How to change your name on your phone
Your phone stores your name in two places: your device's owner profile and your carrier's account. Changing it depends on which one you want to update. If you want to change the name that appears in your phone's settings and on your account profile, you update your device. If you want to change the name your carrier has on file—the one that appears on your bill and in their system—you contact your carrier directly. Most people need to do both.
The steps are different on Android and iPhone, and neither one automatically updates your carrier's records. This guide walks you through each process and explains what actually changes when you update your name in each place.
Key Takeaways
- Your phone's owner name (what appears in settings and on your device) is separate from your carrier account name (what appears on your bill).
- On Android, go to Settings > Accounts and backup > Accounts, select your Google account, then edit your name in your Google account settings.
- On iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] at the top, then tap Name and change it directly.
- To change your name with your carrier, call their customer service line or visit a store in person with a government ID.
- Changing your device name does not automatically update your carrier's records, so you may need to do both separately.
Changing your name on Android
On Android phones, your name is tied to your Google account. To change it, open Settings and scroll down to find Accounts and backup (the exact wording varies by manufacturer). Tap Accounts, then select your Google account from the list.
Once you are in your Google account settings, look for Personal info or Account info. Tap Name, then edit the first and last name fields. Save your changes. The new name will appear in your device settings, on your Google profile, and in any Google services you use on that phone.
If you have a Samsung phone, you may also see a separate Samsung account in your Accounts list. Changing your name there updates only Samsung services, not your Google account. Most people only need to change their Google account name, since that is what controls your primary device identity.
Changing your name on iPhone
On iPhone, your name is stored in your Apple ID. Go to Settings and tap your name at the very top of the screen. Then tap Name and edit your first and last name directly. Tap Done to save.
This change updates your Apple ID across all your devices and services—iCloud, FaceTime, iMessage, and the App Store. If you use your phone for work and have a separate work email account set up in Settings > Mail > Accounts, changing your Apple ID name does not affect that account. You would need to update it separately in that account's settings.
Updating your name with your phone carrier
Your carrier—Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or another company—keeps your name in their billing system separately from your phone's settings. Changing your device name does not automatically update this. To change your carrier account name, call their customer service number (usually on your bill or their website) and ask to update the account holder name.
You will need to verify your identity, usually by providing your account number and the last four digits of your Social Security number or a PIN you set up. Some carriers allow you to make this change through their website or app if you are logged into your account, but calling is the most straightforward route. If you have changed your legal name and need to update it everywhere, bring a government ID (driver's license, passport, or court order) to a carrier store in person. This is especially important if your name change is recent and you want to make sure all their records match.
What changes when you update your name
When you change your device name on Android or iPhone, the new name appears in your phone's Settings app, on your Apple ID or Google account profile, and in any services linked to that account. It does not change how your name appears to people calling or texting you—that is controlled by your carrier and your contact card.
When you change your name with your carrier, it updates your billing account, your account statements, and the name associated with your phone number in their system. It may take a few hours or a day to fully update across all their systems. If you want to change how your name appears in your contacts app (the name people see when you call them), edit your own contact card. On iPhone, open Contacts, tap your card at the top, tap Edit, and change your name. On Android, open Contacts, find your card (usually at the top), tap Edit, and update your name.
When you need to change your name in multiple places
If you have recently changed your legal name, you may need to update it in several places: your device, your carrier, your email account, and any apps or services you use regularly. Start with your carrier, because they are the official record holder for your phone number. Bring your legal name change document (court order or updated ID) to make sure everything is documented correctly.
Then update your device name and your email account. If you use your phone for work, ask your employer's IT department whether they need to update your name in their system as well. Some workplace email and messaging apps pull your name from your device settings, while others have their own records that need to be changed separately.
Troubleshooting name changes that do not stick
If you changed your name on your device but it keeps reverting to the old name, your phone may be syncing with an older backup. On iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and check whether iCloud Backup is on. If it is, turn it off temporarily, make sure your name change is saved, then turn it back on. On Android, open Settings > Accounts and backup > Backup and restore, and check whether your Google account backup is overwriting your changes.
If your carrier name change is not showing up on your bill or in their app after a few days, call customer service again. Sometimes the change gets stuck in their system and needs to be manually pushed through. Keep a record of the date you called and the name of the representative you spoke with, in case you need to follow up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing my phone name change how my number appears when I call someone?
No. How your name appears to people you call is controlled by your carrier and your contact card on your phone. Changing your device name only updates your phone's settings and your account profile. To change how you appear to callers, edit your own contact card or contact your carrier to update the name on your account.
If I change my name on my phone, will it change on my email account?
Only if your email account is the same as your device account. On iPhone, changing your Apple ID name changes your iCloud email name. On Android, changing your Google account name changes your Gmail name. If you use a different email provider (Outlook, Yahoo, etc.), you need to update it separately in that service's settings.
Can I change my carrier account name online, or do I have to call?
Most carriers allow you to change your name through their website or app if you are logged into your account. However, if your name change is recent or legal (like after marriage or a court order), calling customer service is safer because they can verify your identity and document the change properly.
What if I share my phone with someone else and want to change the owner name?
If someone else is the account holder with your carrier, only they can change the account name. If you want to change the device owner name on a shared phone, you can create a separate user profile on Android (Settings > System > Multiple users) or set up a different Apple ID on iPhone, but the carrier account name can only be changed by the person whose name is on the bill.
How long does it take for a carrier name change to show up everywhere?
Most carrier name changes take a few hours to a day to appear on your bill and in their app. If it has been more than 24 hours and the change is not showing, call customer service to confirm the change went through. Sometimes it gets stuck and needs to be resubmitted.