Change Your iPhone Hotspot Name Through Settings

Open Settings on your iPhone, then tap Personal Hotspot. At the top of that screen, you will see a field showing your current hotspot name — it usually starts with "iPhone" followed by your name or a number. Tap that field, delete the existing text, type your new name, and tap Done. Your hotspot will broadcast under the new name the next time someone searches for available networks.

The name you choose appears to anyone within range who is looking for a Wi-Fi network to join. It does not affect your phone's actual name in your contacts or iCloud account — only the network broadcast. You can change it as often as you want, and the change takes effect when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Your hotspot name is changed in Settings > Personal Hotspot, in the field at the top of that screen.
  • The new name appears to other devices searching for Wi-Fi networks within range of your phone.
  • Changing the hotspot name does not change your iPhone's device name or any other settings.
  • The change takes effect right away and applies the next time someone searches for available networks.

What Happens When You Change the Name

Once you tap Done after entering a new name, your iPhone stops broadcasting the old name and starts broadcasting the new one. Devices that were already connected to your hotspot stay connected — they do not get disconnected when you change the name. New devices searching for your hotspot will only see the new name in their list of available networks.

If someone was in the middle of connecting to your old hotspot name when you changed it, their connection may drop. They will need to find your hotspot again using the new name and re-enter your hotspot password to reconnect.

Choosing a Hotspot Name That Works

Your hotspot name can be up to 32 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and spaces. Avoid names that are confusing or that mimic public networks — for example, naming your hotspot "Airport WiFi" or "Starbucks" can confuse people trying to connect to the real network. A clear, personal name makes it obvious to your intended users which network is yours.

Keep in mind that your hotspot name is visible to anyone nearby with a phone or laptop. If you prefer privacy, you can hide your hotspot network entirely by turning off the Personal Hotspot broadcast, though this makes it harder for your devices to find and connect to it automatically.

Hotspot Names and Device Limits

Changing your hotspot name does not change how many devices can connect to it at once. Most iPhones allow up to five devices to connect simultaneously, though some older models allow fewer. The name itself has no effect on connection speed, range, or stability — it is purely what other devices see when they search for networks.

If you have multiple Apple devices and want to use your iPhone as a hotspot for them, you can name it something that helps you remember which device it is — for example, "Sarah's iPhone" or "Work Phone Hotspot." This is especially useful if you have more than one iPhone in your household.

Resetting to the Default Hotspot Name

If you want to go back to your iPhone's original hotspot name, open Settings > Personal Hotspot again and change the name back to the default format. The default is usually "iPhone" followed by your first name or a number. You can type this manually, or you can reset your network settings entirely, which will restore all network names to their defaults — though this also removes saved Wi-Fi passwords and other network preferences.

Resetting network settings is not necessary just to change your hotspot name. straightforward typing in the new name and tapping Done is the fastest way to make the change.

Troubleshooting: Name Not Showing Up

If you changed your hotspot name but other devices still see the old name, try turning Personal Hotspot off and back on. Open Settings > Personal Hotspot and toggle it off, wait a few seconds, then toggle it back on. This forces your iPhone to stop and restart the broadcast with the new name.

If the name still does not appear after a few seconds, restart your iPhone. Press and hold the power button until the shutdown slider appears, slide to power off, wait a few seconds, then press and hold the power button again until you see the Apple logo. Once your phone restarts, turn Personal Hotspot back on and the new name should broadcast correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my hotspot name affect my iPhone's name in iCloud or my contacts?

No. Your hotspot name is separate from your device name. Changing the hotspot name only changes what other devices see when they search for Wi-Fi networks. Your iPhone's actual name in Settings > General > About remains unchanged.

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

You can use letters, numbers, and spaces. Special characters and emoji may not display correctly on all devices, so it is best to stick with standard text. Stick to names that are straightforward to read and recognize.

Will devices already connected to my hotspot disconnect if I change the name?

Devices that are already connected stay connected. Only new devices searching for your hotspot will see the new name. If someone is in the process of connecting when you change the name, their connection may drop and they will need to reconnect using the new name.

How often can I change my hotspot name?

You can change it as many times as you want. There is no limit to how often you can edit the name in Settings. Each change takes effect when ready once you tap Done.