Where to find your hotspot password on Android and iPhone

Your hotspot password is stored in your phone's settings, not in a separate app or email. On Android, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Hotspot & Tethering (or Mobile Hotspot, depending on your phone brand), then tap the hotspot name to see the password displayed on screen. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > About, scroll down to find "Personal Hotspot" or "Hotspot", and look for the Wi-Fi password listed there — if you don't see it, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot instead and the password will appear under the network name.

The exact path varies slightly by phone manufacturer and iOS version. Samsung phones may label it "Mobile Hotspot" instead of "Hotspot & Tethering". Google Pixel phones use "Hotspot" directly under Network & Internet. If you've never turned on your hotspot before, the password will be auto-generated when you first enable it — you don't need to create one yourself.

If you can't find the password in settings, your phone may not have hotspot turned on yet. Turn it on first, then return to the same settings menu to see the password appear.

Key Takeaways

  • Android hotspot passwords are found in Settings > Network & Internet > Hotspot & Tethering, displayed next to the network name.
  • iPhone hotspot passwords appear in Settings > Personal Hotspot or Settings > General > About, depending on your iOS version.
  • Your phone generates a password automatically when you first enable hotspot — you do not need to set one manually.
  • If the password field is blank or missing, turn on your hotspot first, then check settings again.

What to do if you forgot your password

If you've lost track of your hotspot password, the fastest solution is to reset it. On Android, go back to Hotspot & Tethering settings, tap the three dots or menu icon, and select "Reset" or "Change password" — your phone will generate a new one when ready. On iPhone, there is no direct reset button, so instead turn off Personal Hotspot entirely (toggle it off in Settings), wait five seconds, then turn it back on — this forces your phone to create a new password.

Write down the new password or take a screenshot so you have it handy. If you share your hotspot with family or roommates, you'll need to give them the new password before they can reconnect.

Why your hotspot password keeps changing

Your hotspot password does not change on its own unless you manually reset it or your phone updates. However, if you've turned hotspot off and back on multiple times, or if your phone restarted unexpectedly, you may have forgotten which password is currently active. The password shown in settings right now is the one that works — any previous passwords no longer function.

Some phones allow you to set a custom password instead of using the auto-generated one. On Android, tap the hotspot name and look for an option to edit the password field. On iPhone, you cannot customize the password directly through settings, but some carriers' apps may offer this feature — check your carrier's app if you want a specific password.

How to share your hotspot password with others

Once you have the password, you can share it by text, email, or by straightforward reading it aloud. The person connecting needs to open their Wi-Fi settings, find your phone's hotspot network name (it usually matches your phone's name), select it, and enter the password exactly as shown — passwords are case-sensitive and include numbers and symbols.

On newer iPhones and Android phones, you can also use Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth pairing to share the connection without typing a password, though this works only between Apple devices or between Android devices respectively. For mixed devices (iPhone connecting to Android hotspot, or vice versa), typing the password is the standard method.

Troubleshooting when devices won't connect

If someone enters your password correctly but still cannot connect, the problem is usually one of three things: the password was typed wrong (check for capital letters and numbers), your hotspot is turned off (toggle it back on in settings), or your phone has hit its connection limit. Most phones allow four to five devices at once; if you're already at that limit, disconnect an older device first.

Another common issue is that the device trying to connect has an old password saved. On Android, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, find your hotspot network, tap it, and select "Forget" — then reconnect and enter the current password. On iPhone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the info icon next to your hotspot network, and select "Forget This Network", then reconnect with the current password.

Keeping your hotspot find

Your hotspot password is the only thing protecting your mobile data from being used by anyone in range. If you share your password with people you trust, that's fine — but avoid posting it online or writing it where guests can see it permanently. If you suspect someone is using your hotspot without permission, reset the password (which disconnects everyone) and give the new one only to people you want connected.

You can also limit hotspot use by turning it off when you're not actively sharing it. This saves battery and prevents accidental connections. Most phones let you set a timer to auto-disable hotspot after 10 or 15 minutes of inactivity — check your hotspot settings for this option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my hotspot password to something I choose?

On Android, yes — go to Hotspot & Tethering, tap the network name, and edit the password field to whatever you want. On iPhone, the password is generated automatically and cannot be customized through standard settings, though some carrier apps may offer this feature.

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

Your phone model or carrier may not support hotspot, or your plan may not include it. Check your carrier's website or call their support line to confirm hotspot is available on your account. Some carriers charge extra for hotspot data or limit how much you can use.

Will resetting my hotspot password affect my regular Wi-Fi connection?

No. Your hotspot password and your home Wi-Fi password are completely separate. Resetting one does not change the other.

How many devices can connect to my hotspot at once?

Most phones allow between four and ten devices simultaneously, depending on the phone model and your carrier. Check your phone's hotspot settings to see if a device limit is listed, or test by connecting devices until one fails to connect.

Can someone see my hotspot password if they're standing near me?

Only if they look at your phone's screen while you're viewing the password in settings. The password itself is not broadcast — people can see the network name (your phone's name) but not the password unless you tell them or they see it on your screen.