How to change hotspot name on iPhone? Apple uses your iPhone’s device name as the hotspot name, so the two are always the same. That means renaming your hotspot really means renaming your whole phone.
This guide walks through the six steps, explains why you might want a different name, and covers what to do if the old name keeps showing up on other devices.
1. How to Change Hotspot Name on iPhone
Apple ties your Personal Hotspot name to your iPhone’s device name. There is no separate box inside the Personal Hotspot menu where you can type a network name. To change what other devices see, you rename the iPhone itself under Settings, then General, then About, then Name.
Below are detailed step-by-step instructions to change the hotspot name on iPhone:
- Step 1. Open the Settings App
Tap the grey gear icon on your home screen. Everything you need sits in this app.
- Step 2. Tap General
Scroll down the settings list until you find General. It usually sits below the sound and display options.
- Step 3. Tap About
About appears at the very top of the General menu. This screen holds your phone’s basic details, like storage and software version.
- Step 4. Tap Name
Name is the first row on the About screen. Tapping it opens a text box with your current phone name inside.
- Step 5. Type Your New Name
Delete the old name using the small x at the end of the box. Type whatever you want your hotspot to be called, such as “Home Hotspot” or “Office iPhone.”
- Step 6. Tap Done to Save
Tap Done on the keyboard to save the change. The new name applies right away, with nothing else to confirm.
2. Why You Might Want to Change Your Hotspot Name
If you are learning how to change hotspot name on iPhone, one reason to do it is to make your device easier to recognize while limiting unnecessary personal information.
There are several reasons to change it:
- Find your hotspot faster: A unique name is easier to spot in a crowded Wi-Fi list.
- Improve privacy: Removing your full name keeps personal information from appearing to nearby devices.
- Avoid confusion: Custom names help distinguish between multiple iPhones in the same household or workplace.
- Make troubleshooting easier: A clear hotspot name helps confirm that you are connecting to the correct device.
>>> Check more: Why Is My Hotspot Not Working? 5+ Common Causes and Quick Fixes
3. How to Confirm the Name Change Worked
After following the steps for how to change hotspot name on iPhone, check another device’s Wi-Fi list to make sure the new name appears.
Try these checks:
- Open Wi-Fi settings on another device: Look for your iPhone under its new name.
- Refresh the network list: Turn Wi-Fi off and back on if the old name still appears.
- Restart Personal Hotspot: Turn Allow Others to Join off, then enable it again.
- Forget the old network: If a laptop or tablet saved the previous hotspot name, remove it and reconnect.
- Restart your iPhone: Use this as a final step if the new name still does not appear.
Once the new name shows in the Wi-Fi list, the change has taken effect.
4. How to Change Your Hotspot Password at the Same Time
While how to change personal hotspot name on iPhone requires changing the iPhone’s device name, the hotspot password has its own separate setting and can be updated directly from the Personal Hotspot menu.
- Open Settings, then tap Personal Hotspot
- Tap Wi-Fi Password
- Delete the current password and type a new one, at least 8 characters
- Tap Done to save
Any device already connected drops off when you change the password. You will need to reconnect each one using the new password.
5. Can You Change Only the Hotspot Name Without Changing Your iPhone Name?
No, iPhone does not provide a separate setting for the Personal Hotspot name. Your hotspot uses the same device name assigned to your iPhone.
That means changing the iPhone name also changes how the device may appear in places such as:
- Personal Hotspot
- AirDrop
- Bluetooth
- Nearby device lists
Because the same name can be visible in multiple places, choose something easy to recognize without including unnecessary personal information.
For example, instead of using a full name such as “Sarah Johnson’s iPhone,” you could choose a simpler label like “Sarah’s Phone” or “My iPhone.”
>>> Read more: How to Turn On Hotspot on iPhone (Step-by-Step Guide)
6. FAQs
How to change Wi-Fi name in iPhone?
Your iPhone’s hotspot name changes under Settings, then General, then About, then Name. Changing the name of a home Wi-Fi router is different, and that happens in the router’s own app or settings page.
How do I change my hotspot on my iPhone?
Rename your iPhone under Settings, General, About, Name. To change the password instead, go to Settings, then Personal Hotspot, then Wi-Fi Password.
How do I know what my hotspot name is on my iPhone?
Open Settings, then Personal Hotspot, and the name appears at the top of the screen. You can also find it under Settings, General, About, Name.
How do you name your hotspot?
Pick something short and easy to spot in a Wi-Fi list, like “Home Hotspot.” Avoid using your full name, since the same name shows up on AirDrop and Bluetooth for anyone nearby.
Final Thoughts
How to change hotspot name on iPhone? The change saves the moment you tap Done, though a laptop or tablet already connected may still show the old name until you reconnect it. Pick a name you are comfortable with strangers seeing, because AirDrop and Bluetooth display it too.
