Change your Apple ID name through your account settings

You can change the name associated with your Apple ID without creating a new account. The name you change is the one that appears on receipts, in the App Store, and when you contact Apple Support — not your email address or password. Apple lets you update this information directly in your account settings on any device where you are signed in.

The process takes about five minutes and does not affect your apps, photos, or any other data stored in iCloud. You can change your name as many times as you want, though Apple may ask you to wait a few days between changes if you do it repeatedly.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your Apple ID name in Settings on iPhone or iPad, or in System Settings on Mac — not by creating a new account.
  • Your Apple ID email address stays the same; only the display name changes.
  • The change appears on receipts and in the App Store within a few minutes on most devices.
  • If you are locked out of your device, you can change your name at appleid.apple.com from any web browser.
  • Apple may require you to wait several days between name changes if you update it multiple times in a short period.

Change your name on iPhone or iPad

Open the Settings app and tap your name at the top of the screen. This takes you to your Apple ID profile page. Tap Name and you will see your current first and last name in separate fields.

Edit the fields to your new name and tap Done in the top right corner. Your device will ask you to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password. Complete the authentication step and the change saves when ready. You may see a brief loading screen while your device syncs the change to Apple's servers.

If you do not see your name at the top of Settings, swipe down to the very top of the screen — it is straightforward to miss on newer iPhones with larger screens.

Change your name on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings (on macOS Ventura or later) or System Preferences (on older versions). Click your name or Apple ID in the left sidebar. On the right side of the window, click Name or look for a pencil icon next to your name.

Edit your first and last name in the fields that appear. Click the checkmark or press Enter to save. Your Mac will ask you to authenticate with your password or Touch ID. Once you confirm, the change syncs to Apple's servers within a few minutes.

If you cannot find your name in System Settings, make sure you are signed into your Apple ID. Go to System Settings > General > About and check that your Apple ID email appears under "Owner".

Change your name from a web browser

Go to appleid.apple.com and sign in with your Apple ID email and password. Click Personal Information in the left menu. You will see your current first and last name displayed on the right side of the screen.

Click the edit icon (pencil) next to your name. Type your new first and last name into the fields. Click Save and Apple will ask you to verify your identity — you may receive a code via text message, email, or a trusted device. Enter the code and your name change is complete.

This method works from any computer or phone, even if you do not have an Apple device. It is the fastest way to change your name if you are away from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

What happens after you change your name

Your new name appears on future App Store receipts, in your Apple ID profile, and on any devices signed into your account within a few minutes. Older receipts and purchase history keep the name you had when you made those purchases — Apple does not change past records.

If you share an iCloud family account with others, they will see your updated name in the Family Sharing settings. Your new name also appears in Messages and FaceTime if you use those apps, though it may take a few minutes to sync across all your devices.

Your email address, password, and all your data remain exactly the same. Changing your name does not affect your subscriptions, stored payment methods, or anything else in your account.

If the change does not appear on all your devices

Sign out of your Apple ID on the device where the old name still shows, then sign back in. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out on iPhone or iPad, or System Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out on Mac. Wait a few seconds, then sign back in with your Apple ID email and password.

If you are still seeing the old name after signing out and back in, restart the device. Hold down the power button and slide to power off, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on. Once the device restarts, open Settings and check your name again.

On Mac, you can also try going to System Settings > General > About and checking that your Apple ID email is correct. If it shows a different email, you may be signed into a different Apple ID account than you thought.

If Apple asks you to wait before changing your name again

Apple limits how often you can change your name to prevent misuse. If you see a message saying you must wait before making another change, you will need to wait the number of days Apple specifies — usually three to seven days. This timer resets each time you change your name.

You cannot bypass this waiting period, but it is not permanent. Once the wait time passes, you can change your name again through the same method you used before. If you need to change your name urgently for a specific reason, you can contact Apple Support to explain your situation, though they may not be able to override the restriction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my Apple ID name affect my email address?

No. Your Apple ID email address stays the same. Only the display name changes — the one that appears on receipts and in your profile. You cannot change your Apple ID email through the name settings; that requires a separate process through account recovery.

Will changing my name delete my apps or photos?

No. Changing your name does not affect any of your data, apps, subscriptions, or iCloud storage. Everything stays exactly where it is. The change only updates the name shown on receipts and in your profile.

Can I change my name on a shared family account?

Yes. Each person in a family account can change their own name independently. Go to your own Apple ID settings and change your name — it will not affect anyone else's account or name in the family group.

What if I forgot my Apple ID password and cannot sign in?

You can reset your password at iforgot.apple.com before changing your name. Enter your Apple ID email, answer your security questions or use a recovery email, and create a new password. Once you have access to your account again, you can change your name through Settings or appleid.apple.com.

Does my new name show up when ready on the App Store?

Usually within a few minutes, but it can take up to an hour on some devices. If you do not see your new name on the App Store after an hour, try signing out of your Apple ID and signing back in. Restarting your device also helps speed up the sync.