How to Change Hotspot Settings on Your Phone

Your phone hotspot gets frustrating fast when the password is old, the network name is unclear, or the sharing switch is off. Start with the settings that affect connecting another device right now, then move to family sharing, USB or Bluetooth tethering, and restrictions that block the menu entirely.

1. Update the hotspot password first

The password is the setting to change before you share mobile data with another device or person.

1. 1.On iPhone or cellular iPad, open Settings > Cellular > Personal Hotspot > Wi-Fi Password, enter the new password, then save it.
2. 2.On Google Pixel, open Settings > Network & internet > Hotspot & tethering > Wi-Fi hotspot, then tap the password setting and enter the new password.
3. 3.On Samsung Galaxy, open Settings > Connections > Mobile Hotspot and Tethering > Mobile Hotspot, then use Information > Password.
4. 4.On Motorola, open Settings > Network & internet > Hotspot & tethering > Wi-Fi hotspot > Advanced > Hotspot password, then type over the current password.
5. 5.On OnePlus, open Personal hotspot > Hotspot settings > Password, then enter the new password.

On Pixel, Google also documents a Security setting that can be set to None when no password is wanted. Use that only when you want the hotspot open to devices in range.

2. Rename the hotspot network

On iPhone and cellular iPad, the hotspot name is the device name. Open Settings > General > About > Name, clear the current name, and enter the name other devices should see.

On Pixel, open Settings > Network & internet > Hotspot & tethering > Wi-Fi hotspot, then tap the hotspot name setting. On Samsung Galaxy, open Settings > Connections > Mobile Hotspot and Tethering > Mobile Hotspot > Information > Network name. On OnePlus, open Personal hotspot > Hotspot settings > Name.

Do not look for a separate iPhone hotspot-name field inside Personal Hotspot. Apple documents the device-name route for the Personal Hotspot name.

3. Switch hotspot sharing on or off

1. 1.On iPhone or cellular iPad, open Settings > Personal Hotspot, then use Allow Others to Join. The same switch is also available at Settings > Cellular > Personal Hotspot.
2. 2.On Pixel or standard Android, open Settings > Network & internet > Hotspot & tethering > Wi-Fi hotspot, then turn on Wi-Fi hotspot.
3. 3.From Android Quick Settings, swipe down from the top of the screen, touch and hold Hotspot, then turn on Wi-Fi hotspot.
4. 4.On Samsung Galaxy, open Settings > Connections > Mobile Hotspot and Tethering > Mobile Hotspot, then turn on Mobile Hotspot.

Quick Settings is the shortcut. The full hotspot screen is where phone makers place name, password, band, security, timeout, and connection controls.

4. Tune band security and connection limits

Samsung Galaxy puts the main hotspot controls under Settings > Connections > Mobile Hotspot and Tethering > Mobile Hotspot > Information. Samsung documents Network name, Password, Band, and Security there.

For Samsung timeout and sharing behavior, open Advanced, then use Power saving mode, Wi-Fi sharing, or Turn off when no device connected for. On Motorola, open Wi-Fi hotspot > Advanced for Max Connections and White List Mode. On OnePlus, use Personal hotspot > Hotspot settings for Hide hotspot, Use Wi-Fi 6, Connection management, blocklist, device connection limit, data usage limit, and automatic turn-off where those labels appear on your model.

5. Share access with family and your own devices

Apple devices signed in to the same Apple Account or Family Sharing group can use Instant Hotspot. On an iPhone, iPad, or Apple Vision Pro joining the hotspot, open Settings > Wi-Fi > Auto-Join Hotspot, then choose Ask to Join or Automatic. On a Mac, open Wi-Fi settings and use Ask to join hotspots instead. On the iPhone or iPad providing the hotspot, open Settings > Personal Hotspot to confirm availability, then use Family Sharing on that page for family access.

Pixel supports Instant Tethering for eligible Google-account devices. On the phone providing data, open Settings > Google > Instant Tethering > Provide data connection. On the joining device, open Settings > Google > Instant Tethering > Get data connection, then connect from the hotspot notification or from the phone listed under Instant Tethering.

On Samsung Galaxy, open Settings > Connections > Mobile Hotspot and Tethering > Mobile Hotspot > Auto Hotspot, then switch on Auto Hotspot. Samsung also documents optional family sharing for Auto Hotspot.

6. Try USB or Bluetooth tethering

• For iPhone or cellular iPad over Bluetooth, open Settings > Personal Hotspot or Settings > Cellular > Personal Hotspot, turn on Allow Others to Join, then return to Settings > Bluetooth and stay on that screen while pairing.
• For iPhone or cellular iPad over USB, connect the cable. On Windows, install current Apple Devices or iTunes.
• For Android Bluetooth tethering, pair with the other device, then open Settings > Network & internet > Hotspot & tethering > Bluetooth tethering.
• For Android USB tethering, connect the USB cable, then open Settings > Network & internet > Hotspot & tethering > USB tethering.

Google states that Macs running macOS Monterey and newer cannot tether with Android through Bluetooth, and Macs cannot tether with Android by USB.

7. Automate the hotspot switch

On iPhone and iPad, Shortcuts can turn Personal Hotspot on, off, or toggle it. Open Shortcuts, create or edit a shortcut or automation, add Set Personal Hotspot, then choose On, Off, or Toggle. Run it manually, from a widget, through an automation, or with a Siri shortcut phrase.

On Samsung Galaxy, open Settings > Modes and Routines > Routines > Add, choose the If trigger, choose the Then action, then tap Save. Samsung documents routine triggers from Modes and Routines, Bixby, and Google Assistant; available hotspot actions depend on the device and software version.

Automation changes availability. It does not replace the hotspot settings screens for name, password, or security changes.

8. Check plan or management blocks

A missing, dimmed, or failed hotspot setting points to service entitlement or device management. Carrier guidance from AT&T and T-Mobile says hotspot use requires a plan that includes hotspot or tethering service. The carrier controls entitlement; the hotspot name and password are changed on the phone.

Managed devices follow a different rule set. Apple documents a supervised-device restriction that prevents users from modifying Personal Hotspot settings. Android Enterprise policy can restrict Wi-Fi tethering or all tethering through deviceConnectivityManagement > tetheringSettings. For a work, school, or supervised phone, contact the organization that manages the device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my hotspot name change after I renamed my iPhone?

Apple uses the iPhone or iPad device name as the Personal Hotspot name. Changing Settings > General > About > Name also changes what other devices see for Personal Hotspot.

Can my carrier change my hotspot password for me?

The carrier controls whether your plan includes hotspot or tethering service. The local hotspot password is changed in the phone settings.

What should I do if the Hotspot tile only turns sharing on and off?

Open the full hotspot page instead. On Android, touch and hold Hotspot in Quick Settings, then use Wi-Fi hotspot settings for name, password, security, and related controls.

Why is USB tethering not working between my Android phone and Mac?

Google states that Macs cannot tether with Android by USB. It also states that Macs running macOS Monterey and newer cannot tether with Android through Bluetooth.