Where your hotspot password lives
Your hotspot password is a string of characters you set up when you first turned on the mobile hotspot feature on your phone. It is not the same as your phone's unlock code or your carrier's account password. The password protects your hotspot from strangers connecting to it and using your data.
Where you find it depends on what kind of phone you have and what version of its operating system is running. The password is usually stored in the hotspot settings menu, not in a separate app. If you have never set a custom password, your phone generated a default one automatically — that default is what you need to find.
You do not need to contact your carrier or visit a store to retrieve it. The password is on your phone right now.
Key Takeaways
- Your hotspot password is stored in your phone's settings under the mobile hotspot or tethering menu, not in a separate app or account.
- On Android, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Hotspot & Tethering > Wi-Fi Hotspot to see the password field.
- On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Personal Hotspot and look for the Wi-Fi password shown on that screen.
- If you forgot the password you set, you can reset it to a new one from the same menu without losing any other phone settings.
- The password is only visible on the phone that created the hotspot, not on the devices connected to it.
Finding your password on Android
Open the Settings app on your Android phone. Tap Network & Internet or Connections — the exact name varies by manufacturer and Android version. Then tap Hotspot & Tethering or Mobile Hotspot.
You should see a toggle to turn the hotspot on or off. Below that, look for a button or link labeled Wi-Fi Hotspot, Configure, or Set up hotspot. Tap it. The password field will appear on the next screen. The password is usually 8 to 16 characters long and may include numbers, letters, and symbols. Write it down or take a screenshot before you leave this menu.
If you do not see the password field, your hotspot may not be set up yet. Turn the hotspot toggle on first, then go back into the configuration menu. The password will appear once the feature is active.
Finding your password on iPhone
Open the Settings app. Tap General, then scroll down and tap Personal Hotspot. You will see a toggle to turn the hotspot on or off. Below the toggle, you will see a line that says Wi-Fi Password followed by a string of characters. That string is your password.
If you do not see the Personal Hotspot option in General settings, your carrier may not support it on your plan, or your phone may not have the feature enabled. Check with your carrier before troubleshooting further.
The password on iPhone is always generated by the phone and cannot be changed through the settings menu. If you want a different password, you will need to reset your network settings, which will generate a new one — but this will also erase all saved Wi-Fi networks on your phone.
What to do if you cannot find the password
If you have looked in the hotspot settings and the password field is blank or missing, the hotspot feature may not be turned on. Go back to the hotspot toggle and switch it on. Wait a few seconds, then go back into the settings menu. The password should appear.
If the hotspot is on but you still do not see a password, restart your phone. This often fixes display glitches in the settings menu. After the restart, go back to the hotspot settings and check again.
If you have set a custom password in the past and cannot remember it, you can reset it. On Android, go back into the Wi-Fi Hotspot configuration menu and look for an option to change the password or reset to default. On iPhone, you will need to reset your network settings through Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This will generate a new password, but it will also erase all saved Wi-Fi networks on your phone.
Why you might not see the password on other devices
The devices connected to your hotspot — laptops, tablets, other phones — will not show your hotspot password. They only need to enter it once to connect. After that, they remember it and reconnect automatically.
If someone else needs the password, you have to tell them or show them the password on your phone. There is no way for them to see it on their own device once they are connected.
Resetting your password to something easier to remember
If your phone generated a password that is hard to remember, you can change it on most Android phones. Go back into the Wi-Fi Hotspot configuration menu, tap the password field, delete the current password, and type a new one. Use something you will remember but that is not obvious — avoid your birthday, your address, or your phone number.
On iPhone, you cannot change the password directly. If you want a new one, you must reset your network settings, which will erase all saved Wi-Fi networks on your phone. Most people find it easier to just write down the generated password and keep it somewhere safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my hotspot password on a device that is already connected to it?
No. Once a device connects to your hotspot, it stores the password in its own memory, but it does not display it back to you. Only the phone or tablet that created the hotspot can show you the password. If someone connected to your hotspot forgets the password, they will have to ask you for it or disconnect and reconnect using the password you provide.
Is my hotspot password the same as my Wi-Fi password at home?
No. Your hotspot password is completely separate from any home Wi-Fi network you use. Your phone generates and stores the hotspot password independently. Changing one does not affect the other.
What if I reset my phone — will I lose my hotspot password?
A factory reset will erase your custom hotspot password and return it to the default generated one. Your phone will create a new default password automatically after the reset. You will need to find it in the hotspot settings menu the same way you did before.
Can my carrier see my hotspot password?
Your carrier does not have access to your hotspot password. It is stored only on your phone. Your carrier can see that you are using hotspot and can measure how much data you are using, but they cannot see the password itself or who is connected to it.
Why is my hotspot password so long and random?
Your phone generates a long, random password by default to make it harder for someone nearby to guess it and connect without your permission. A shorter, simpler password would be easier for you to remember and share, but it would also be easier to crack. The long default is a security trade-off in your favor.