Where Your Name Appears on iPhone and What Changes

Your name on iPhone lives in a few places, and changing it depends on which one you want to update. The most common is your Apple ID name, which shows up when you sign into the App Store, iCloud, and other Apple services. You also have a device name (the label that appears when you connect to a computer or AirDrop), and a contact card that stores your personal information locally on the phone.

Most people want to change their Apple ID name because that is what appears on receipts, in the App Store, and when they share files with others. Changing it does not affect your email address or password — those stay the same. Your device name is separate and only affects how your phone appears to nearby devices and computers.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Apple ID name and your device name are two different things; most people need to change the Apple ID name, which shows on receipts and in the App Store.
  • To change your Apple ID name, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Name and Phone Numbers, then tap Edit and type your new name.
  • To change your device name, go to Settings > General > About, tap the device name at the top, and enter a new one.
  • Changes to your Apple ID name take effect when ready, but may take a few minutes to show up across all Apple services.
  • You cannot change your Apple ID name more than once every 60 days.

Changing Your Apple ID Name in Settings

Open the Settings app and tap your name at the very top of the screen. This takes you to your Apple ID profile page. From there, tap Name and Phone Numbers.

You will see your current first and last name displayed. Tap the Edit button in the upper right corner. Type your new first name and last name into the fields provided. When you are done, tap Done in the upper right. Your new name is saved when ready.

The change will show up right away in most places, but it can take a few minutes to appear everywhere — in the App Store, on your iCloud account, and in shared documents. If you do not see it updated after 10 minutes, sign out of your Apple ID and sign back in.

Changing Your Device Name

Your device name is the label that appears when you use AirDrop, connect to a Mac or PC, or show up in a list of nearby devices. It does not affect your Apple ID or how you sign into services.

To change it, open Settings and go to General > About. At the very top of the screen, you will see your current device name. Tap it directly, and a text field will appear. Delete the old name and type a new one, then tap Done. The change takes effect when ready.

Updating Your Contact Card on Your Phone

If you want to change the name stored in your phone's Contacts app — the one that appears when you call someone or they call you — open the Contacts app and find your own card. Tap Edit, change your name, and tap Done.

This change only affects how your name appears locally on your phone and in messages to people in your contacts. It does not change your Apple ID name or how you appear to Apple services.

Restrictions and Timing

Apple limits how often you can change your Apple ID name: you can only do it once every 60 days. If you have already changed it recently, you will see a message telling you when you can change it again.

There is no limit on how often you can change your device name or your contact card. You can update those as many times as you want.

What Happens to Your Old Name

When you change your Apple ID name, your old name is not stored anywhere visible. Your email address, password, and account history all stay the same — only the display name changes. People who have your contact information will still be able to reach you because your email and phone number do not change.

If you have shared files or folders through iCloud, they will now show as shared by your new name. Past receipts and purchase history will still be associated with your account, but they will display your new name if you view them after the change.

If You Cannot Find These Settings

On older versions of iOS, the path to your name settings may be slightly different. If you cannot find your name at the top of Settings, try going to Settings > iCloud and looking for your profile information there. You can also change your name through iCloud.com on a computer: sign in, click your name in the upper right, go to Account Settings, and look for the name field.

If you are using a device managed by your school or workplace, you may not have permission to change your name. Contact your IT department or administrator for help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my name affect my Apple ID email address?

No. Your email address and password stay exactly the same. Only the display name changes. You will still sign in with the same email and password you have always used.

Can I change my name back if I make a mistake?

Yes, but you have to wait 60 days between changes. If you just changed your name and want to change it again, you will see a message telling you when you can make another change.

Why does my new name not show up in the App Store yet?

Changes can take a few minutes to sync across Apple services. If it has been more than 10 minutes, try signing out of your Apple ID in Settings and signing back in. That usually forces the update to go through.

Does changing my device name affect anything important?

No. Your device name only controls how your phone appears to nearby devices and computers. It does not affect your Apple ID, your data, or how you sign into anything.

Can I change my name if I forgot my password?

You need to be signed into your Apple ID to change the name. If you forgot your password, you will need to reset it first through Settings or on iCloud.com before you can make any changes to your profile.