How to Find My Hotspot Password on Android

Nearly every modern smartphone runs on either Android or iOS. As of 2022, Android commands over 70% global market share making it the dominant mobile operating system [1]. Its flexibility and customization options appeal to a wide range of consumers. One useful Android feature is the ability to convert your device into a Wi-Fi hotspot to share data connectivity with other devices tethered to it. However, users often set up a password to control access which can be forgotten over time. This guide will outline the steps to recover and reset your hotspot password on Android.

Accessing Hotspot Settings to View Password

The most straightforward approach to find your existing hotspot password is to access the hotspot configuration settings on Android. The user interface and terminology for the location of these settings varies slightly across major Android versions.

Android 9 Pie and Newer

1. Open Settings
2. Navigate to Network & internet > Hotspot & tethering
3. Select the Wi-Fi hotspot entry

Hotspot settings location in Android 9 Pie

Android 8 Oreo

1. Go to Settings
2. Choose Network & Internet > Hotspot & tethering
3. Tap on Wi-Fi hotspot

Android 7 Nougat and Older

1. Launch Settings
2. Select More under Wireless & Networks
3. Choose Tethering & portable hotspot
4. Tap on Configure mobile hotspot or Set up Wi-Fi hotspot

Despite small variances by Android version, accessing the hotspot configuration will display both the SSID (name) and current password for the mobile hotspot in the default view. Many users enable hotspots with the randomized password generated by Android while some customize it during the initial setup process. Either way, the current password will be visible by accessing the hotspot settings on any Android device.

65% of Android owners use the tethering capabilities for other devices at least once per month while 25% utilize it weekly [2]. For users sharing connectivity frequently through hotspots, view this location to confirm a forgotten password.

Hotspot settings displaying SSID and password

Also note the option to "Turn off hotspot automatically" which disables the hotspot after a set period of inactivity to conserve battery life. Leaving auto-disable configured to the default 5 minutes while forgetting to turn off the hotspot manually can lead some users to lose awareness of it still being enabled and available for access.

Checking Hotspot Notifications

Beyond the dedicated hotspot settings area, Android also conveys hotspot status via notifications which can alternatively provide the password.

1. Swipe down from the top of your Android screen to reveal notifications
2. Long press on the ‘Mobile hotspot active‘ notification

This surfaces an overlay displaying both hotspot SSID and password identical to the configured credentials.

The benefit here is a quicker one-tap accessmethod to confirm hotspot credentials which could feasibly be done even while maintaining the hotspot session with other devices connected. Factoring in the automatic timeout along with tap-to-view password access allows users to enable sharing connectivity temporarily such as during a meeting or group lunch without leaving a perpetual opening.

However, long term use of open public hotspots poses security risks of data leaks. While convenient in theory, users connected on an open hotspot have access to view activity and traffic of other users joined to the same public wireless access point. Applications with encryption and VPNs can mitigate this exposure, but risks still exist. Enabling a password provides more control to intentionally limit connectivity to known devices.

Public hotspots account for over half of all Wi-Fi security incidents [3]. Protected hotspots should follow IT policies on password complexity akin to corporate network credentials.

Hotspot Password Security Considerations

Tapping into your carrier cellular plan data allotment via the mobile hotspot functionality certainly enables some useful on-the-go use cases for other internet devices. However, from a security perspective, the ease of enabling a hotspot could likely lead users to take password protection lightly.

The random default passwords generated on Android and iOS for new hotspots generally follow a format resembling N5GBMXHH52R2. While these appear suitably complex at first glance, research has proven greater weaknesses than initially assumed.

Security analysts demonstrated the ability to crack short 8 character passwords containing just digits and uppercase letters within 2 hours [4]. Expanding the set to include lowercase letters only delays a breach to 8 hours. Incorporate symbols and increase length to 12 characters raised the bar significantly to 550 years to brute force guess.

Compound that with the prevalence of users sticking with default passwords on devices and hotspots see fairly high vulnerability. A study on public wifi networks discovered 25% utilized the default credential with no customization [5].

While not inherently storing sensitive banking or healthcare data directly, a compromised mobile hotspot provides a bridge to hack any devices simultaneously connected. Enforcing device encryption along with multifactor authentication to unlock devices aids as protective layers.

Nonetheless, begin with setting a strong unique hotspot password as the gateway.

Best Practices for Secure Hotspot Passwords

Considering phones contain more personal details than ever before with permanency exceeding any prior computing device, failing to properly secure access poses significant risks.

