What you're changing and why it matters

Your hotspot name — called the SSID (Service Set Identifier) — is what other people see when they look for your wireless network. By default, your phone or router broadcasts a name like "iPhone12" or "NETGEAR-5G". Changing it to something you choose makes your network easier to find, helps you tell it apart from neighbors' networks, and can make it harder for strangers to guess what device is broadcasting it.

The steps differ depending on whether you're using a phone's built-in hotspot feature or a separate mobile hotspot device. Both take less than a minute once you know where to look.

Key Takeaways

  • On an iPhone, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot and tap the current name to edit it directly.
  • On Android, open Settings > Network & Internet > Hotspot & Tethering, tap the hotspot name field, and type your new name.
  • On a dedicated hotspot device (like a MiFi), log into the device's web portal or app using the default password printed on the back.
  • Your new name takes effect immediately, but devices already connected will need to forget and rejoin the network to see the change.

Changing the hotspot name on iPhone

Open the Settings app and scroll down to find Personal Hotspot. Tap it. At the top, you'll see a field showing your current hotspot name — it usually defaults to "[Your Name]'s iPhone".

Tap directly on that name field. The text will become editable. Delete the current name and type the new one. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks. Tap Done or press Return. The change is immediate — your new name will show up the next time someone searches for available networks.

Changing the hotspot name on Android

Open Settings and look for Network & Internet or Connections (the exact wording varies by manufacturer). Tap it, then find Hotspot & Tethering or Mobile Hotspot.

You'll see a field labeled "Hotspot name" or "Network name" — this is your SSID. Tap that field to edit it. Clear the current text and type your new name. Tap Save or Done. Some Android phones also let you change the password from this same screen; if you see a "Password" or "Security" field, you can update that too.

Changing the name on a dedicated hotspot device

Dedicated devices like MiFi, Netgear, or Cradlepoint hotspots have their own setup process. Look for a sticker on the back or bottom of the device — it will show a default network name and password. Use a computer or phone to connect to that network, then open a web browser.

Type the IP address shown on the sticker (usually something like 192.168.0.1) into your browser's address bar. Log in using the username and password from the sticker. Once you're in the device's admin panel, look for a section called WiFi Settings, Network Name, or SSID. Edit the name field, save your changes, and the device will restart. Your new name will broadcast once the restart is complete.

What happens after you change the name

The new name takes effect immediately on your device. People searching for networks will see your new name right away. However, any device that was already connected to your old hotspot name will lose that connection — they'll need to "forget" the old network and reconnect using your new name and password.

To forget a network on iPhone, go to Settings > WiFi, tap the information icon next to the old network name, and select Forget This Network. On Android, open Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi, long-press the old network name, and tap Forget. After that, they can search for and connect to your new hotspot name as usual.

Choosing a hotspot name that works

Keep your new name short — under 32 characters is safest, though most devices allow up to 32. Avoid special characters like @ or # if your device doesn't support them; stick to letters, numbers, spaces, and hyphens. You don't have to include your name or device type in the hotspot name, which can add a small layer of privacy.

If you're in a crowded area with many networks visible, a distinctive name makes it easier for your devices to find yours. If you're sharing the hotspot with others, a clear name like "GuestWiFi" or "Kitchen" helps people know which network to use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing the hotspot name affect my password?

No. The name and password are separate settings. Changing the name does not change your password. If you want to change the password too, that's usually in the same settings menu — look for "Hotspot Password" or "Security Key" and edit it separately.

Can I use any characters in my hotspot name?

Most devices accept letters, numbers, spaces, and hyphens. Special characters like @, #, or ! may not work on all devices. If you try to save a name with unsupported characters, your device will usually show an error or strip them out automatically.

Do I need to restart my phone after changing the hotspot name?

No. The change takes effect immediately on iPhones and most Android phones. You don't need to restart anything. Devices already connected will lose the connection and need to rejoin, but your phone itself doesn't need a restart.

What if I forgot what I changed my hotspot name to?

Go back to the same settings menu where you changed it. On iPhone, that's Settings > Personal Hotspot. On Android, it's Settings > Network & Internet > Hotspot & Tethering. The current name will be displayed in that field, even if you don't remember setting it.