You can change your hotspot name in your phone's settings in under a minute

Your hotspot broadcasts a name — called the SSID or network name — that other devices see when they search for networks to join. By default, your carrier or phone manufacturer picks this name for you, often something like "iPhone12" or "AndroidPhone_5G". You can replace it with anything you want: your own name, a joke, a business name, or anything else that fits in the character limit.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, or a separate mobile hotspot device. All three take about one minute. You do not need to contact your carrier or restart anything.

Key Takeaways

  • Your hotspot name is the network name other devices see when they look for networks to join, and you can change it to anything you want in your phone's settings.
  • On iPhone, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot and change the name in the "Wi-Fi Password" section; on Android, go to Settings > Tethering and Portable Hotspot and tap the gear icon next to your hotspot name.
  • Hotspot names can be up to 32 characters long and can include letters, numbers, spaces, and most symbols, but some special characters may not work.
  • After you change the name, devices that were already connected will stay connected, but new devices will see the new name when they search for networks.

How to change your hotspot name on iPhone

Open Settings and tap Personal Hotspot. You will see a toggle to turn the hotspot on or off, and below that a section labeled "Wi-Fi Password". The name of your hotspot appears at the top of that section — it looks like a blue link or button. Tap it to edit.

Type your new name and tap Done. The change takes effect when ready. Any device that tries to connect after this point will see the new name. Devices already connected will stay connected without interruption.

How to change your hotspot name on Android

Open Settings and search for "hotspot" or "tethering" — the exact path varies by manufacturer. Look for "Portable Hotspot" or "Mobile Hotspot". Tap it to open the hotspot settings page.

You will see your current hotspot name listed. Next to it or below it is a gear icon or settings button. Tap that icon. A menu will open with options including "Hotspot Name" or "Network Name". Tap that field, delete the current name, type your new one, and tap Save or Done. The change takes effect right away.

How to change the name on a separate mobile hotspot device

If you use a standalone hotspot device — a small box or card that creates its own network — the process depends on the device model. Most have a button or screen on the device itself, or a companion app on your phone.

Check the device manual or the manufacturer's website for your specific model. Common brands include Netgear, TP-Link, and Cradlepoint. The app or device menu will have a section for "Network Name", "SSID", or "Hotspot Settings" where you can edit the name the same way you would on a phone.

What characters and length limits explore to hotspot names

Hotspot names can be up to 32 characters long. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks. Hyphens, underscores, and periods work reliably. Some special characters like @ or # may not work on all devices, so if you use them and a device cannot see your hotspot, try removing them.

The name you choose is visible to anyone within range of your hotspot, so avoid putting sensitive information in it — for example, do not include your full address or phone number. The name itself does not affect security; your hotspot is still protected by the password you set.

What happens to devices already connected when you change the name

Devices that are already connected to your hotspot will stay connected and keep working. They do not need to reconnect or re-enter the password. The name change is invisible to them.

New devices that search for networks will see only the new name. If someone has your old hotspot name saved in their device's network list, they will need to "forget" the old network and reconnect to the new one using the new name and your password.

Why you might want to change your hotspot name

Some people change their hotspot name to make it easier to identify among many networks in a crowded area — for example, "Smith Family Hotspot" instead of "iPhone14Pro". Others change it for privacy, replacing a default name that reveals their phone model. Some use it for business, naming it after their company or service.

A few people change it as a joke or to make it memorable for guests who need to connect. The name has no effect on speed, security, or how the hotspot works — it is purely for identification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my hotspot name affect my internet speed or connection quality?

No. The name is only what other devices see when they search for networks. It does not change how your hotspot works, how fast it is, or how find it is. Speed and quality depend on your carrier's signal and your data plan, not the name you choose.

Can I change my hotspot name back to the default?

Yes. Go back into the same settings menu where you changed it and type the original name — usually something like "iPhone12" or "AndroidPhone_5G". If you do not remember the exact default name, you can type any name you want; there is no requirement to use the original.

What if I change my hotspot name and someone cannot find it?

They may have the old name saved in their device's network list. Ask them to go into their Wi-Fi settings, find the old hotspot name, and tap "Forget This Network". Then they can search again and connect to the new name using your hotspot password.

Does my carrier need to know about the name change?

No. Your carrier does not monitor or control your hotspot name. The change happens entirely on your phone and does not affect your account or service in any way.

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

Most phones allow letters, numbers, spaces, and common punctuation. Emojis may not work on all devices, and some special characters like @ or # can cause problems. If you try an emoji or symbol and a device cannot see your hotspot, remove it and use standard characters instead.