You cannot change the name that appears in AirDrop itself, but you can change the name your device broadcasts

AirDrop shows whatever name you have set for your device in Settings. If you want a different name to appear when you send or receive files, you change your device name — not a separate AirDrop setting. On iPhone, iPad, and Mac, this is a single setting that controls how your device identifies itself to nearby devices.

The process takes less than a minute and works the same way across all Apple devices. Once you change your device name, that new name appears when ready in AirDrop and in Bluetooth pairing requests, Find My, and any other service that shows your device to others nearby.

Key Takeaways

  • AirDrop displays your device name, not a separate profile — change one to change the other.
  • On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > General > About and tap the name field at the top to edit it.
  • On Mac, go to System Settings > General > About and click the device name field to change it.
  • The new name appears in AirDrop when ready and applies to all nearby-device features on that device.
  • Device names can be up to 32 characters and appear to anyone within AirDrop range, so choose accordingly.

How to change your device name on iPhone or iPad

Open the Settings app and tap General. At the top of the General screen, tap About. The first field shows your device name — tap it to edit. Delete the current name and type the new one you want to appear in AirDrop. Tap Done or press Return to save.

The change takes effect when ready. Anyone trying to AirDrop to you will now see the new name. If you have multiple Apple devices, each one has its own device name, so you will need to repeat this step on each device if you want them all to show the same name or a consistent naming scheme.

How to change your device name on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions). Click General in the sidebar, then click About. The device name appears at the top of the window — click it to edit. Type your new name and press Return to save.

On some older Mac models, you may find this setting under System Preferences > Sharing instead. Look for a field labeled "Computer Name" — this is the same setting that controls your AirDrop name. The change applies when ready to AirDrop and all other nearby-device features.

What happens when you change your device name

Your new name appears in AirDrop within seconds. Anyone nearby with AirDrop turned on will see the updated name when they try to send you a file. The name also updates in Bluetooth pairing, Find My, and any other Apple service that shows your device to nearby people.

If you are already connected to a Wi-Fi network or paired with Bluetooth devices, those connections remain active — changing your device name does not disconnect you from anything. However, if someone has saved your device under the old name in their contacts or notes, that saved name does not update automatically.

Naming rules and what to avoid

Device names can be up to 32 characters long and can include letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation. Avoid names that are offensive or that identify sensitive information — your device name is visible to anyone within AirDrop range, which can be 30 feet or more depending on the device and surroundings.

Common naming patterns include your first name, your first name plus a device type (like "Sarah's iPhone"), or a straightforward identifier like "Home iPad". If you share a device or use it in public spaces, choose a name you are comfortable with strangers seeing. You can change it again at any time with the same steps.

Troubleshooting: name did not change or is not showing in AirDrop

If you changed your device name but it is not appearing in AirDrop, restart your device. Turn it off completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. This forces the device to re-broadcast its name to nearby devices.

If the name still does not appear, check that AirDrop is turned on. On iPhone and iPad, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center and look for AirDrop — tap it and select Everyone or Contacts Only. On Mac, go to System Settings > General > AirDrop and make sure it is not set to Off. If AirDrop is on and the name still does not show after a restart, try turning AirDrop off and back on again.

Device names on different Apple devices

Each Apple device has its own separate device name. If you own an iPhone, iPad, and Mac, each one can have a different name, or you can give them all the same name — it is your choice. Many people use a naming scheme like "Sarah's iPhone," "Sarah's iPad," and "Sarah's Mac" to keep them organized.

If you sign into the same Apple ID on multiple devices, they will still show as separate devices in AirDrop with their individual names. The device name is not tied to your Apple ID — it is a local setting on each device. This means you can change one device's name without affecting the others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hide my device name from AirDrop?

No, but you can turn AirDrop off entirely. Go to Control Center on iPhone or iPad and tap AirDrop, then select Off. On Mac, go to System Settings > General > AirDrop and select Off. When AirDrop is off, your device will not appear to others and cannot receive files via AirDrop.

What if I change my device name and then change my mind?

Go back to Settings > General > About (iPhone/iPad) or System Settings > General > About (Mac) and edit the name field again. You can change it as many times as you want. If you want to restore the original name, it is usually your first name followed by a device type, like "Sarah's iPhone."

Does changing my device name affect my Apple ID or iCloud account?

No. Your device name is separate from your Apple ID. Changing it does not affect your iCloud, email, or any account settings. It only changes how your device appears to nearby devices in AirDrop and Bluetooth.

Can I use special characters or emojis in my device name?

Most special characters work, but emojis may not display correctly on all devices. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, and basic punctuation like hyphens and apostrophes for the most reliable results across all Apple devices.

If I change my device name, will people I have already AirDropped with see the new name?

Yes. The next time they try to AirDrop to you or see your device in AirDrop, they will see the new name. AirDrop does not store old device names — it always shows the current name your device is broadcasting.