Apply these best practices when configuring your mobile hotspot password:

• Minimum 12 characters – Provides complexity against brute force attempts
• Mix of letters, numbers and symbols – Increases the range of potential combinations
• Avoid common words or phrases – Prevents easy guessing through a dictionary attack
• Do not reuse passwords – Stops credential stuffing attempts using breaches from any unrelated online account
• Change periodically – Slows incremental password guessing over time
• Avoid personal information – Blocks social engineering password derivation from names, dates, locations etc.

Analysis suggests 12-character passwords containing upper, lower, digits, symbols withstand over 500 years of persistent guessing attempts. Combine that policy with the other rules above and proactively changing every 60-90 days foils any meaningful chance of being compromised.

Many mobile device management (MDM) platforms extend their security controls to manage entire mobile configurations. This spans not just securing emails but also restricting device features, enforcing passcodes, encryption plus setting profiles around hotspot SSIDs, passwords and visibility.

Leverage enterprise MDM tools or standalone hotspot password manager apps providing automation capabilities as options for both storing and applying complex passwords uniquely across corporate provided mobile devices. Eliminate manual entry challenges while still realizing security assurances.

Graph demonstrating increasing password complexity against brute force effectiveness [6]

Resetting a Forgotten Hotspot Password

If you no longer recall the defined hotspot password, resetting will generate a new strong credential through Android. Revisiting the hotspot settings area outlined earlier, tap ‘Turn off‘ to disable the active session. Then relaunch a new hotspot which forces a random password prompt again upon any next connection.

Ideally this process enacts as part of a larger password hygiene policy. Design a hotspot password centering on the 12+ character guideline and other best practices listed above. Treat the credential on par with device unlock passcode significance given modern smartphones bridge tightly to owners‘ digital identities via apps storing credentials, locations, biometrics and more.

At minimum, reset the hotspot password annually aligning to the recommendation of updating other critical account passwords. Going further, build additional user-friendly security confirming any newly connecting device before granting hotspot access. Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) enables this on many modern routers via a push button event to allow a new device join. Enterprises take this a step further with mobile VPN tools that ensure only managed and updated endpoints connect to serviced devices.

Troubleshooting Missing Hotspot Password

For users not finding hotspot credentials listed within Settings or unable to long press the notification for details, several steps exist to troubleshoot the missing password.

• Check for disabled hotspot – The password only displays while the hotspot remains in an active state. You cannot view credentials if toggled off. Re-enable to access.
• Confirm cellular data enabled – Hotspots rely on cellular data connectivity. Ensure mobile data is turned on and functioning.
• Review storage permissions – Some Android devices restrict the hotspot with privacy protections unless specifically allowed a storage permission. Grant file access accordingly.
• Inspect carrier plan inclusions – Some network providers charge extra fees or require add-ons for utilizing the mobile hotspot allowances. Validate enrollment in tethering options on their plans or possess sufficient data amounts.
• Assess battery percentages – Hotspots rely heavily on battery power. Low battery conditions can automatically disable a hotspot session cutting access to password visibility. Check battery level over 30% and recharge if borderline.
• Examine device heat – Excessive processor demands from other apps running simultaneously with hotspots may trigger an automatic shutdown. Close resource intensive programs and allow the device to cool off before attempting to restart the hotspot.

Pursue these troubleshooting ideas first to regain hotspot password access. For situations still not yielding credentials, a full factory reset representsthe last resort restoringall default conditions.

Summarizing Android Hotspot Password Recovery

Mobile hotspots provide useful on-demand connectivity, though users often overlook password protection in enabling quick sharing. Check the hotspot config settings which store and display the active password plainly. Further simplified access comes from long pressing the hotspot active notification without interrupting connected sessions.

Ensure your hotspot password selection follows security best practices – 12+ random characters, uppercase, lowercase, digits symbols without personal ties plus changes annually aligning to other account credentials. Troubleshoot hotspot connection issues and leverage password manager tools for easy application across corporate provided mobile devices.

References

1. https://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/mobile/worldwide
2. https://www.statista.com/statistics/619787/fastest-growing-smartphone-activities-usa/
3. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/53-of-free-public-wifi-networks-pose-significant-risk-300685349.html
4. https://arxiv.org/abs/1609.04478
5. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9700990
6. https://www.security.org/how-secure-is-my-password/