Change Your Hotspot Name in Settings

To change your hotspot name, open your phone's Settings app and look for a section called Personal Hotspot, Tethering, or Mobile Hotspot — the exact name depends on whether you use iPhone or Android. Once you find it, you'll see a field with your current hotspot name (often your phone model and a string of numbers). Tap that field, delete the old name, type a new one, and save. The change takes effect when ready.

Your hotspot name, also called an SSID or network name, is what other devices see when they search for networks to join. It's separate from your phone's regular name. You can make it anything you want — up to 32 characters on most phones — and you can change it as often as you like without affecting your data plan or service.

Key Takeaways

  • Your hotspot name lives in Settings under Personal Hotspot (iPhone) or Mobile Hotspot (Android), not in your regular network settings.
  • You can use any name up to 32 characters, including spaces and most symbols, and the change takes effect when ready.
  • Changing the name does not affect your password, data speed, or how many devices can connect.
  • If you forget your new name after changing it, go back to the same Settings screen to see what you set it to.

iPhone: Change Your Personal Hotspot Name

On iPhone, go to Settings, then tap Personal Hotspot. You'll see a field labeled "Name" at the top with your current hotspot name in it. Tap that field to edit it. The keyboard will appear and the current name will be highlighted. Delete it and type your new name, then tap Done or Return. Your new hotspot name is now live.

If you don't see Personal Hotspot in your Settings menu, scroll down — it's usually near the bottom, below Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. On some older iPhones, it may be under Settings > General > Personal Hotspot instead. Once you've changed the name, any device that was already connected will stay connected, but new devices will see only your new name when they search for networks.

Android: Change Your Mobile Hotspot Name

On Android, the steps vary slightly by manufacturer, but the general path is Settings > Network & Internet > Hotspot & Tethering > Wi-Fi Hotspot (or Mobile Hotspot). Tap the settings icon or gear next to Wi-Fi Hotspot, then look for a field labeled "Hotspot Name" or "Network Name." Tap it, delete the current name, type your new one, and tap Save or OK.

Some Android phones put this under Settings > Connections > Mobile Hotspot instead, or label it "Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot." If you can't find it in the first location, use your phone's search function — open Settings and search for "hotspot" to jump straight to the right screen. The name change takes effect when ready, and any new devices searching for networks will see only your new name.

What Happens When You Change Your Hotspot Name

When you change your hotspot name, devices that were already connected stay connected — they don't get kicked off. However, if a device disconnects and tries to reconnect, it will need to search for your new network name. The password stays the same unless you separately change it in the hotspot settings, so you won't need to give people a new password.

Your data speed and the number of devices that can connect don't change when you rename the hotspot. Most phones allow 5 to 10 devices to connect at once, depending on the model. Changing the name is purely cosmetic — it's just what other people see when they look for your network.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common mistake is looking in the wrong place. Many people search their phone's Wi-Fi settings instead of the hotspot settings. Remember: your hotspot name is separate from your phone's Wi-Fi network. You're not changing the name of a network you're connected to; you're changing the name of the network your phone broadcasts.

Another mistake is confusing your hotspot name with your hotspot password. You can change the name without touching the password, and vice versa. If you want to change your password too, that's usually in the same hotspot settings screen, in a field labeled "Password" or "Security." Don't change the name thinking it will reset your password — it won't.

Choosing a Good Hotspot Name

Pick a name that's straightforward for you and your devices to recognize. Many people use their name, their phone model, or something straightforward like "Home WiFi" or "Work Network." Avoid names that are very long or full of special characters, because some older devices have trouble connecting to those. Spaces are fine, but stick to letters, numbers, and basic punctuation.

You don't need to include your location or personal information in the name — anyone nearby can see it anyway. If you share your hotspot with family or coworkers, a clear, neutral name like "Guest Network" or "Shared Hotspot" helps them find it quickly. You can change it back anytime, so don't overthink it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my hotspot name disconnect the devices already using it?

No. Devices that are already connected will stay connected. They only need to search for your new name if they disconnect and try to reconnect later. The connection itself doesn't break when you change the name.

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

Most phones allow letters, numbers, spaces, and basic punctuation like hyphens and underscores. Emojis and unusual symbols may not work on all devices, especially older phones or tablets. Stick to standard characters to make sure everyone can see and connect to your network.

Do I need to change my hotspot password when I change the name?

No. The name and password are separate. You can change one without changing the other. If you want to update your password too, that's a different setting in the same hotspot menu, but it's not required when you rename the hotspot.

What if I can't find the hotspot settings on my phone?

Use your phone's Settings search function. Open Settings and search for "hotspot" or "tethering" — this will take you straight to the right screen regardless of your phone model. If you still can't find it, your phone plan may not include hotspot, or your carrier may have disabled it.

Can I change my hotspot name on a tablet or laptop?

Only phones and some tablets can broadcast a hotspot. If your device can create a hotspot, the settings are in the same place as on a phone — look for Personal Hotspot or Mobile Hotspot in your network settings. Laptops and tablets that only connect to hotspots (rather than create them) cannot change a hotspot name.