Change Your Name in Apple ID Settings

You can change the name on your Apple ID directly through your device settings or through Apple's website. The name you set here appears on your Apple ID account, in the App Store, on iCloud, and in any receipts Apple sends you. The process takes about five minutes and does not require you to create a new account.

Apple stores your name in two parts: your first name and last name. You can change one, both, or neither — the choice is yours. Changes take effect when ready on most services, though it may take a few hours for the name to update everywhere Apple uses it.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Apple ID name through Settings on iPhone, iPad, or Mac, or through appleid.apple.com on any web browser.
  • Your Apple ID name is separate from your device name — changing one does not change the other.
  • The name change takes effect right away on your account, though it may take a few hours to show up in the App Store and other Apple services.
  • You do not need to sign out of your Apple ID or create a new account to change your name.
  • If you have a family sharing group, only the account holder can change their own name — parents cannot change children's names through this method.

Change Your Name on iPhone or iPad

Open the Settings app and tap your name at the top of the screen. This takes you to your Apple ID page. Tap Name, Phone Numbers, Email (the exact wording may vary slightly depending on your iOS version).

Tap Edit in the upper right corner. You can now change your first name, last name, or both. Type the new name you want to use. When you are finished, tap Done in the upper right corner, then tap Save to confirm the change.

Your device may ask you to sign in again to verify the change. If it does, enter your Apple ID password. The name on your account updates when ready, though it may take a few hours to appear in the App Store and other services.

Change Your Name on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the upper left corner and select System Settings (on macOS Ventura or later) or System Preferences (on earlier versions). Click General, then look for your Apple ID section on the left side of the window.

Click your name, then click Name, Phone Numbers, Email. Click the Edit button, change your first name, last name, or both, and click Done. Click Save to confirm. You may be asked to enter your Apple ID password to verify the change.

Change Your Name on the Web

Go to appleid.apple.com in any web browser and sign in with your Apple ID and password. Click Personal Information on the left side of the page. You will see your first and last name displayed.

Click Edit next to your name. Change your first name, last name, or both in the fields that appear. Click Save when you are done. If Apple asks you to verify your identity, follow the on-screen steps — you may receive a code by text, email, or through an Apple device you own.

What Happens After You Change Your Name

Your new name appears on your Apple ID account right away. However, it may take a few hours for the change to show up in the App Store, iTunes, Apple Music, iCloud, and other Apple services. If you have made purchases, your old name may still appear on old receipts — Apple does not change the name on past transactions.

If you use your Apple ID to sign in to apps or websites outside of Apple, those services will not automatically update your name. You may need to change your name in those apps separately if they store your profile information.

Family members in your Family Sharing group will see your new name in their Family Sharing settings. If you are the family organizer, you cannot change other family members' names through this method — they must change their own names through their own accounts.

If You Cannot Change Your Name

If the Edit button does not appear or you get an error message, your account may have restrictions. This sometimes happens if your account was recently created, if you have changed your name very recently, or if there is a security hold on your account.

Wait 24 hours and try again. If the problem continues, sign out of your Apple ID, sign back in, and try the change once more. If you still cannot change your name after waiting and signing back in, visit support.apple.com or contact Apple Support through the Apple Support app on your device.

Difference Between Your Apple ID Name and Device Name

Your Apple ID name and your device name are two separate things. Your Apple ID name is what appears on your account and in the App Store. Your device name is what your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is called on your Wi-Fi network and in Bluetooth settings.

Changing your Apple ID name does not change your device name, and changing your device name does not change your Apple ID name. If you want to change your device name as well, you can do that separately in Settings under General > About (on iPhone or iPad) or System Settings > General > About (on Mac).

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my Apple ID name affect my photos, apps, or data?

No. Your photos, apps, documents, and all other data remain exactly where they are. Only the name associated with your account changes. You will not lose anything, and you do not need to re-read apps or sign in again.

Can I change my Apple ID name back to what it was before?

Yes. You can change your name as many times as you want using the same steps. There is no limit to how often you can make changes, and you do not need to wait between changes (though Apple may occasionally place a brief hold on an account if many changes happen in a very short time).

What if I share an Apple ID with someone else in my family?

You should not share an Apple ID with another person. Each person should have their own Apple ID. If you currently share one, set up a separate Apple ID for the other person, then use Family Sharing to share apps, subscriptions, and photos. If you need help separating accounts, contact Apple Support.

Does changing my name on Apple ID change my name on iCloud?

Yes. Your iCloud account uses the same name as your Apple ID. When you change your Apple ID name, your iCloud name changes at the same time. Your email address stays the same.

How long does it take for my new name to show everywhere?

Your name updates on your account when ready, but it may take a few hours to appear in the App Store, Apple Music, iTunes, and other Apple services. If your new name does not appear after 24 hours, sign out and sign back in to your Apple ID.