Change your hotspot name through iPhone Settings

Open Settings on your iPhone, then tap General. Scroll down and select About. At the top of the About screen, you'll see Name — this is your device name, and it's the name that appears when others search for your hotspot. Tap the name field, delete the current text, type your new hotspot name, and tap Done. Your hotspot will now broadcast under the new name the next time someone searches for available networks.

The name you set here is what appears to other devices when they look for Wi-Fi networks to join. It can be up to 32 characters long and can include letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation. Once you've changed it, the new name takes effect immediately — you don't need to restart your phone or toggle hotspot off and on.

Key Takeaways

  • Your iPhone's hotspot name is the same as your device name, found in Settings > General > About.
  • Changing the device name automatically changes the hotspot name that other devices see when searching for networks.
  • The new name appears immediately and can be up to 32 characters long.
  • You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and punctuation in your hotspot name.
  • If you don't see the hotspot name change appear on other devices right away, have them forget the network and search again.

Why your hotspot name matters

Your hotspot name (also called the SSID) is the identifier that other people and devices see when they're looking for a Wi-Fi network to connect to. By default, iPhones use a generic name like "iPhone" or "[Your Name]'s iPhone," which doesn't tell you much about whose network it is or what device is broadcasting it. Changing it to something specific makes it easier for you to identify your own hotspot when you're in a place with many networks, and it helps others know which network belongs to you.

A custom name also adds a small layer of security through obscurity — a generic name makes your phone an obvious target for someone trying to connect without permission, while a specific name signals that the network is actively managed.

What happens when you change the name

When you change your device name in Settings, that change applies everywhere your iPhone uses that name. Your hotspot broadcasts the new name, your device appears with the new name in other people's Bluetooth settings, and it shows up with the new name in AirDrop. If you've shared your Wi-Fi password with other devices through iCloud Keychain, those devices will still have the old name stored — they may need to forget the network and reconnect to pick up the new name.

Devices that are already connected to your hotspot will stay connected even after you change the name. They won't be kicked off the network. However, if someone tries to reconnect after the name change, they'll need to search for the new name and enter the password again.

Devices that can't find your hotspot after a name change

If you've changed your hotspot name and another device can't find it, the most common fix is to have that device forget the network and search again. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the "i" icon next to the old network name, and select Forget This Network. Then search for networks again and select your hotspot by its new name. On a Mac, go to System Settings > Wi-Fi, click Known Networks, find the old network name, and click the minus button to remove it.

On Android devices, open Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi, long-press the old network name, and tap Forget. Then scan for networks and connect to your hotspot using the new name. Windows computers can be cleared the same way: go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Manage Known Networks, select the old network, and click Forget.

Hotspot names to avoid

While you can name your hotspot almost anything, a few naming practices are worth skipping. Don't include your full name, address, or any personal information that identifies you — the hotspot name is visible to anyone within range. Avoid names that impersonate public networks (like "Starbucks Free Wi-Fi" or "Airport Guest") because it confuses people and can be mistaken for a scam. Names with special characters or emojis may not display correctly on all devices, so stick to letters, numbers, spaces, and basic punctuation if you want the name to appear the same way everywhere.

Keep the name short enough to be memorable and easy to type if someone needs to manually enter it. A name between 8 and 20 characters usually works well — long enough to be specific, short enough to be practical.

Changing your hotspot password separately

Your hotspot name and your hotspot password are separate settings. Changing the name doesn't change the password. If you want to update your hotspot password (the one people enter when they connect), go to Settings > General > About, scroll down to Personal Hotspot, and tap Wi-Fi Password. You can then change the password to something new. The password must be at least 8 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and symbols.

If you change your password, devices that were previously connected will be disconnected and will need to re-enter the new password to reconnect. Unlike the name change, a password change requires action from anyone who wants to use your hotspot again.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Your hotspot name and password are separate settings. Changing the name does not change the password, and people who know your old password can still use it to connect to your hotspot under the new name. If you want to change the password as well, you'll need to do that separately in Settings.

Can I use emojis in my hotspot name?

Technically yes, but it's not recommended. Some devices may not display emojis correctly in the network list, or they may show up as blank spaces or question marks. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, and standard punctuation to ensure the name appears the same way on all devices.

How long does it take for the new hotspot name to show up on other devices?

The change is immediate on your iPhone, but other devices may take a few seconds to a minute to see the new name in their network list. If a device doesn't see it after a minute, have it forget the old network name and scan again. This forces the device to refresh its list of available networks.

Will people already connected to my hotspot get disconnected when I change the name?

No. Devices that are currently connected to your hotspot will stay connected even after you change the name. They only need to reconnect if they disconnect and want to connect again — at that point, they'll search for the new name.