Change Your Personal Hotspot Name in Settings

You can rename your personal hotspot on both iPhone and Android by going into your device's settings and editing the hotspot name directly. The name you set here is what other people see when they search for your hotspot to connect. On iPhone, this name also becomes your device name across all Apple services, so choose something you recognize but wouldn't mind others seeing. On Android, the hotspot name is separate from your device name, giving you more flexibility.

The process takes about two minutes and requires no restart or special permissions. You do not need to disconnect anyone currently using your hotspot to change the name—the change takes effect when ready, but existing connections stay active until they drop or you manually disconnect them.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone, go to Settings > General > About and change the "Name" field to rename your hotspot.
  • On Android, open Settings > Network and Internet > Hotspot and Tethering, tap the gear icon next to your hotspot name, and edit the SSID field.
  • Your hotspot name is visible to anyone nearby searching for networks, so avoid including personal information.
  • Changing the name does not disconnect people already using your hotspot, but new connections will see the new name.

Steps to Rename on iPhone

Open the Settings app and tap General. Scroll down and select About. At the top of the About screen, you will see a field labeled Name—this is your device name, and it controls what your hotspot is called. Tap the name field and use the keyboard to type a new name. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks. Tap Done when finished.

The new name appears when ready in your Wi-Fi settings and becomes visible to other devices searching for hotspots. If you have already turned on Personal Hotspot in Settings > General > Personal Hotspot, the new name will show there as well. There is no separate hotspot name field on iPhone—the device name and hotspot name are the same.

Steps to Rename on Android

Open Settings and go to Network and Internet (the exact path varies slightly by manufacturer—Samsung calls it Connections, for example). Look for Hotspot and Tethering or Mobile Hotspot. You should see your current hotspot name listed. Tap the gear icon or settings button next to it—do not tap the toggle itself, as that turns the hotspot on or off.

A menu will open with options including SSID (the technical term for network name). Tap the SSID field and type your new name. Some Android versions also show a Security field where you can check your password; you can change it here if you want, though the name change alone does not affect your password. Tap Save or OK to confirm. The new name takes effect when ready.

What Happens to People Already Connected

Anyone currently using your hotspot will stay connected after you change the name. They will not see a notification or experience a disconnection. However, if they disconnect and try to reconnect, they will need to search for the new hotspot name instead of the old one.

If you want to force everyone off before changing the name, you can turn off Personal Hotspot entirely, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on. This disconnects all active users. Then change the name and turn the hotspot back on. This approach is useful if you are renaming the hotspot for security reasons or want a clean break from the old name.

Choosing a Safe Hotspot Name

Your hotspot name is visible to anyone within range searching for networks, so avoid including your real name, address, phone number, or other identifying information. A name like "Guest Network" or "Coffee Shop WiFi" is fine. Names that reveal your device type (like "iPhone 14 Pro") are safe but make your device a slightly easier target for attacks, so consider something generic instead.

You can also use this as a chance to signal something useful to people trying to connect. Some people name their hotspot "Password on Phone" or "Ask for Password" to remind guests to ask before connecting. Others use their name if they are sharing with friends and family who need to know whose hotspot it is.

Troubleshooting Name Changes That Do Not Appear

If you changed the name but other devices still see the old name, the most common cause is that your device has not broadcast the change yet. Turn your hotspot off and back on—this forces your device to announce the new name to nearby networks. Wait about 10 seconds after turning it off before turning it back on.

On Android, if the name field was grayed out or would not let you edit it, you may not have the right permissions. Check that you are logged into your device with an account that has administrator access. On iPhone, if the name field in About is grayed out, restart your phone and try again. If the problem persists, go to Settings > General > Reset and tap Reset Network Settings—this clears all saved networks and resets hotspot settings to default, after which you can set a new name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my hotspot name change my Wi-Fi password?

No. The name (SSID) and password are separate. Changing the name does not affect your password. If you want to change the password too, you can do that in the same settings menu on Android, but iPhone does not let you change the hotspot password—it is generated automatically when you first enable Personal Hotspot.

Can I use special characters or emoji in my hotspot name?

Most devices accept letters, numbers, spaces, and common punctuation. Emoji may work on newer phones but could cause problems on older devices trying to connect. Stick with standard characters to avoid connection issues.

What if I forgot what I named my hotspot?

Go back to the same settings menu where you changed it. On iPhone, check Settings > General > About and look at the Name field. On Android, go to Settings > Network and Internet > Hotspot and Tethering and look at the SSID field. That is your current hotspot name.

Does my hotspot name have to be unique?

No. You can name your hotspot the same as someone else's. However, if two hotspots with the same name are nearby, devices may have trouble connecting to the right one. Using a unique name makes it easier for your devices and guests to find your hotspot without confusion.

Can I change my hotspot name remotely?

No. You must physically access your phone and go into settings to change the hotspot name. There is no way to do it from another device or through an app.