Change your iPhone's name in Settings in under one minute
Your iPhone has a device name — the label that appears when you connect to Wi-Fi, pair with Bluetooth speakers, or show up in Find My iPhone. To change it, open Settings, tap General, then About, and select Name at the top of the screen. Type the new name and tap Done. The change takes effect when ready.
This name is separate from your Apple ID or iCloud account name. Changing it does not affect your email, passwords, or any of your accounts — it only changes what other devices see when they look for your iPhone on a network.
Key Takeaways
- Your device name is found in Settings > General > About > Name and can be changed in seconds.
- The device name appears to other people and devices when you share files, connect to Bluetooth, or use AirDrop.
- Changing your device name does not change your Apple ID, iCloud account, or any passwords.
- You can use any name you want — spaces, numbers, and most characters are allowed.
- If you cannot find the Name field, make sure you are running the latest version of iOS.
Where the device name appears and why you might change it
Your iPhone's device name shows up in several places. When you use AirDrop to send photos or files to a friend, they see your device name. When you pair your iPhone with a Bluetooth speaker or car stereo, the device name appears in the pairing list. If someone searches for available Wi-Fi networks, your personal hotspot broadcasts your device name. In Find My iPhone, your device name identifies which of your devices is which.
Many people change their device name to something more personal or descriptive than the default "iPhone" or "Sarah's iPhone." You might change it if you own multiple iPhones, if you want to hide your name from public networks, or if you straightforward prefer a different label.
Step-by-step: how to change the name
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your home screen.
Step 2: Scroll down and tap General.
Step 3: Tap About at the top of the General menu.
Step 4: The first field on the About screen is Name. Tap it to edit.
Step 5: Delete the current name and type your new one. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks.
Step 6: Tap Done in the top right corner. The new name saves when ready.
What characters and length work for iPhone names
iPhone device names can be up to 32 characters long. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, periods, and apostrophes without any problem. Some special characters like @ or # may work, but keeping your name straightforward — using only letters, numbers, and spaces — avoids any confusion across different devices and networks.
If you plan to use your iPhone's hotspot or share it with others, avoid names that are offensive or reveal personal information like your full address or phone number. The device name is visible to anyone searching for available networks or devices nearby.
The device name is not the same as your Apple ID or account name
Your iPhone has three separate names that can be confusing. The device name (what you just changed) is what appears on networks and Bluetooth devices. Your Apple ID is your account email address, which you use to sign into the App Store, iCloud, and other Apple services. Your iCloud account name is the name associated with your Apple ID in the cloud.
Changing your device name does not change any of these. Your Apple ID, passwords, and account information stay exactly the same. Only the label that other devices see when they look for your iPhone changes.
If the Name field is missing or grayed out
If you cannot find the Name field in Settings > General > About, or if it appears grayed out and you cannot tap it, your iOS version may be outdated. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available update. After your iPhone restarts, the Name field should be editable.
If the field is still missing after updating, try restarting your iPhone by holding the power button and either volume button, then sliding to power off. Wait 10 seconds and turn it back on. Then return to Settings > General > About and try again.
Changing the name on multiple iPhones or shared devices
If you own more than one iPhone, each one has its own device name. You must change each name separately by going into that device's Settings. This is useful if you want to name them "Sarah's iPhone," "Sarah's iPad," or "Work iPhone" and "Personal iPhone" so you can tell them apart in Find My or when pairing with Bluetooth devices.
If someone else uses your iPhone occasionally, they will see your device name when they connect to networks or Bluetooth devices. If you want to change it for privacy reasons, you can do so at any time using the same steps above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing my iPhone name affect my Apple ID or iCloud account?
No. Your device name is only a label for that specific iPhone. Your Apple ID, iCloud account, passwords, and all your account information remain unchanged. You can rename your iPhone as many times as you want without affecting anything else.
Will other people see my iPhone's device name?
Yes, but only in specific situations. They will see it when you use AirDrop, when you share a Bluetooth connection, when your personal hotspot is visible, or when they look at your contact card in Find My Friends. They will not see it in regular text messages or calls.
Can I change my iPhone name back to the default?
Yes. Go back to Settings > General > About > Name and type whatever you want. If you want the original default format, you can type "[Your Name]'s iPhone" — just replace [Your Name] with your actual name.
What happens if I use special characters in my iPhone name?
Most special characters work fine, but sticking to letters, numbers, spaces, and hyphens is safest. Some older devices or networks may not display unusual characters correctly, so keeping your name straightforward ensures it shows up properly everywhere.
Do I need to restart my iPhone after changing the name?
No. The change takes effect when ready once you tap Done. You do not need to restart your iPhone or sign out of anything.