Changing the name of your personal hotspot isn't just a way to stand out among the hundreds of iPhone networks at the airport or cafe, but also an important step in maintaining basic digital hygiene. When you share internet from your phone, the device creates a network whose default name matches the name of your device, which can reveal unnecessary information about its owner.
In the operating system Apple iOS This process is implemented slightly differently than in Android or Windows and requires an understanding of the relationship between the device name itself and the name of the network being created. Changing one parameter automatically changes the other, making the procedure simple but requiring attention to detail.
In this article, we will walk you through a step-by-step algorithm of actions that will allow you to set a unique, easily recognizable and secure name for your access point, and also consider the nuances of the function Handoff and family access.
Why is it important to change the default device name?
By default, when first turned on, the smartphone is given a name in the format "user's iPhone" or simply "iPhone." This creates a vulnerability: a nearby attacker sees not just an abstract network, but a specific device that can be attacked or used for social engineering.
Additionally, if you frequently use shared spaces where many people have tethering enabled, finding your device in the list of available networks becomes a lottery. Unique SSID (Service Set Identifier) helps you instantly find the right network and avoid connecting to someone else's traffic by mistake.
Psychological considerations and etiquette are also worth considering. A name like "FBI Surveillance Van" or "Virus_Distribution_Center" might draw unnecessary attention or panic from others, while a neutral or professional name will not attract attention.
⚠️ Attention: Don't use personal information in your hotspot name, such as your phone number, address, last name, or pet's name. This makes it easier for attackers to identify the network owner.
The name change affects Apple services such as AirDrop and Handoff, so after renaming, you may need to re-pair with some devices that previously used the old name for identification.
Where to find name settings in iOS
Many users mistakenly look for a separate menu item "Wi-Fi Name" or "Access Point Name" in the cellular section. However, in the ecosystem Apple The logic is built differently: the network name of the modem mode mirrors the name of the smartphone itself.
To change how your phone appears to other devices when connected to the internet, you need to change the device's system name. This is done through the main settings, not the internet sharing menu.
Find and open the app Settings on the main screen. You will need to go to the section Main, and then select the item About this deviceThis is where the identifier visible to the outside world is stored.
In the menu that opens, find the first line with the name NameBy clicking it, you can edit the text field. Changes take effect immediately after confirmation, and the device may even reboot its network interfaces to apply the new settings.
Step-by-step instructions for renaming
Editing your name is extremely simple, but requires following a specific sequence to avoid typing errors or accidentally resetting your settings. Follow the steps below for guaranteed results.
First, unlock your smartphone's screen and launch the default settings app. Go to the section Main, which is usually located at the top of the list or in the second group of settings.
Select an item About this deviceYour gadget's current name will be displayed at the top of the screen. Tap the line Nameto bring up the keyboard.
☑️ Name change algorithm
Delete the old name and enter the desired one. You can use letters, numbers, and some special characters. After entering, click Ready or OK on the keyboard.
Now, when you enable Personal Hotspot, the network will be named exactly as you just specified. This name will also appear in Bluetooth settings and when searching for the device via AirDrop.
⚠️ Attention: Some older devices or operating systems (such as Windows XP or older versions of Android) may not display emoji or special characters in the network name correctly, showing question marks instead.
Features of using special characters and emoji
Modern versions iOS Allows you to use virtually any character set, including emoji, in your device name. This allows you to create a highly visible access point that's hard to miss in a list.
However, it is worth remembering about compatibility. Protocol Wi-Fi And encoding standards can interpret non-standard characters differently on different client devices. A laptop running Windows 10 or 11 will likely display emoji correctly, but a car's multimedia system might display gibberish.
Using spaces in the name is also acceptable and often makes the name more readable, such as "My Phone 12 Pro." However, avoid using characters that could be interpreted as commands or service characters in file systems (such as /, \, :), although iOS usually filters them out itself.
Is it possible to use Cyrillic?
Yes, iOS fully supports Russian letters in device names. However, when connecting from devices without a Russian locale or using older Wi-Fi drivers, strange symbols may appear instead of letters. For maximum compatibility, it's best to use the Latin alphabet.
If your goal is maximum compatibility with all possible guests, from laptops to game consoles, it is better to limit yourself to Latin letters and numbers.
Impact of name change on linked devices
Renaming the iPhone is a major change for the ecosystem. Since the device name is used for online identification, the name change may impact Continuity features.
For example, the function Handoff, which allows you to start a task on one device and continue it on another, uses a name to find "neighbors." After changing the name, you may need to re-confirm the trust between devices.
It's also worth checking your family sharing settings. If your children or relatives searched for your phone by name for file transfers or internet sharing, they'll have to search for the device with a new name.
| Function | The Impact of a Name Change | Necessary actions |
|---|---|---|
| AirDrop | The name in the recipient list will change. | Tell contacts your new name |
| Modem mode | The Wi-Fi network name will change | Reconnect from other devices |
| Find My | The display in the list of devices will change | No, it updates automatically. |
| Bluetooth | The name will change when paired | Remove the old device and pair it again |
In most cases, reconnection happens automatically, but in some scenarios, especially with in-car CarPlay systems or older Bluetooth headsets, manual intervention may be required.
Network visibility issues after renaming
Sometimes, after changing the name, users encounter problems with other devices no longer seeing the access point or being unable to connect to it. This is often due to old network settings being cached on the client device.
If a laptop or tablet "remembers" the old network name and password, it may attempt to connect to it, ignoring the new network with the same MAC address but a different SSID. In this case, you need to forget the old network in the client's Wi-Fi settings.
The "Maximum Compatibility" feature may also be a problem. Newer versions of iOS have a switch that changes the hotspot's operating standard. If the network disappears after renaming it, check this setting.
Go to Settings → Modem modeFind the switch Maximum compatibilityIf it's disabled, the network operates at 5 GHz (faster, but has a shorter range and is less compatible with older devices). If it's enabled, it operates at 2.4 GHz.
In rare cases, a full network settings reset can help, but this is a last resort as it will delete all saved Wi-Fi passwords on the iPhone itself.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will the network name change if I rename my iPhone?
Yes, the tethering name is always identical to the device name specified in the section General → About this device → NameThere is no separate setting just for Wi-Fi.
Is it possible to make the network name hidden?
In the default iOS settings, you can't hide the SSID of your personal hotspot network. The network will always be broadcast while Personal Hotspot is enabled. You can only hide Bluetooth discoverability by disabling the corresponding toggle in the Personal Hotspot settings.
Why do I see two identical iPhones on my computer?
This may happen if you previously changed the name, and the computer "remembers" the old network and also sees the new one. Alternatively, one of the devices is your iPad or Mac with Instant Hotspot enabled. Delete the old network profiles in your computer's Wi-Fi settings.
Does name length affect internet speed?
Technically, a longer name (SSID) takes up more space in service frames when transmitting data, but in modern Wi-Fi standards, this difference is so microscopic (fractions of a millisecond when connecting) that it has no effect on the actual loading speed of pages or videos.
What should I do if the "Name" button in the settings is inactive (grayed out)?
If the name entry field is blocked, it may indicate that there are restrictions in the section Screen Time → Content and PrivacyCheck if changes to the device account are blocked. This can also happen on corporate devices with MDM profiles.