Change Your iPhone Name Through Settings

You change your iPhone's device name in the Settings app under General, then About. Open Settings, tap General, scroll down and tap About, then tap the name field at the top of the screen. The current name will highlight—delete it and type the new name you want, then tap Done. Your iPhone will use this new name when it connects to Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth devices, and when it appears in iCloud.

The device name is different from your Apple ID or the name on your SIM card. It's the identifier your phone uses when pairing with headphones, smartwatches, car stereos, and when other people search for your phone on AirDrop. Changing it does not affect your account, your phone number, or any of your data.

Key Takeaways

  • Your device name is found in Settings > General > About, in the first field at the top of the screen.
  • You can type any name you want—there is no character limit, though very long names may be cut off on some devices when you connect via Bluetooth.
  • The change takes effect when ready and will show up the next time your phone connects to a Wi-Fi network or pairs with a Bluetooth device.
  • If you forget what you named your phone, you can check the same Settings > General > About screen at any time.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Start by unlocking your iPhone and opening the Settings app—it's the gray icon with gears. Tap Settings from your home screen or swipe down from the top right and tap the Settings icon in Control Center.

Once Settings opens, tap General. It's the second option in the list, right below Airplane Mode. Scroll down to the bottom of the General menu and tap About. This screen shows information about your phone including its model, storage, and serial number.

At the very top of the About screen, you'll see a field with your current device name. Tap on that name field. The text will highlight in blue, and a keyboard will appear at the bottom of your screen. Delete the current name by tapping the X button on the keyboard or by selecting all the text and pressing delete.

Type your new device name. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks. When you're finished typing, tap the Done button in the top right corner of the keyboard. Your new name is now saved.

What Happens After You Change the Name

Your iPhone will use the new name when ready for new connections. If your phone is already connected to a Bluetooth device like headphones or a car stereo, that device may still show the old name until you disconnect and reconnect it. To update the name on a paired device, go to Settings > Bluetooth, find the device in the list, tap the information icon next to it, and tap Forget This Device. Then pair it again—it will now show your phone's new name.

When you use AirDrop to send files to nearby people, they will see your phone's new device name. The same applies to HomeKit devices, Apple Watch pairing, and any other service that displays your phone's identifier. If you share an iCloud family account, each family member's device will still show their own device name—changing yours does not affect anyone else's phone.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common mistake is looking for the device name in the wrong place. Some people check Settings > About > Name and assume that's the device name, but that field is actually your Apple ID display name. The device name is the very first field on the About screen, before any other information. If you don't see a name field at the top, scroll up—it may be above the current view.

Another mistake is changing your Apple ID name instead of your device name. Your Apple ID name is what appears on your iCloud account and in the App Store. To change only your device name, make sure you're in Settings > General > About and tapping the topmost name field. Do not go to Settings > [Your Name] at the top of Settings—that's your Apple ID account, not your device name.

Some people also expect the device name to change their phone number or carrier information. It won't. The device name is purely for identification when connecting to other devices and networks. Your phone number, carrier, and account details remain unchanged.

Naming Tips and Best Practices

Choose a name that's straightforward to recognize when you're pairing devices or using AirDrop. Many people use their own name plus a descriptor, like "Sarah's iPhone" or "Marcus's Work Phone." This makes it obvious which device is yours when multiple phones are nearby.

Avoid names that are too long. While iOS doesn't technically limit the length, some Bluetooth devices and car stereos will cut off very long names. Keeping your device name under 30 characters ensures it displays fully on most devices. Also avoid special characters like emoji or symbols that some older devices may not display correctly.

If you have multiple Apple devices, consider naming them in a way that makes them straightforward to tell apart. For example, "Marcus's iPhone," "Marcus's iPad," and "Marcus's Mac" make it clear which device is which when you're setting up AirDrop or HomeKit.

Changing Your Device Name on Other Apple Devices

The process is similar on iPad and Mac, though the menu locations differ slightly. On iPad, go to Settings > General > About and tap the name field at the top. On Mac, go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions) > General > About, then click the Edit button next to the device name at the top of the window.

If you have an Apple Watch, you cannot change its name directly. The watch's name is automatically set based on your iPhone's name—it will be "[Your iPhone Name] Watch." If you want to change your watch's name, change your iPhone's name first, and the watch will update automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my device name affect my phone number or service?

No. Your device name is only used for identifying your phone when connecting to other devices and networks. Your phone number, carrier, plan, and all account information stay exactly the same. Changing the name has no effect on your cellular service or any calls or texts you send and receive.

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

iOS allows most emoji and special characters, but some Bluetooth devices and older car stereos may not display them correctly. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, and common punctuation like hyphens and apostrophes to may support your name shows up properly on all devices you connect to.

What if I can't find the name field in Settings > General > About?

Make sure you're at the very top of the About screen. The name field is the first item listed, before model, storage, and serial number information. If you still don't see it, scroll up—it may be above the current view. If you see other information but no name field, try closing Settings and reopening it.

Does changing my device name change my Apple ID name?

No. Your device name and Apple ID name are separate. Changing your device name only affects how your phone identifies itself to other devices. Your Apple ID name (the one used for iCloud, the App Store, and your account) remains unchanged. To change your Apple ID name, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Name, Phone, Email.

Will my old device name still appear on devices I've already paired with?

Yes, until you disconnect and reconnect. Paired devices like headphones or car stereos will keep showing the old name until you unpair them and pair again. To update a paired device, go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the information icon next to the device, select Forget This Device, then pair it again.