Change your Apple ID name through Settings or your account page

You can change the name associated with your Apple ID in two places: directly on your device through Settings, or online through your Apple account page. The device method works on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The online method works from any browser and is often faster if you need to change it right away.

On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap Name. Edit the field and tap Save. On Mac, open System Settings, click your name in the sidebar, then click Edit next to your name at the top. Type the new name and click Done. Online, go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, click Personal Information, then click Edit next to your name.

The name you enter here is what appears on your receipts, in the App Store, and when you send files through AirDrop. It does not change your Apple ID email address — that stays the same.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Apple ID name is separate from your Apple ID email address and can be changed without affecting your account login.
  • You can change your name on any iPhone, iPad, or Mac by going to Settings or System Settings and editing the name field.
  • The online method through appleid.apple.com works from any device with a web browser and takes about one minute.
  • Changes appear on receipts, in the App Store, and in AirDrop within a few minutes on all your devices.

Changing your name on iPhone or iPad

Open the Settings app and tap your name at the very top of the screen. You will see a section with your photo, name, and Apple ID email. Tap the Name field directly. A text box will open where you can edit your first and last name separately or together, depending on how your account is set up.

Type your new name exactly as you want it to appear. Tap Save in the top right corner. Your device will confirm the change and sync it to your other devices within a few minutes. If you have multiple Apple devices, the name will update on all of them once you sign in with the same Apple ID.

Changing your name on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings. In the sidebar on the left, click your name. At the top of the window, you will see your name next to your profile photo. Click Edit next to your name to open the editing field.

Type your new name and click Done. The change saves automatically. If you use multiple Macs with the same Apple ID, the name will update on all of them within a few minutes.

Changing your name online through your Apple account

Go to appleid.apple.com in any web browser and sign in with your Apple ID email and password. Click Personal Information in the left menu. Under your name, click Edit. A window will open where you can change your first name, last name, or both.

Type your new name and click Save. The change takes effect when ready and syncs to all your devices. This method is useful if you do not have access to your devices right now or prefer to make the change from a computer.

What changes and what stays the same

Your Apple ID name is the display name that appears on receipts, in the App Store, and when you share files with others through AirDrop or Messages. Changing it does not affect your Apple ID email address, password, or any of your account settings. You will still sign in with the same email and password.

The change also does not affect your iCloud email address if you have one, your Apple Music account, your Game Center profile, or any subscriptions you have. All of those remain tied to your Apple ID email address, not your display name.

How long the change takes to appear everywhere

The name change appears on your device when ready after you save it. On other devices signed in with the same Apple ID, it usually appears within a few minutes. In the App Store, on receipts, and in shared files, the new name shows up within the same timeframe.

If you do not see the change after 10 minutes, sign out of your Apple ID on the device and sign back in. This forces a refresh of your account information. If you changed your name online through appleid.apple.com, you may need to restart your device for the change to appear in some apps.

Changing your name if you share an Apple ID

If multiple people use the same Apple ID on a shared device, changing the name will change it for everyone. The name appears on all receipts and in all apps, so there is no way to have different display names on a single Apple ID.

If you need separate names, each person should have their own Apple ID. You can set up a new Apple ID for free at appleid.apple.com. Each person can then sign in with their own account on the shared device, and their name will appear separately in their own apps and purchases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my Apple ID name affect my iCloud data or photos?

No. Your name is only a display field. Your iCloud data, photos, contacts, and everything else stored in iCloud remain exactly where they are. The change does not affect what you can see or access.

Can I change my Apple ID email address at the same time?

No, the name and email are changed separately. To change your Apple ID email, go to appleid.apple.com, click Sign-In and Security, then click Edit next to your email address. That is a different process from changing your name.

What if I see my old name on a receipt after I changed it?

Receipts from before the change will always show your old name because they were issued under that name. Only new receipts from purchases made after the change will show your new name.

Do I need to change my name on each device separately?

No. If you change it on one device or online, it syncs to all your other devices within a few minutes. You only need to make the change once.

Can I use special characters or numbers in my Apple ID name?

Apple accepts letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes. Avoid symbols like @, #, or $. If you try to use a character that is not allowed, the Save button will not work and you will see an error message.