Change your iPhone's name in Settings before turning on Personal Hotspot

Your iPhone's name is what other devices see when they search for your hotspot. To change it, open Settings, tap General, then About. At the top, you'll see a field labeled Name — tap it and type whatever you want other people to see. This name will appear in the available networks list when someone tries to connect to your hotspot.

The name you set here is the same name that appears in Bluetooth settings and AirDrop. Changing it affects all of those, not just your hotspot. If you want a hotspot name that's different from your device name, you'll need to use a workaround: turn on Personal Hotspot, then change the name in the hotspot settings themselves (see the section below).

Key Takeaways

  • Your iPhone's name in Settings > General > About is the name people see when they search for your hotspot.
  • You can also set a separate hotspot name by turning on Personal Hotspot and editing the name in that menu.
  • Changing your device name affects Bluetooth, AirDrop, and hotspot all at once.
  • The hotspot name is visible to anyone nearby searching for networks, so choose something you're comfortable with.

Set a hotspot-only name without changing your device name

If you want your hotspot to have a different name than your iPhone itself, turn on Personal Hotspot first. Go to Settings > Personal Hotspot and toggle it on. Then tap Wi-Fi Password at the top of that screen.

In some iOS versions, you'll see an option to edit the network name (SSID) directly from this menu. If that option doesn't appear, your hotspot will use your device name, and you'll need to change the device name in Settings > General > About instead. This approach lets you keep your iPhone's Bluetooth and AirDrop name unchanged while giving your hotspot its own identity.

What name should you use

Your hotspot name is visible to anyone within range searching for Wi-Fi networks. Avoid names that reveal personal information like your full name, address, or phone number. A simple, neutral name like "iPhone Hotspot" or a made-up phrase works well and doesn't draw unwanted attention.

If you're in a public place and don't want to share your hotspot, you can hide the network name entirely. In Personal Hotspot settings, look for an option to hide the network — this prevents it from appearing in the available networks list, though devices you've already connected will still find it automatically.

Turn on Personal Hotspot after naming your device

Once you've set your iPhone's name, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot and toggle the switch on. Your device will now broadcast the network name you chose. Other people can see it in their available networks list and connect using the password you set.

The password is generated automatically and appears in the Personal Hotspot settings. You can change it by tapping Wi-Fi Password and entering a new one. Share this password with anyone you want to connect to your hotspot. The password protects your connection, so choose something others can't guess easily.

Connect other devices to your hotspot

Once Personal Hotspot is on, other devices can find your network by name. On a computer, phone, or tablet, open the Wi-Fi settings, look for your iPhone's hotspot name in the available networks list, and tap it. Enter the password from your iPhone's Personal Hotspot settings.

On an iPhone or iPad, you can also connect through Bluetooth or USB cable instead of Wi-Fi. Bluetooth uses less battery but is slower; USB is fastest but requires a cable. Wi-Fi is the most common method and works with any device that has Wi-Fi capability, making it the most flexible option for most situations.

Troubleshoot if your hotspot name doesn't appear

If other devices can't see your hotspot name, first check that Personal Hotspot is actually turned on in Settings. Then restart your iPhone — turn it off completely and turn it back on. This often fixes connection issues and refreshes the network broadcast.

If the name still doesn't show up, make sure Bluetooth is on (even if you're using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth can affect hotspot visibility). You can also try changing the hotspot name again in Settings > Personal Hotspot > Wi-Fi Password. If nothing works, restart the device trying to connect to your hotspot as well, since the problem may be on that end.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have a different name for my hotspot than my iPhone?

Yes, but it depends on your iOS version. Turn on Personal Hotspot and look for a Wi-Fi Password or network name option at the top of that menu. If you see an editable name field, you can set a hotspot-only name. If not, your hotspot will use your device name from Settings > General > About.

Will changing my iPhone name affect anything else?

Yes. Your device name appears in Bluetooth settings, AirDrop, and when you connect to computers. Changing it in Settings > General > About changes it everywhere. If you only want to change your hotspot name, use the Personal Hotspot settings instead.

Is my hotspot name visible to everyone?

Yes, anyone nearby with Wi-Fi turned on can see your hotspot name in their available networks list. They can't connect without your password, but they can see the name. If you want to hide it, turn on the "Hide Network" option in Personal Hotspot settings.

What's the longest name I can use for my hotspot?

Most devices support hotspot names up to 32 characters. Shorter names are easier to type and see, so keeping it under 20 characters is practical. Avoid special characters — stick to letters, numbers, and spaces.

Does changing my hotspot name use more battery?

No. The name itself doesn't affect battery drain. What drains battery is having Personal Hotspot turned on and devices connected to it. You can change the name as many times as you want without any battery impact.