How to rename a Bluetooth device

You rename a Bluetooth device through the settings menu on the device it's paired with — your phone, computer, or tablet. The exact steps depend on what you're using: iPhone, Android phone, Windows PC, or Mac. The device you're renaming (the speaker, headphones, or smartwatch) doesn't need to be turned on, but it does need to already be paired with your phone or computer. Once you change the name, it updates everywhere that device is paired.

The name change is permanent until you change it again. You can name it anything you want — there's no character limit that matters for most devices, though very long names (over 50 characters) occasionally cause display problems on older equipment.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth, press the info icon next to the device name, and tap Edit to change it.
  • On Android, open Settings > Connected devices > Bluetooth, long-press the device name, and select Rename.
  • On Windows, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices, find your Bluetooth device, click the three dots, and select Rename.
  • On Mac, open System Settings > Bluetooth, find the device, click the info icon, and change the name in the popup.
  • The device must be paired before you can rename it, but it does not need to be powered on during the rename.

Renaming on iPhone

Open the Settings app and tap Bluetooth. You'll see a list of paired devices. Find the one you want to rename and look for a small circle with an "i" in it to the right of the device name — that's the info button. Tap it.

A popup window appears with the device name at the top. Tap the name field to select it, then use the keyboard to delete the old name and type the new one. Tap Done or press the return key to save. The name updates when ready on your iPhone and on any other Apple device that device is paired with.

Renaming on Android

Open Settings and go to Connected devices (on some phones it's called Bluetooth or Device connection). Tap Bluetooth to see your paired devices. Find the device you want to rename and long-press its name — hold your finger on it for about two seconds until a menu appears.

Select Rename from the menu. A text field opens with the current name highlighted. Delete it and type the new name, then tap OK or Rename to confirm. The change takes effect when ready. If you don't see a Rename option, try tapping the settings icon (three dots or a gear) next to the device name instead.

Renaming on Windows

Open Settings and go to Bluetooth & devices. Click Devices in the left menu. Scroll down to find your Bluetooth device in the list. Click the three dots (more options menu) next to the device name.

Select Rename from the dropdown menu. A text field appears with the current name. Clear it and type the new name, then press Enter or click outside the field to save. Windows updates the name in your Bluetooth settings right away. If the device is currently connected, you may need to disconnect and reconnect it for the new name to show in some apps.

Renaming on Mac

Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions) and click Bluetooth in the sidebar. Find your device in the list of paired devices. Click the info icon (circle with an "i") next to the device name.

A small window opens showing the device details. The name field is editable — click on it, select all the text, and type the new name. Close the window or press Enter to save. The change appears when ready in your Bluetooth settings and on any other Mac or Apple device that device is paired with.

What to do if the rename doesn't stick

If you rename a device and the old name comes back after you restart your phone or computer, the device itself may be set to broadcast a fixed name. This is common with older Bluetooth speakers and some car stereos. In this case, you may need to rename the device through its own app or settings menu instead of through your phone.

Check whether the device has its own app in the App Store or Google Play — many modern speakers, headphones, and smartwatches let you change the name from within their dedicated app. If there's no app, look for a settings button or menu on the device itself, or check the manual for instructions on changing the broadcast name. Once you change it on the device, unpair it from your phone or computer, then pair it again — it should show up with the new name.

Renaming a device that won't show up in settings

If a Bluetooth device isn't appearing in your settings menu at all, it's not paired yet. Make sure the device is powered on and in pairing mode — usually this means holding down a button for three to five seconds until a light blinks. Then go to your phone or computer's Bluetooth settings and look for a "Pair new device" or "Add device" button.

Once the device appears in the list and you complete the pairing process, you can then rename it using the steps above. If a device was previously paired but has disappeared from your settings, try restarting both the device and your phone or computer, then check again — sometimes a connection glitch hides a paired device temporarily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rename a Bluetooth device that isn't paired with me yet?

No. You can only rename a device through your phone or computer's Bluetooth settings if it's already paired. If you want to change the name before pairing, you'll need to do it through the device's own app or settings menu, then pair it afterward.

Will renaming a device break the connection?

No. Renaming does not disconnect the device or affect how it works. If the device is currently connected, it stays connected. You can rename it while it's in use without any interruption.

Does the new name show up on the device itself?

Not usually. When you rename a Bluetooth device through your phone or computer, you're only changing the name as it appears on that device. The Bluetooth speaker or headphones itself still broadcasts its original name. Other people pairing to it will see the old name unless they also rename it on their own devices.

What if I rename a device and then pair it with a different phone?

The new phone will see the device's original broadcast name, not the name you gave it on your first phone. Each device stores its own list of paired Bluetooth devices with their custom names. You'll need to rename it again on the new phone if you want it to show the same name there.

Can I use special characters or emoji in a Bluetooth device name?

Most phones and computers allow letters, numbers, spaces, and common punctuation marks. Emoji sometimes work on newer devices but may not display correctly on older Bluetooth equipment. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, and hyphens if you want the name to show up correctly everywhere.