How to get latest device names when joining hotspot? iPhone still shows up even though device has been renamed minutes ago.

How to join iPhone hotspot which has recently been renamed?with every iOS update, device name default making it difficult to differentiate mine from stranger's iPhone. My problem is renaming my iPhone to something else doesn’t seem to appear in my other devices WiFi lis. My other devices still show iPhone after I renamed hotspot.


How to get latest device names when joining hotspot? iPhone still shows up even though device has been renamed minutes ago.

iPhone 12, 18

Posted on Feb 11, 2025 9:41 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 11, 2025 10:32 PM

It is not clear from your post what name you have changed and where.


The Personal Hotspot name on an iPhone is derived from the device name set in Settings > General > About > Name. However, after changing the device name, the new hotspot name may not update immediately. To ensure the change takes effect, try the following:

  1. Restart the iPhone – This often forces the system to refresh the hotspot name.
  2. Toggle Personal Hotspot Off and On – Go to Settings > Personal Hotspot and turn it off, then back on.
  3. Forget and Reconnect on Other Devices – If you're connecting from another device, forget the old hotspot and reconnect.
  4. Wait 10-15 Minutes – Some users report that the new name updates after a short delay.
  5. Reset Network Settings (if needed) – Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings, but note that this will remove saved Wi-Fi networks.


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2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 11, 2025 10:32 PM in response to Sunnyintoronto123

It is not clear from your post what name you have changed and where.


The Personal Hotspot name on an iPhone is derived from the device name set in Settings > General > About > Name. However, after changing the device name, the new hotspot name may not update immediately. To ensure the change takes effect, try the following:

  1. Restart the iPhone – This often forces the system to refresh the hotspot name.
  2. Toggle Personal Hotspot Off and On – Go to Settings > Personal Hotspot and turn it off, then back on.
  3. Forget and Reconnect on Other Devices – If you're connecting from another device, forget the old hotspot and reconnect.
  4. Wait 10-15 Minutes – Some users report that the new name updates after a short delay.
  5. Reset Network Settings (if needed) – Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings, but note that this will remove saved Wi-Fi networks.


Feb 11, 2025 10:23 PM in response to Sunnyintoronto123

for use case of unaffordable latest mobile data network, joining hotspot of renamed device IMHO is frustrating after iOS update; for 4G mobile data, I find renaming devices taking indeterminate minute before they show up in my other devices.

After iOS update which renames all my devices to default iPhone, Is turning off hotspots on my other iPhones only way to connect to a iPhone hotspot?

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How to get latest device names when joining hotspot? iPhone still shows up even though device has been renamed minutes ago.

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