Change Your AirPods Name in Settings
You can rename your AirPods directly from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way whether you own AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, or standard AirPods. The name you set will appear whenever you connect to that device, and you can use any text you want — your name, a nickname, or something descriptive like "Gym AirPods".
The quickest route is through your device's Bluetooth settings. Open Settings, tap Bluetooth, find your AirPods in the list of connected devices, and tap the information icon (a small circle with an "i") next to the name. From there, tap Name at the top of the screen, delete the old name, type the new one, and tap Done. The change takes effect when ready.
Key Takeaways
- You rename AirPods through Bluetooth settings on the device you use them with most often — the name syncs across your other Apple devices automatically.
- On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the info icon next to your AirPods, tap Name, and type the new name.
- On Mac, open System Settings > Bluetooth, right-click your AirPods, select Rename, and type the new name.
- You can use any text for the name, including spaces and special characters, and the change appears on all your Apple devices within seconds.
- If you rename AirPods on one device, the new name may not when ready appear on other devices — reconnecting or restarting Bluetooth usually fixes this.
Rename AirPods on iPhone or iPad
Start by unlocking your iPhone or iPad and opening the Settings app. Swipe down or scroll to find Bluetooth and tap it. Your AirPods should appear in the list of connected devices — if they are not there, make sure Bluetooth is turned on and your AirPods are in pairing mode (hold the button on the back of the case for a few seconds until the light flashes white).
Once you see your AirPods listed, tap the small circle with an "i" to the right of the name. This opens a detail screen. At the top, you will see the current name in a field. Tap on the name field, highlight all the text, and delete it. Type your new name — you can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks. When you are done typing, tap the Done button in the top right corner. The new name appears when ready on your iPhone or iPad and syncs to your other Apple devices within a few seconds.
Rename AirPods on Mac
On a Mac, open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions) and click Bluetooth in the sidebar. Find your AirPods in the list of devices. Right-click directly on the AirPods name and select Rename from the menu that appears.
A text field will open with the current name highlighted. Type your new name and press Return to save. The change takes effect when ready on your Mac and syncs to your iPhone, iPad, and other connected Apple devices. If the new name does not appear on your other devices right away, turn Bluetooth off and back on, or disconnect and reconnect your AirPods.
What Happens When You Rename Your AirPods
When you change the name on one Apple device, the new name automatically syncs to your other Apple devices that use the same iCloud account. This means if you rename your AirPods on your iPhone, the new name will appear on your iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch within seconds — you do not have to rename them separately on each device.
The name you set is purely for your own reference. It does not affect how your AirPods work, what features are available, or how they connect to your devices. You can change the name as many times as you want, and there is no limit to how long the name can be, though very long names may be cut off in some menus.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common mistake is trying to rename your AirPods from the main Bluetooth settings screen instead of the detail screen. Tapping the name directly from the list usually does not open an edit field — you have to tap the information icon first. If tapping the "i" does not work, make sure your AirPods are actually connected (not just paired). Disconnected devices sometimes do not show the rename option.
Another issue is expecting the new name to appear on all devices when ready. While syncing usually happens within a few seconds, it can take up to a minute on slower networks. If the new name still has not appeared after a minute, disconnect your AirPods from Bluetooth and reconnect them. On the device where you made the change, the new name should appear when ready; on other devices, it may take another 10 to 30 seconds.
Do not worry if you see the old name briefly after renaming — this is just a display lag and the new name will refresh. If the old name persists for more than a minute, restart Bluetooth on that device by going to Settings > Bluetooth and toggling it off and back on.
Rename AirPods on Apple Watch
You cannot rename AirPods directly from an Apple Watch, but you can do it from any iPhone, iPad, or Mac, and the new name will appear on your Watch automatically. If you want to manage your AirPods from your Watch, you can still see the current name and connect or disconnect them — just open the Control Center on your Watch, tap Bluetooth, and tap your AirPods to connect or disconnect.
If you are having trouble seeing the new name on your Apple Watch after renaming on another device, unpair your AirPods from the Watch and pair them again. Open the Watch app on your iPhone, go to Bluetooth, tap your AirPods, and tap Forget This Device. Then on your Apple Watch, go to Settings > Bluetooth, find your AirPods, and tap to reconnect. The new name should now appear.
Troubleshooting When the Name Will Not Change
If you tap the information icon and do not see a Name field, your AirPods may not be fully connected. Disconnect them from Bluetooth, wait 10 seconds, and reconnect. Then try opening the detail screen again. If the Name field is there but appears grayed out or will not let you type, try restarting your device — hold down the power button, slide to power off, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on.
If you have renamed your AirPods but the old name keeps coming back, your iCloud account may be syncing an older version of the name from another device. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud on your iPhone and make sure Bluetooth is syncing properly. You can also try signing out of iCloud and signing back in, though this is rarely necessary. In most cases, straightforward waiting a few minutes and reconnecting your AirPods will resolve the issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use special characters or emojis in my AirPods name?
You can use most special characters like hyphens, underscores, and parentheses. Emojis may not work on all devices or may not display correctly, so it is best to stick with letters, numbers, and standard punctuation if you want the name to look the same everywhere.
Will renaming my AirPods affect their connection or battery?
No. Renaming your AirPods changes only the label that appears in your settings — it does not affect how they connect, their battery life, or any of their features. You can rename them as many times as you want without any impact on performance.
What if I share my AirPods with someone else — will they see my custom name?
Yes. The name you set is tied to your Apple account and iCloud, so anyone using your iPhone, iPad, or Mac will see the name you chose. If you want a different name for shared AirPods, you would need to change it on each person's device separately using their own Apple account.
Can I rename AirPods on a non-Apple device like Android or Windows?
AirPods work with Android and Windows devices, but you cannot rename them through those devices' settings. You can only rename AirPods using an Apple device (iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch). The name you set on an Apple device will not appear on Android or Windows devices — they will show the original factory name instead.
Why does my new AirPods name not appear on my iPad?
If you renamed your AirPods on your iPhone but the new name has not appeared on your iPad, make sure both devices are signed into the same iCloud account and that both have Bluetooth turned on. Disconnect your AirPods from the iPad, wait 10 seconds, and reconnect them. The new name should appear within a few seconds. If it still does not work, restart Bluetooth on your iPad by going to Settings > Bluetooth and toggling it off and back on.