Where to change your Apple ID name

Your Apple ID name lives in your account settings, not in your device settings. You reach it through the web at appleid.apple.com, or through the Settings app on any Apple device linked to that account. The name you change here is the one that appears on your receipts, in the App Store, and on shared family features — it is separate from the name on your device itself.

Apple distinguishes between your Apple ID name (the display name others see) and your full name (used for billing and legal purposes). You can change the display name whenever you want. Changing your full name requires verification and may take longer if it is tied to a payment method or subscription.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Apple ID name is changed through appleid.apple.com or Settings, not through your device's general name settings.
  • The display name (what others see) can be changed when ready, but your full name (for billing) may require identity verification.
  • You need your Apple ID password or a verification code sent to your trusted phone number or email to make any name change.
  • Name changes on your Apple ID do not automatically update your device name, iCloud email address, or Game Center username.

Changing your name through the web

Go to appleid.apple.com and sign in with your Apple ID and password. Click Personal Information in the left menu. You will see fields for your first name and last name. Edit whichever field you need to change, then click Save.

Apple will ask you to verify your identity before the change takes effect. You will receive a code by text or email to one of your trusted phone numbers or email addresses. Enter that code on the screen, and your name change is complete. The change appears across your Apple services within a few minutes.

Changing your name in Settings on iPhone, iPad, or Mac

On iPhone or iPad: Open Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap Personal Information. Tap First Name or Last Name, make your change, and tap Save. You will be asked to verify with a code sent to your trusted contact.

On Mac: Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), click your Apple ID in the sidebar, then click Personal Information. Double-click the name field you want to change, type the new name, and click the checkmark. Verification works the same way as on iPhone.

The Settings route is slower than the web if you are on a phone with a small screen, but it works just as well. Either method changes the same account information.

What happens to your other Apple services

Your iCloud email address does not change when you change your name. If your email is sarah.okafor@icloud.com, it stays that way. Your Game Center username also stays the same unless you change it separately in Game Center settings. Your Apple Music profile name updates to match your new Apple ID name, but your music library and playlists remain untouched.

Your device name (the name that appears in Wi-Fi networks or when you connect to a Mac) is separate and does not change automatically. If you want your iPhone to show a different name on your network, you change that in Settings under General > About > Name. Family members will see your new Apple ID name in Family Sharing, but their access to shared content does not change.

If you cannot verify your identity

Apple requires verification because name changes can affect billing, subscriptions, and account recovery. If you do not have access to your trusted phone number or email, you have a few options. You can add a new trusted phone number or email address to your account first, then use that for verification. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, click Security, and look for Trusted Phone Numbers or Trusted Email Addresses.

If you have lost access to all your trusted contacts, you can use your device to verify instead. When prompted for a verification code, look for the option to verify with this device — Apple will send a notification to any device signed into your Apple ID, and you can approve the change from there. If that does not work, contact Apple Support through appleid.apple.com or the Apple Support app.

Changing your full name for billing

Your full name for billing purposes is stored separately and may require additional verification, especially if it is linked to a credit card or Apple Card. You can see and edit this information at appleid.apple.com under Personal Information, but Apple may ask for proof of identity if the change is significant or if you have recent purchases.

If you are changing your name due to marriage, divorce, or legal name change, keep a copy of the relevant document (marriage certificate, court order, or updated ID) in case Apple asks for it. This is less common for display name changes, but more likely if you are updating billing information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my Apple ID name change my iCloud email address?

No. Your iCloud email address is permanent and does not change when you update your name. If you want a different email address, you would need to create a new Apple ID with a different iCloud email, which is not recommended because it separates your purchases and data.

Can I change my name on Apple ID if I forgot my password?

No, you need your password to sign into appleid.apple.com. You can reset your password through the Apple ID sign-in page by clicking Forgot Apple ID or password, then follow the recovery steps. Once your password is reset, you can change your name.

Will my family members see my new name right away?

Yes. If you are part of a Family Sharing group, your family members will see your updated name in the Family Sharing settings within a few minutes. Shared calendars, photos, and purchases will still show your updated name going forward.

What if I want to change my name back to my old one?

You can change it back the same way you changed it the first time — through appleid.apple.com or Settings. There is no limit on how many times you can change your name, though Apple may flag very frequent changes as suspicious and ask for verification each time.

Does my Game Center username change when I change my Apple ID name?

No. Your Game Center username is separate from your Apple ID name. If you want to change your Game Center name, go to Settings > Game Center and tap your profile, then look for the option to change your username there.