change it to anything you prefer.
Can I see my hotspot password if I forgot it?
Yes. Follow the steps for your phone type above — the password is always visible in your hotspot settings. You do not need to reset your phone or contact your carrier. If you cannot find the settings menu, use your phone's search function to type "hotspot" and it will take you directly there.
Why does my password show as dots instead of letters?
Your phone hides the password for privacy by default. Look for an eye icon next to the password field and tap it to reveal the actual characters. On some phones, tapping directly on the dots themselves will also show the password.
Do I need my carrier's permission to change my hotspot password?
No. Your hotspot password is entirely yours to change whenever you want. You can create a new one in your phone settings without contacting your carrier. The change takes effect when ready.
What if my hotspot password has special characters I cannot type on another device?
You can change your password to one with only letters and numbers. Go to your hotspot settings, tap the password field, and replace it with a simpler password. This makes it easier for others to connect without typing errors.