Open Settings and find your Bluetooth device
To change the name of a Bluetooth device on your iPhone, start by opening the Settings app and tapping Bluetooth. You will see a list of devices your iPhone has paired with. Find the device you want to rename — it might be a speaker, headphones, car stereo, or smartwatch. The device should show a blue Bluetooth icon next to its name.
If your device is not listed, make sure it is powered on and in pairing mode. Some devices need to be held near your iPhone or have their pairing button pressed before they show up in the Bluetooth menu. Once you see it in the list, you are ready to rename it.
Key Takeaways
- Open Settings, tap Bluetooth, and find the device you want to rename in the paired devices list.
- Tap the information icon (the small circle with an "i") next to the device name to open its details.
- Tap "Name" at the top of the details screen and type the new name you want to use.
- The new name saves automatically and appears on your iPhone and other devices connected to the same iCloud account.
Tap the information icon next to the device
Once you locate the device in your Bluetooth list, look for a small circle with the letter "i" on the right side of the device name. This is the information icon. Tap it to open the device details screen.
The details screen shows information about the device, including its current name, the device type, and connection status. This is where you will make the change. The name field appears at the top of this screen and is ready to edit.
Edit the device name
At the top of the details screen, you will see the current name of your device displayed in a field. Tap on the name to select it, then use the keyboard to delete the old name and type a new one. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks.
Choose a name that helps you identify the device easily — for example, "Living Room Speaker" instead of just "Speaker" if you own multiple speakers. This is especially useful if you have several devices of the same type paired to your iPhone. A clear, descriptive name makes it faster to find the right device when you are connecting.
Save your new device name
After you type the new name, tap the "Done" button on the keyboard or tap outside the text field. The name change saves automatically — you do not need to confirm it or press a separate save button.
The new name appears when ready in your Bluetooth settings. If you are signed into iCloud on multiple Apple devices (iPad, Mac, Apple Watch), the new name will sync to those devices as well, so the renamed device shows the same name everywhere you use it.
What happens if the name does not change
If you tap the information icon and do not see a "Name" field, your device may not support name changes from the iPhone. Some older Bluetooth devices or devices with limited software do not allow renaming through iOS settings. In that case, you may need to rename the device using its own app or settings menu instead.
If the name changes on your iPhone but reverts back after you disconnect, the device itself may be overriding the name. Check whether the device has its own app or settings panel where you can change the name permanently on the device itself. This is common with some car audio systems and older wireless speakers.
Rename multiple devices to keep them straight
If you own several Bluetooth devices of the same type, renaming each one prevents confusion when you are trying to connect. For example, if you have two pairs of wireless headphones, name one "Headphones — Work" and the other "Headphones — Home" so you know which one you are connecting to.
The same approach works for speakers, smartwatches, fitness trackers, and car audio systems. A descriptive name takes only a few seconds to set up and saves time every time you switch between devices. You can always change the name again later if your needs change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rename a Bluetooth device that is not currently paired?
No. The device must be paired with your iPhone first. If you have not paired it yet, turn on the device, put it in pairing mode, and go through the pairing process in Bluetooth settings. Once it is paired, you can rename it using the steps above.
Will renaming a Bluetooth device affect how it works?
No. Renaming changes only the label your iPhone uses to identify the device. It does not change any settings, sound quality, connection strength, or other functionality. The device works exactly the same way after you rename it.
What if I rename a device and then forget what the old name was?
You can rename it again at any time using the same steps. If you want to know what the device manufacturer calls it, check the device manual or the original packaging. You can also rename it back to the original name if you remember it.
Does renaming a Bluetooth device on my iPhone change its name on other devices?
If you use the same iCloud account on multiple Apple devices, the new name syncs to those devices. However, if you have paired the same Bluetooth device with a non-Apple device (like an Android phone or Windows computer), the name change on your iPhone does not affect it. You would need to rename it separately on each device.