Change Your iPad's Name Through Settings

You can change your iPad's name by opening the Settings app, tapping General, then About, and selecting the current name at the top of the screen. A text field will appear where you can type a new name. Tap Done when finished. The change takes effect when ready.

This name is what appears when you connect your iPad to a computer, when other devices search for it on your home network, and in iCloud if you have multiple Apple devices. It's also the name that shows up in AirDrop and when you're sharing files with nearby devices.

The name can be up to 32 characters long and can include letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks. Avoid using special characters that your network might not recognize, such as @ or #, since these can sometimes cause connection problems with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth devices.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, tap General, then About, and select your iPad's current name to edit it directly.
  • Your iPad's name appears when connecting to computers, sharing files via AirDrop, and in iCloud across your devices.
  • You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation, but avoid @ and # symbols to prevent network issues.
  • The change takes effect when ready and does not require a restart or sign-out.
  • If you forget your iPad's current name, you can see it in the same About menu before you edit it.

Why You Might Want to Change Your iPad's Name

If you own multiple Apple devices, giving each one a distinct name makes it much easier to identify which device you're connecting to. For example, "Sarah's iPad" is clearer than "iPad" when you're selecting a device to AirDrop a photo to or when you're backing up to iCloud.

A custom name also helps if you're troubleshooting connection problems with your home network or a Bluetooth device. When a technician asks you to identify your iPad on the network, a descriptive name like "iPad-Kitchen" or "iPad-Bedroom" tells them exactly which device you're referring to.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Open Settings. Tap the Settings app on your home screen. It has a gray icon with white gears.

Step 2: Navigate to General. Scroll down and tap General. This is usually near the top of the Settings menu.

Step 3: Open About. Tap About. This is the first option under General on most iPad models.

Step 4: Select the name field. At the very top of the About screen, you'll see your iPad's current name. Tap on it once. A text editing box will appear.

Step 5: Delete the old name and type the new one. Highlight all the text and delete it, then type your new name. You can use up to 32 characters.

Step 6: Confirm the change. Tap the Done button on the keyboard. Your new name is now active.

What Happens After You Change the Name

Your iPad's new name appears when ready on your device and in iCloud. If you have other Apple devices signed into the same iCloud account, they will see the updated name within a few seconds.

Any devices you've previously connected to via Bluetooth or AirDrop will recognize the new name the next time you use those features. If a device is currently connected to your iPad, it will continue to work without interruption, but the name will update once you disconnect and reconnect.

If your iPad is part of a shared family library or if you use it on a shared home network, other family members will see the new name in their device lists. This can be helpful if multiple people in your household use iPads and need to distinguish between them.

Choosing a Good iPad Name

A clear name usually includes your name or a location, such as "David's iPad," "Kitchen iPad," or "David-iPad-Work." This makes it obvious which device is which when you're selecting one from a list.

Keep the name short enough to read easily in menus and connection dialogs. Very long names can be cut off in some displays. Avoid names that are identical to other devices you own, since that defeats the purpose of renaming.

If you share your iPad with family members, consider a neutral name like "Family iPad" or "Guest iPad" rather than a personal name. This prevents confusion if the device is used by multiple people.

If You Can't Find the Name Field

On older iPad models running earlier versions of iPadOS, the name field in the About menu may not be directly tappable. If tapping the name doesn't open an edit box, try a long press (press and hold) on the name for a second or two. This sometimes activates the text field on older software versions.

If neither tapping nor long-pressing works, make sure you're running the latest version of iPadOS. Go to Settings, tap General, then Software Update to check for and install any available updates. After updating, return to Settings > General > About and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my iPad's name from a computer?

Yes. On a Mac, open System Settings, go to General, then About, and look for your iPad in the list of devices. You can edit the name there. On Windows, you can change the name through iTunes or Finder if your iPad is connected via USB cable.

Will changing my iPad's name affect my iCloud backup?

No. Your backup will continue without interruption. The name change is purely cosmetic and does not affect any data, settings, or backup files stored in iCloud.

What if I accidentally delete my iPad's name and tap Done with an empty field?

Your iPad will revert to the default name, usually "iPad" or "[Your Name]'s iPad." You can when ready go back to Settings > General > About and enter a new name to replace it.

Does changing the name affect Wi-Fi or cellular connections?

No. Your iPad will remain connected to your Wi-Fi network and cellular service. The name change only affects how your device is identified to other devices and networks, not the connection itself.

Can I use emoji in my iPad's name?

Most iPad models allow emoji in the name field. However, some older devices or networks may not display emoji correctly, so it's safer to stick with letters, numbers, and standard punctuation for compatibility.