Where your phone stores names and how to find them

Your phone keeps names in two separate places, and you may need to change them in both. The first is your contacts app — the list of people you call and text. The second is your phone settings — the name your phone displays to other people when they call you, and the name that appears on your SIM card or account.

On an iPhone, the contacts app is called Contacts. On Android, it's usually called Contacts or People, depending on your phone maker. Both let you edit individual contact names by opening the contact, tapping Edit, and changing the name field. On iPhone you'll tap Save; on Android you'll tap the checkmark or Save button at the top or bottom of the screen.

Your own name — the one callers see — lives in a different place on each phone type. On iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] at the top, then tap Name and change it. On Android, go to Settings > About Phone > Edit Name (the exact path varies by manufacturer). Some Android phones also let you change it in Settings > Accounts > Your Account.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact names are edited in your Contacts or People app by opening each person's card and tapping Edit.
  • Your own name — what callers see — is changed in Settings on iPhone, or in Settings > About Phone on Android.
  • If your phone is linked to an email account (Apple ID, Google Account, or Samsung Account), changing your name in Settings may sync that change across your devices.
  • Changing a contact name in your phone does not change it on the other person's phone or in any shared contact list.
  • If you use a work phone or a phone managed by your employer, you may not have permission to change your own name in settings.

Editing a single contact's name on iPhone

Open the Contacts app and find the person whose name you want to change. Tap their name to open their card. At the top right, tap Edit. The name field will now be editable — tap in the First Name or Last Name field and change the text. You can also add a nickname, which will display in your contacts list if you choose.

When you're done, tap Save at the top right. The change takes effect when ready on your phone. If you have iCloud Contacts turned on (Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Contacts), the change will sync to your other Apple devices and to iCloud.com.

Editing a single contact's name on Android

Open your Contacts or People app and tap the person's name. Tap the Edit button (usually a pencil icon). The name fields will become editable. Change the first name, last name, or both. Some Android phones let you add a nickname or phonetic spelling as well.

Tap the checkmark or Save button when you're done. If the contact is saved to your Google Account, the change will sync to your other Android devices and to Google Contacts online. If it's saved only to your phone's local storage, it will stay on this phone only.

Changing your own name so callers see it

On iPhone, go to Settings and tap your name at the very top. Tap Name. You'll see fields for First Name and Last Name. Change them and tap Save. This is the name that appears on your device and, in some cases, to people who call you through Apple services.

On Android, the process varies by phone maker. Most commonly, go to Settings > About Phone and look for an option to edit your name or device name. Some phones put this in Settings > System > About Phone. Samsung phones often have it in Settings > Accounts > Samsung Account > Personal Info. If you can't find it, search Settings for "device name" or "phone name."

Keep in mind that your carrier (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) controls what name appears on the caller ID when you call someone. Changing your phone's settings does not change your caller ID name — that's handled by your carrier's account settings, usually through their website or app.

When your phone is linked to an account

If your iPhone is signed into an Apple ID, changing your name in Settings will update your Apple ID name across all your devices. If you share an Apple ID with family members, they will see the new name. If you use iCloud, your name may also appear in shared calendars, notes, or reminders.

On Android, if you're signed into a Google Account, changing your name in Settings may update your Google Account name, which affects Gmail, Google Drive, and other Google services. Check your Google Account settings at myaccount.google.com to see what name is currently listed and change it there if needed.

If your phone is a work device managed by your employer, you may see a message saying you don't have permission to change your name. Contact your IT department or help desk — they control what you can edit on a managed device.

Changing a contact's name in a shared contact list

If you use Google Contacts, Microsoft Outlook, or another online contact service, you can edit names there too. Changes made in the online version will sync back to your phone automatically. On Google Contacts, go to contacts.google.com, click a contact, and click Edit to change the name. On Outlook, go to outlook.com, click People, find the contact, and edit it there.

If you share a contact list with family or coworkers through Google Family Link, Microsoft Family, or a similar service, changing a contact name may or may not change it for other people on the list — it depends on whether you're editing a shared list or your own copy. Check your service's settings to understand who sees your changes.

What happens when you change a name

When you change someone's name in your phone, only your phone is affected. The other person's phone still has the old name, and they won't know you changed it. If you text them or call them, your phone will display the new name you entered, but their phone will still show whatever name they have saved for you.

If you change your own name in your phone's settings, it may appear differently depending on where someone is trying to reach you. If they call you through your phone number, they see what your carrier's caller ID shows (which you'd need to change through your carrier's website). If they call you through an app like WhatsApp or FaceTime, they see the name you set in that app's settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change a contact's name without opening their full card?

On iPhone, you can long-press a contact in the list and tap Edit, which opens the edit screen directly. On Android, the method varies — some phones let you long-press and edit, while others require you to open the contact first. Try long-pressing and see what options appear.

What if I change my name and it doesn't show up on my other devices?

Make sure you're signed into the same account on both devices. On iPhone, check Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Contacts is turned on. On Android, go to Settings > Accounts, tap your Google Account, tap Account Sync, and make sure Contacts is checked. Wait a few minutes for the sync to complete.

Can I change my caller ID name myself?

No — your caller ID name is controlled by your phone carrier, not your phone. To change it, log into your carrier's website or app (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) and look for Caller ID settings. Some carriers charge a small fee or require you to call customer service to make the change.

If I delete a contact and re-add them, will the old name disappear?

Yes. When you delete a contact, it's removed from your phone and from any synced accounts (Google, iCloud, etc.). If you re-add the person with a new name, the old name is gone. If the contact was synced, the deletion may take a few minutes to appear on your other devices.

Why does a contact have two different names in different apps?

Different apps sometimes pull contact information from different sources. Your phone's Contacts app might show one name, while WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger shows another because they're linked to different accounts or contact lists. To fix this, edit the name in your phone's Contacts app, and the change should appear in most apps within a few minutes.