Rename Your iPhone Hotspot in Settings

To change your iPhone hotspot name, open Settings, tap General, then About. At the top of the About screen, you'll see Name — this is the name that appears when other devices search for your hotspot. Tap the name field, delete the current text, type your new name, and tap Done. The change takes effect immediately.

Your iPhone's name controls what other people see when they look for your personal hotspot to connect. By default, it's usually something like "John's iPhone" or your device model name. Changing it here changes the hotspot name at the same time — they are the same setting. There is no separate hotspot name field; the device name and hotspot name are permanently linked on iPhone.

If you want to change only the hotspot name and not your device name, you cannot do that on iPhone. The device name and hotspot name are linked. Whatever name you set in Settings > General > About is the name that broadcasts when you turn on Personal Hotspot. This is a limitation of how iOS handles network identification.

Key Takeaways

  • Your iPhone's device name in Settings > General > About is the same as your hotspot name — changing one changes the other.
  • The new name appears immediately to other devices searching for your hotspot; you do not need to restart anything.
  • You cannot set a separate name for hotspot versus device name on iPhone — they are one setting.
  • The name you choose is visible to anyone within range searching for available networks, so avoid including personal information.

What Other Devices See When They Search

When someone on another phone, tablet, or computer searches for available Wi-Fi networks, your iPhone hotspot appears in that list under the exact name you set in Settings > General > About. If your device name is "Sarah's iPhone," that is what shows up in their network list. They see this name before they connect and before they enter any password.

This is why the name matters beyond just personal preference. Anyone nearby can see it. If your hotspot name includes your full name, location, or other identifying details, that information is broadcast to everyone in range. Consider using a generic name or a nickname instead. The network name is visible on the lock screen and in Wi-Fi menus of nearby devices, so treat it as public information.

Changing the Name on Older iPhone Models

The process is the same on iPhone 6 and newer. Open Settings, tap General, tap About, tap the Name field, and type your new name. Older models follow the same path — the location of these settings has not changed across iOS versions for at least the past decade.

If you are running an older version of iOS, the steps may look slightly different visually, but the path is still Settings > General > About > Name. If you cannot find the Name field, check that you are on the latest iOS version available for your device by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Updating to the current iOS version also ensures your hotspot works reliably with modern devices.

Why Your Hotspot Name Matters

Your hotspot name is the first thing other people see when they try to connect to your personal internet. A clear, recognizable name makes it easier for your intended devices and people to find and connect to your hotspot. A confusing or generic name can lead to people connecting to the wrong network or asking you which one is yours repeatedly.

The name also affects how your device appears on shared networks. If you frequently use your hotspot in public places or at work, a professional-sounding name may be preferable to one that includes personal details or inside jokes. Your hotspot name becomes part of your digital footprint in any location where you enable Personal Hotspot, so choose accordingly.

Troubleshooting: Name Changes Not Appearing

If you changed your device name but other devices still see the old name, the issue is usually a cache on the other device, not your iPhone. The device searching for networks may have remembered the old name. On the other device, forget the network by going to Wi-Fi settings, tapping the network name, and selecting Forget. Then search for networks again. Your iPhone should now show the new name in the list.

If the name still does not update after forgetting and re-searching, restart your iPhone by turning it off and back on. Then turn Personal Hotspot off and back on. This clears the broadcast and forces other devices to see the updated name. If multiple devices are still seeing the old name, restart those devices as well to clear their network caches.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. On iPhone, the device name and hotspot name are the same setting. Whatever you name your device in Settings > General > About is the name that broadcasts when you turn on Personal Hotspot. You cannot separate them or create two different names.

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

The change is immediate on your iPhone. Other devices should see the new name within a few seconds of you saving it. If they do not, have them forget the network and search again, or restart your iPhone and toggle Personal Hotspot off and back on.

What characters can I use in my hotspot name?

You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most common punctuation marks. Avoid very long names — keep it under 32 characters for best compatibility with all devices. Some special characters may not display correctly on older devices or may be rejected by iOS.

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

No. Your hotspot password stays the same when you change the name. Other devices will still need to enter the same password to connect, even though the network name is different.

Will my hotspot name change if I update iOS?

No. iOS updates do not change your device name or hotspot name. Your chosen name persists through updates unless you manually change it in Settings.