Where AT&T stores your PPPoE credentials

AT&T keeps your PPPoE username and password in your online account portal, not in emails or printed documents. You'll find them under your account settings once you log in with your regular AT&T username and password — the same one you use to pay your bill or check your account online.

The credentials are separate from your bill-pay login. Your PPPoE username typically looks like an email address (something@sbcglobal.net or something@att.net), and the password is a string of characters you may never have seen before because AT&T generates it automatically when your service starts.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into your AT&T account at att.com using your regular username and password, then navigate to your internet service settings to find your PPPoE credentials.
  • Your PPPoE username usually ends in @sbcglobal.net or @att.net and is different from the email address you use to log into your AT&T account.
  • If you cannot remember your account login password, use the "Forgot password" link on the AT&T homepage to reset it before looking for your PPPoE details.
  • AT&T customer service can retrieve your PPPoE username and password over the phone if you cannot access your online account, though you'll need to verify your account information first.

Steps to retrieve your credentials through AT&T's website

Start by going to att.com and clicking "Sign In" in the top right corner. Enter the username and password you use to manage your AT&T account — this is your bill-pay login, not your PPPoE credentials. If you don't remember this password, click "Forgot password?" and follow the reset process using your phone number or email address.

Once you're logged in, look for a section labeled "Internet" or "My Services." Click on the internet service associated with your account. You should see a page with your service details. Look for a link or button that says "Manage my service," "Service details," "Modem settings," or "Internet settings." The exact wording varies depending on your account type and when your service was set up.

On that page, scroll down until you find a section labeled "PPPoE username" or "Internet username" and "PPPoE password" or "Internet password." These are the credentials you need. Write them down exactly as they appear — they are case-sensitive, and spaces or special characters matter.

What to do if you can't find the credentials online

If you log into your AT&T account and don't see a PPPoE section, your account may not have internet service listed, or you may be looking in the wrong place. Try clicking directly on your internet service name rather than a general settings area. Some accounts show PPPoE details only when you select the specific service.

If you still cannot locate them after checking multiple sections, call AT&T customer service at 1-800-288-2020. Have your account number or phone number ready. Tell the representative you need your PPPoE username and password for your internet connection. They will verify your account information and read the credentials to you over the phone. Ask them to spell out the username and password character by character to avoid mistakes.

Resetting a forgotten PPPoE password

If you have your PPPoE username but cannot remember the password, you can reset it through your AT&T account. Log into att.com, navigate to your internet service details, and look for an option to "Change password" or "Reset password" next to your PPPoE information. Click that option and follow the prompts to create a new password.

AT&T will usually ask you to confirm your identity before allowing a reset — this might mean entering a code sent to your phone or email, or answering security questions. Once you've verified your identity, you can set a new PPPoE password. Write down the new password when ready, because you'll need it to configure your modem or router.

Why your PPPoE username looks like an email address

AT&T's PPPoE usernames end in @sbcglobal.net or @att.net because they're formatted as email addresses, even though they're not actually email accounts. This format is a technical requirement for how PPPoE connections work — the system needs a username in that structure to authenticate your connection to AT&T's network.

Do not confuse this with your actual email address or your AT&T account login. They are three separate things: your bill-pay username (used to log into att.com), your email address (if you have AT&T email), and your PPPoE username (used only to configure your modem). Your PPPoE username will not receive emails and cannot be used to log into your AT&T account.

What to do if AT&T says you don't have PPPoE credentials

Some AT&T internet plans, particularly newer fiber services, do not use PPPoE authentication. Instead, they use a different connection method that doesn't require a separate username and password. If AT&T tells you that your account doesn't have PPPoE credentials, your modem likely connects automatically without needing to enter login information.

Check your modem's manual or the setup instructions that came with your equipment to see what type of connection it uses. If you're setting up a new modem or router and it's asking for PPPoE credentials, contact AT&T to confirm whether your service requires them. They can tell you whether to skip that step or provide the correct credentials for your specific service type.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my AT&T bill-pay password as my PPPoE password?

No. Your PPPoE password is separate and was created automatically by AT&T when your internet service started. It's a different password than the one you use to log into att.com. If you try to use your bill-pay password for PPPoE, the connection will fail.

What if I see multiple usernames in my account settings?

AT&T sometimes displays both your account username and your PPPoE username in the same section. The PPPoE username is the one that ends in @sbcglobal.net or @att.net. If you're unsure which one to use, call AT&T customer service and ask them to confirm which credentials your modem needs.

Do I need to change my PPPoE password regularly?

AT&T does not require you to change your PPPoE password on a schedule. You only need to change it if you suspect someone else knows it, if you're troubleshooting a connection problem, or if AT&T asks you to. Changing it unnecessarily can cause your modem to lose connection until you update the password in your modem's settings.

Will AT&T email me my PPPoE credentials if I ask?

AT&T typically will not email PPPoE credentials for security reasons. They will provide them over the phone after verifying your identity, or you can retrieve them yourself through your online account. If you need them in writing, take a screenshot of your account page or write them down when you call customer service.