Change Your iPad's Name Through Settings

You change your iPad's name by opening Settings, tapping General, then About, and selecting the name field to edit it. The name appears when you connect to Wi-Fi networks, pair with Bluetooth devices, and in iCloud. It takes about one minute and requires no restart.

The steps work the same way on any iPad running iOS 16 or later. If your iPad is older, the location of the name field may differ slightly, but the principle is identical—you are editing a text field in the About section of General Settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, tap General, then About, and tap the name field at the top to edit it directly.
  • Your iPad's name shows up when connecting to Wi-Fi, pairing Bluetooth devices, and in your iCloud account.
  • You can use any name you want—spaces, numbers, and most special characters are allowed.
  • The change takes effect when ready and does not require a restart or sign-out.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Open the Settings app on your home screen. Tap General near the top of the left sidebar (on iPad, Settings splits into two columns; General is usually the first option).

Tap About. The first field at the top of the About screen shows your current iPad name. Tap directly on that name field to select it. The keyboard will appear, and the existing name will highlight.

Delete the old name and type the new one. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes. Avoid very long names—keep it under 30 characters for clarity. When you are done typing, tap Done or press the return key on the keyboard.

The change saves when ready. You do not need to restart your iPad or sign out of iCloud.

Where Your iPad's Name Appears

Your iPad's name shows up in several places. When you connect to a Wi-Fi network, other devices on that network see your iPad listed by this name. If you pair a Bluetooth speaker, keyboard, or headphones, the pairing screen displays your iPad's name so you know which device is connecting.

In iCloud, your iPad appears in the Find My app and in your Apple ID settings under Devices using this name. If you share files via AirDrop, the receiving device sees your iPad's name. The name also appears in your iCloud backup list if you back up to iCloud.

Naming Tips and Restrictions

Choose a name that is straightforward to recognize, especially if you own multiple Apple devices. Many people use their own name plus the device type—for example, "Sarah's iPad" or "Kitchen iPad." This makes it straightforward to identify which device is which when pairing or connecting.

You can use spaces, numbers, hyphens, and apostrophes in your iPad's name. Avoid extremely long names; anything over 30 characters may be cut off in some menus. Do not use only numbers or special characters—your iPad needs at least one letter to register the name properly in some systems.

What to Do If the Name Field Will Not Edit

If you tap the name field and nothing happens, your iPad may be in a restricted mode. Check whether Screen Time or parental controls are active. If they are, you may need the Screen Time passcode to change the device name. Ask the person who set up Screen Time to enter the passcode, or disable Screen Time if you have the passcode.

If you still cannot edit the name, restart your iPad by holding the power button and volume button together until the power-off slider appears, then slide to power off. Wait 10 seconds, then hold the power button again until the Apple logo appears. Once it restarts, try editing the name again.

Changing Your iPad's Name on a Mac or iPhone

You can also change your iPad's name from another Apple device. On a Mac, open System Settings, click General, then About, and edit the device name there. On an iPhone or another iPad, open Settings, tap General, then About, and edit the name in the same way.

The name you set on one device is the name that appears everywhere—you do not need to change it on multiple devices. If you change it on your iPad, it updates across all your Apple devices and in iCloud within a few seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use emoji in my iPad's name?

Most iPad models do not display emoji in the name field, and some systems strip them out when the name syncs to iCloud or Bluetooth devices. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes to may support the name displays correctly everywhere.

Will changing my iPad's name affect my apps or data?

No. Changing the device name does not touch your apps, photos, documents, or any other data. It only changes the label that appears when you connect to networks or pair with other devices.

What happens to my old iPad name if I sell or give away my iPad?

The new owner should erase the iPad and set it up as new, which removes your name and all your data. If you do not erase it first, the new owner will see your name on the device until they do so themselves.

Can I change my iPad's name if I forgot my Apple ID password?

Yes. Changing the device name does not require your Apple ID password. You only need access to the Settings app on the iPad itself. If Screen Time is enabled, you may need the Screen Time passcode.

Does my iPad's name have to match my iCloud account name?

No. Your iPad's device name and your iCloud account name are separate. You can name your iPad anything you want, and it will not affect your Apple ID or iCloud account in any way.