You can change your hotspot name in your phone's settings in about two minutes

Your phone's hotspot broadcasts under a default name — usually something like "iPhone12" or "AndroidPhone" — that other devices see when they search for networks to join. You can change this name (called the SSID) to anything you want, and the change takes effect immediately. The steps differ slightly between iPhone and Android, but both are straightforward and don't require restarting your phone.

Changing your hotspot name is useful if you're sharing it with others and want a name that's easier to recognize, or if you want to keep it private by using something less obvious than your device model. It's also a good idea to change the default password at the same time, since the default is usually weak.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone, go to Settings > General > About and look for the "Name" field at the top — changing this changes your hotspot name.
  • On Android, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Hotspot & Tethering, tap the gear icon next to your hotspot, and edit the Network Name field.
  • Your new hotspot name appears to other devices within seconds; they may need to forget and rejoin the network to see the change.
  • Change your hotspot password at the same time to something stronger than the default, especially if you're sharing it with others.

Changing your hotspot name on iPhone

On iPhone, the hotspot name is tied to your device name. Open Settings, then tap General, then tap About. At the very top of the screen, you'll see a field labeled Name with your current device name in it. Tap that field and type the new name you want — up to 63 characters. When you're done, tap Done or just back out of the screen; the change saves automatically.

Your hotspot will now broadcast under the new name. If someone is already connected to your hotspot, they'll stay connected, but if they disconnect and search for networks again, they'll see the new name. If they don't see it right away, they can try forgetting the network (in their own Settings > Wi-Fi) and searching again.

Changing your hotspot name on Android

On Android, the steps depend slightly on your manufacturer, but the general path is the same. Open Settings, then go to Network & Internet (sometimes labeled Connections). Look for Hotspot & Tethering or Mobile Hotspot. You should see your current hotspot listed with a gear or settings icon next to it — tap that icon.

In the hotspot settings screen, look for a field labeled Network Name or SSID. Tap it and type your new name. Some Android phones also let you change the password here — if you see a Password or Security field, you can update that too. Tap Save or Apply when you're done. The new name takes effect immediately.

What happens when you change the name

The new hotspot name appears to other devices within a few seconds. If someone is actively using your hotspot when you change the name, they won't be kicked off — the change doesn't interrupt an active connection. However, if they disconnect and search for networks again, they'll see the new name, not the old one.

If a device was previously connected and doesn't see the new name in its list, it's usually because the device is still looking for the old name. They can fix this by going into their Wi-Fi settings, finding the old hotspot name, and tapping "Forget This Network." Then they can search again and connect to the new name.

Choosing a strong hotspot password at the same time

While you're in your hotspot settings, it's a good idea to change the password too. The default password that comes with your phone is usually weak and easy to guess. On iPhone, you can't change the password directly in the Name field — you have to go to Settings > General > About, scroll down to find Personal Hotspot, and tap Wi-Fi Password. On Android, the password field is usually right next to the Network Name in the hotspot settings.

A strong hotspot password should be at least 12 characters and mix uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Something like "Coffee2024!Blue" is much harder to crack than "password" or "12345678." If you're sharing your hotspot with people you trust, you can use something easier to remember, but if it's open to guests or coworkers, a stronger password keeps out unwanted users who might slow down your connection or access your shared files.

Troubleshooting if the name doesn't change

If you've changed the name but other devices still see the old one, try turning your hotspot off and back on. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > About, scroll down to Personal Hotspot, and toggle it off, then back on. On Android, go to your hotspot settings and toggle the hotspot off and back on. This forces your phone to broadcast the new name.

If that doesn't work, restart your phone entirely. This is rare, but sometimes the hotspot service needs a full restart to pick up the new name. After restarting, turn the hotspot back on and check that the new name appears in the broadcast list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any name I want for my hotspot?

Almost any name works, but avoid special characters that aren't on a standard keyboard — stick to letters, numbers, spaces, and basic punctuation. Most phones limit you to 63 characters, so very long names get cut off. Avoid names that look like official networks (like "AirportWiFi" or "StarbucksGuest") because it can confuse people trying to connect.

Does changing the hotspot name affect my phone's performance?

No. Changing the name is purely cosmetic and doesn't change how your hotspot works or how fast it connects. It's just the label that other devices see when they search for networks.

Will people already connected to my hotspot get disconnected when I change the name?

No. Active connections stay active. They'll only see the new name if they disconnect and search for networks again. If they stay connected, they won't notice any change.

What's the difference between the hotspot name and the password?

The name (SSID) is what other devices see when they search for networks — it's public. The password is what they need to type to actually connect. You can change both independently, and you should change both if you want better security.

Can I change my hotspot name back to the default?

Yes. Just follow the same steps and type the original name back in. On iPhone, the default is usually your first name followed by "'s iPhone" (like "Sarah's iPhone"). On Android, it varies by manufacturer but is often something like "AndroidAP" or your phone model name.