Where to find your hotspot password depends on your device type

Your hotspot password is stored in your phone's settings, not written down anywhere else. The exact location changes depending on whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, or a computer sharing its connection. You do not need to contact your carrier — the password is yours to see and change whenever you want.

The fastest way is to open Settings on the device creating the hotspot, find the Personal Hotspot or Tethering section, and look for the password field. It will be displayed in plain text, though some phones hide it behind a "show password" toggle. If you have forgotten it completely, you can reset it to a new one from the same screen.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhones, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot to see your current password and change it if needed.
  • On Android phones, open Settings > Network and Internet > Hotspot and Tethering to find the password field.
  • Windows and Mac computers show the hotspot password in Network Settings under the sharing or hotspot section.
  • You can reset your hotspot password to anything you want without calling your carrier or losing service.
  • If a device cannot connect even with the correct password, restart both the hotspot phone and the device trying to join.

Finding the password on an iPhone

Open Settings and tap Personal Hotspot. You will see a toggle to turn the hotspot on or off, and below it a Wi-Fi password field. The password appears in plain text — tap and hold to select it, then copy it to share with someone else. If you want to change the password, tap the password field, delete the current one, and type a new one. The new password takes effect when ready.

If you do not see the Personal Hotspot option, your phone plan may not support it, or you may need to update iOS. Check Settings > General > Software Update first. Some carriers also require you to add a tethering plan, though most include it by default now.

Finding the password on an Android phone

Open Settings and look for Network and Internet or Connections (the exact name varies by manufacturer). Tap Hotspot and Tethering or Mobile Hotspot, then tap the option to set up or manage your hotspot. You will see a password field — the password is usually visible by default, but you can tap the eye icon to toggle it hidden or shown.

To change the password, tap the password field and type a new one. Some Android phones let you set the password when you first turn on the hotspot; others require you to tap an edit or settings button within the hotspot menu. If you cannot find the hotspot option, search Settings for "hotspot" using the search bar at the top.

Finding the password on Windows

Open Settings and go to Network and Internet > Mobile Hotspot. If you see a toggle to turn on Mobile Hotspot, your computer supports it. Below the toggle, you will see a network name and password field. The password is hidden by default — click the eye icon next to it to reveal the full password.

To change the password, click Edit under the network name and password section, type a new password, and click Save. The new password takes effect the next time you turn on the hotspot. If you do not see the Mobile Hotspot option, your computer may not have a cellular connection or the feature may not be available on your version of Windows.

Finding the password on Mac

Click the Apple menu and go to System Settings > General > Sharing. Look for Internet Sharing in the list on the left. Click Internet Sharing, then check the box next to it to turn it on. A window will appear showing your Wi-Fi network name and password. The password is visible in plain text — you can select and copy it directly.

To change the password, click the Wi-Fi Options button, type a new password in the password field, and click OK. The change takes effect when ready. Your Mac will share its internet connection over Wi-Fi to any device that joins with the correct password.

Resetting a forgotten hotspot password

If you cannot remember your hotspot password, you do not need to recover it — you can create a new one. Open the hotspot settings on the device that creates the connection, delete the current password, and type a new one. Write down the new password or store it somewhere you can find it later.

If you have changed the password so many times that you cannot remember any recent version, the simplest fix is to reset the device's network settings entirely. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. On Android, go to Settings > System > Reset Options > Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile and Bluetooth. This clears all saved networks and passwords, so you will need to set up the hotspot again from scratch.

Why a device cannot connect even with the correct password

The most common reason is that the hotspot phone and the connecting device are too far apart or have obstacles between them. Move both devices closer and try again. Another frequent cause is that the hotspot phone has run out of data or the plan has been suspended — check with your carrier if you are unsure.

If the password is definitely correct and the devices are close, restart both the hotspot phone and the device trying to join. Turn off the hotspot, wait 10 seconds, turn it back on, then try to connect again. If that does not work, restart the connecting device as well. If the problem persists, forget the network on the connecting device (go to Wi-Fi settings, tap the network name, and select Forget), then reconnect using the password again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone see my hotspot password if they are connected to it?

No. A person connected to your hotspot cannot see the password you set. They would need physical access to your phone or computer and permission to open Settings to view it. You can disconnect any device from your hotspot at any time through the same settings menu.

What if I set a hotspot password and now I cannot remember it?

You can create a new password without losing anything. Open your hotspot settings, tap or click the password field, delete the old password, and type a new one. All previously connected devices will be disconnected and will need the new password to rejoin.

Is my hotspot password the same as my Wi-Fi password at home?

No. Your hotspot password is separate from your home Wi-Fi password. The hotspot password is created by your phone or computer and is only used when sharing that device's internet connection. Your home Wi-Fi password is set on your router.

Can I use any characters in my hotspot password?

Most devices accept letters, numbers, and common symbols like hyphens and underscores. Avoid special characters that might not display correctly on older devices. A password of 8 to 16 characters with a mix of letters and numbers is usually easiest to type and remember.

Does changing my hotspot password affect my phone plan or data?

No. Changing your hotspot password is a local setting on your device only. It does not contact your carrier, change your plan, or affect your data allowance. You can change it as many times as you want.