Changing your network name isn't just a personalization option, it's also an important security step. When you share your phone's internet connection, the system defaults to the standard model name, such as Samsung Galaxy A52This allows third parties to easily identify your device and even learn its specifications, which can become a vulnerability.
Changing SSID (Service Set Identifier), you hide the actual device model and make the network less visible to casual passersby. In the operating system Android, which is the basis of the interface One UI from the company SamsungThis process only takes a couple of minutes. However, it's important to understand the difference between renaming your home network on your router and changing the name of your own access point on your smartphone.
In this article, we'll take a detailed look at how to rename Wi-Fi on a Samsung device, making your hotspot unique and protected from unauthorized access. We'll cover not only the basic settings but also nuances related to operating system versions and security features.
⚠️ Note: Changing the Wi-Fi network name on your ISP router and renaming the access point on your phone are different procedures. This guide specifically applies to sharing internet from a Samsung smartphone.
Why do I need to change the default network name?
A standard network name often contains the serial number or exact model of the device. Knowing the model, an attacker can quickly find specific vulnerabilities for that particular device. smartphoneBy renaming your network, you make it more difficult for potential attackers by hiding technical information about your device.
Furthermore, in crowded places like offices or cafes, it's easy to get lost in the list of available connections. If you have ten devices named "Galaxy S23" listed, finding yours can be difficult. A unique name, such as "Office_Guest_Zone" or "My_Personal_Hotspot," helps you quickly identify the network you're looking for.
Also worth mentioning is privacyA personal name, such as "Ivan_iPhone" or "Apartment_45," reveals the owner's location or identity. Using abstract names increases anonymity in public spaces.
Preparing to change access point settings
Before making any configuration changes, ensure your device is ready to work with the new settings. While the process is safe, it's recommended to check the current connection status and battery level to avoid interrupting the process midway.
It's important to understand that after changing the name, all previously connected devices will lose connection to your access point. Laptops, tablets, and other phones will have to re-search for the network and enter the password. This is standard protocol behavior. Wi-Fi, requiring re-authorization when changing the identifier.
Make sure your device has Samsung The latest firmware version is installed. The menu interface may differ slightly on older versions. Android and new shells One UIChecking for updates will take a minute, but it ensures you see the latest menu items.
☑️ Preparing for setup
Step-by-step instructions: how to rename Wi-Fi on Samsung
The process of changing the network name on devices Samsung The interface is standardized, but the path to the settings may vary depending on the interface version. Below is the current sequence of actions for most modern models.
First, open your device's main settings menu. This can be done via the gear icon in the notification shade or through the app. Settings In the general list of programs, find the section responsible for connections and communications.
Settings → Connections → Mobile Hotspot & TetheringIn the menu that opens, select the item Mobile hotspotThis is where your access point settings are located. Don't confuse this with regular Wi-Fi, which is used to receive a signal.
Click the text field containing the current network name (by default, this is your phone model). Erase the old value and enter a new name. Use Latin characters for better compatibility with older devices, although modern devices also support Cyrillic.
⚠️ Note: The menu interface may vary slightly depending on the One UI version and regional firmware. If you don't find an exact match, look for similar names in the "Connections" section.
What to do if a menu item is hidden?
On some enterprise versions of Android or devices with installed security profiles (MDM), the ability to create a hotspot may be blocked by the administrator. In this case, the menu option will be unavailable or grayed out.
Setting up security and password
Renaming a network is only half the battle. It's crucial to secure the access point you've created. Without a password or using weak encryption, your data can be intercepted.
In the same menu where you changed the name, find the field Password. System Android requires a minimum of 8 characters, but for real security, it is recommended to use a combination of 12 or more characters, including numbers and special characters.
Pay attention to the type of protection. In modern smartphones Samsung protocol available WPA3, which is currently the most secure. If your connecting devices are very old, you may need to switch to WPA2, but this will reduce the level of security.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Impact on safety |
|---|---|---|
| Type of protection | WPA3-Personal | High (maximum protection) |
| Password length | 12+ characters | High (protection from selection) |
| Range | 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz | Average (compatibility) |
| Hiding the network | Off | Low (ease of use) |
Additional settings and restrictions
In the mobile hotspot menu Samsung There are hidden features that allow you to flexibly manage your traffic. You can set a traffic limit to avoid going over your plan's limit, or customize a list of approved devices.
The "Allowed Devices" feature allows you to create a whitelist. In this case, only those devices whose MAC addresses entered into the database. This is the most reliable method of protection, since even knowledge of the password will prevent an outsider from accessing the network.
You can also set a timeout. You can set the time after which the hotspot will automatically turn off if no one is connected. This helps conserve your smartphone's battery.
Some carriers may block internet tethering or require a separate service. If you're unable to access the internet from your connected laptop after setup, please contact your carrier's support team.
Troubleshooting connection issues
Users often encounter a situation where their device doesn't see a new network or can't connect to it. Most often, the problem lies in the network cache on the connected device. The phone attempts to use the old settings for the new name.
You need to go to the Wi-Fi settings on the client device (laptop or tablet), find the old network, click on it and select the action Forget the network or DeleteAfter this, you need to search again and enter the password.
Another issue is band incompatibility. If you only enable 5 GHz, but your device only supports 2.4 GHz, it simply won't see the access point. In the hotspot settings, Samsung Make sure you select "All available bands" or specifically 2.4 GHz for maximum compatibility.
If the network is visible but the connection drops, try changing the broadcast channel in the advanced settings (if this option is available in your software version) or simply restart the smartphone that is distributing.
Why doesn't my phone allow me to change the network name?
This may be due to device administrator rights. If corporate profiles or parental control apps are installed on the phone, they may be blocking changes to system network settings.
Is it possible to use Russian letters in the name?
Technically, modern Wi-Fi standards support UTF-8, but older devices (printers, game consoles, old laptops) may display gibberish instead of letters or not detect the network at all. For maximum compatibility, it's best to use the Latin alphabet.
Does changing your name affect your internet speed?
Changing the SSID itself doesn't affect data transfer speed or signal strength. Speed depends on the quality of the mobile network, the congestion in the range, and the smartphone's transmitter power.
How to hide your network from strangers?
In the Samsung mobile hotspot settings, there's a "Hide my device" option. If enabled, the network won't appear in the general list. To connect, you'll need to manually enter the exact network name (SSID) on the device you're connecting to.