Alex Ruben
How To Locate Your Mobile Hotspot Password on Android
So, you’re trying to connect another device to your Android’s hotspot, but the password? Yeah, kinda lost it. Happens more often than you’d think — especially if you’ve changed it a few times or just forgot it after setting it up. This guide is about fishin’ out that Wi-Fi password from your device without having to reset everything or dig through old notes. Plus, it’ll help if you wanna change or check your hotspot info without jumping through hoops.
Just a heads-up: depending on your Android version and phone brand (Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, whatever), locations or menu names might vary a bit. But, generally, the steps are pretty much the same. Expect to see toggle switches, some configuration screens, and hopefully, your password front and center or at least easy to get to.
How to Find Your Hotspot Password on Android
Enable Cellular Data — the basic must-have
- If your cellular data isn’t turned on, nothing else really matters; your hotspot won’t show up or work. To start, swipe down from the top to open the quick settings panel.
- Find the Mobile Data icon, which should look like a small antenna or SIM card. Tap it to toggle it on. On some phones, it might be under a menu called Connections or Network & Internet.
Why it helps? Because if your data isn’t active, your hotspot won’t broadcast or show the password. And honestly, sometimes—despite plugging in all the right settings—the damn thing just doesn’t appear until you enable mobile data first.
Access the Hotspot Settings (a little walk)
- Head over to Settings. It’s usually an app icon with gears on your home screen or app drawer.
- Scroll down to find Network & Internet or Connections. On some devices, it could be under Wi-Fi & Network.
- Tap on Hotspot & tethering. If that’s not visible right away, look for something like Portable Hotspot or Mobile Hotspot.
- Select Wi-Fi hotspot or Mobile Hotspot, depending on branding. Sometimes you might see it directly inside the previous menu.
This is the portal where all your hotspot magic happens. Often, on Android, the password is right there or an option to show it. If it’s not obvious, don’t give up yet.
Locating or revealing your current password
- Once inside the hotspot settings, look for an option called Hotspot password or Show password. Usually displayed as dots or asterisks for security, but you can tap or toggle to reveal it.
- If you can’t see the password directly, check for an Configure hotspot button. Sometimes, in there, you’ll find the network name (SSID) and password. Note: On some phones, the password is stored but not directly viewable unless you reset it or look into system files.
Why it helps? Because this is where most users get stuck; they see a field but can’t read what it says. Believe it or not, this step trips more folks up than you’d think.
Changing your hotspot name or password — if needed
- Inside Configure hotspot, you’ll find options to change the network name (SSID) and password. It’s handy if you want a more memorable name or security upgrade.
- Just edit the fields, then save or apply the changes. Some phones save automatically.
Heads up: changing the password here resets it, so remember it for your other devices. Also, some phones require a restart of the hotspot service for changes to take effect, which can be a little annoying but is normal.
Turning on the mobile hotspot
- Back in the hotspot menu, usually, there’s a toggle switch to activate it. It might be labeled Turn on hotspot or just a simple switch.
- Switch it on, and the network should broadcast. Give it a few seconds or a minute if needed. Sometimes, it takes a moment for the password to sync to other devices.
Note: If you don’t see your hotspot or it’s not broadcasting, double-check that cellular data is still active, and the toggle is definitely on. Some phones disconnect the hotspot automatically if no devices connect after a while.
Connect other devices and use the hotspot
- On the device you want to connect, go to Wi-Fi settings and look for your network name (SSID) — the name you saw or edited before.
- Select it, then enter the password you located or changed earlier. If everything’s working, the device should connect without issues.
On some setups, if the password isn’t working, try toggling the hotspot off and on again or re-entering it. Sometimes, Android needs a nudge to refresh the credentials.
Extra tips & common hiccups to watch for
- Make sure your cellular data is actually active — no point in having a hotspot if your SIM card isn’t working properly.
- If your Android device has a separate setting for hotspot security, double-check it’s set to WPA2 or WPA3 (recommended) — weak encryption might block connections.
- Sometimes, clearing app cache or resetting network settings can fix stubborn password issues, but be cautious: it might remove saved Wi-Fi networks or other custom configs.
Also, if on a random Android build or custom ROM, menu layouts can be different, but most follow this pattern. Just keep in mind that some manufacturer skins hide certain options or rename things so it’s worth poking around a little.
Summary
- Make sure cellular data is enabled before trying to access hotspot settings.
- Navigate to Settings > Network & Internet > Hotspot & Tethering on most Androids.
- Find and tap on Hotspot password or reveal the password in the configuration options.
- Change settings if necessary, then turn on the hotspot switch.
- Connect other devices using the Wi-Fi network and the password you’ve now found or reset.
Wrap-up
Honestly, this whole thing can be a bit quirky — Android isn’t always as intuitive as it should be. But, once you get the hang of where the password is stored or how to reveal it, it’s just a matter of toggling and connecting. Sometimes, a quick reboot of the device or hotspot toggle fixes glitches. If it’s being stubborn, check your data connection, and ensure your hotspot is active and visible. Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours for someone.