Where to find and change your AirDrop name
Your AirDrop name is the label that appears to other people when they look for devices to send files to. By default, Apple sets it to "[Your Name]'s iPhone" — but you can change it to anything you want. The setting lives in your iPhone's main Settings app, in the section that controls how your device appears to nearby phones.
Open Settings, then tap General. Scroll down and tap About. At the top of the About screen, you'll see a field labeled Name — this is your device name, and it's the same name that shows up in AirDrop. Tap that field, delete the current text, type the new name you want, and tap Done. Your AirDrop name updates when ready.
The name you enter can be up to 32 characters long and can include letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks. There's no restriction on what you call it — some people use their own name, others use a nickname or a description of the device.
Key Takeaways
- Your AirDrop name is your device name, found in Settings > General > About > Name, and you change it by tapping the Name field and typing a new one.
- The new name takes effect when ready on your phone and broadcasts to other devices within a few seconds.
- Changing your device name also changes how your iPhone appears on Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth connections, and to other Apple devices.
- You can use up to 32 characters including letters, numbers, spaces, and punctuation, and you can change it back and forth as many times as you want.
What happens when you change your device name
When you change the Name field in Settings > General > About, you're changing your device name across all of Apple's systems at once. This means the new name shows up not just in AirDrop, but also in Wi-Fi settings, Bluetooth pairing screens, and when your phone connects to a Mac or iPad. If you share a home Wi-Fi network with family members, they'll see the new name in their network list.
The change is when ready on your own phone, but it takes a moment for other people's devices to recognize it. If someone has your phone already saved in their contacts or paired via Bluetooth, their device may still show the old name for a few seconds until it refreshes. If you're in the middle of an AirDrop transfer when you change the name, the transfer will complete without interruption.
Why you might want to change your AirDrop name
The default name Apple assigns — "[Your Name]'s iPhone" — tells everyone nearby exactly who owns the phone. If you're in a coffee shop or on public Wi-Fi, you might prefer a more generic name for privacy. Some people use just their first name, a nickname, or a description like "Work Phone" or "Travel Device" instead.
You might also change it if you have multiple Apple devices. If you own both an iPhone and an iPad, giving them different names makes it easier to pick the right one when you're sending a file. For example, "Sarah's iPhone" and "Sarah's iPad" are clearer than two devices both labeled "Sarah's Device."
Troubleshooting if your AirDrop name won't change
If you've entered a new name but it's not showing up in AirDrop on other people's phones, restart your iPhone. Go to Settings > General > Shut Down, wait a few seconds, then press and hold the side button to turn it back on. Once it restarts, the new name should broadcast to nearby devices.
If the name field in Settings > General > About is grayed out or won't let you type, your phone may be in a restricted mode. Check Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions — if it's turned on, you'll need to disable it or enter the Screen Time passcode to edit your device name. If you don't remember the passcode, you'll need to reset it through Settings > Screen Time > Change Screen Time Passcode.
If other people still can't see your phone in AirDrop after restarting, make sure AirDrop itself is turned on. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center, long-press the network settings card (the one with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth), and tap AirDrop. Set it to Everyone or Contacts Only depending on your preference.
Keeping your AirDrop name private
Your device name is visible to anyone within Bluetooth range who opens their AirDrop menu, so think about what information you want to share. A name like "Sarah Chen's iPhone" tells strangers your first and last name. A name like "iPhone" or "Work Device" reveals nothing personal.
If you use AirDrop mostly with people you know, a personal name is fine. If you're often in public spaces or on shared networks, a generic name is safer. You can change it back and forth whenever you want — there's no limit to how many times you can edit it.
How AirDrop uses your device name
When someone nearby opens AirDrop and sets it to Everyone or Contacts Only, their phone broadcasts a search for nearby devices. Your iPhone responds with your device name, and that's what appears in their list. If they tap your name to send you a file, a notification pops up on your phone asking whether you want to receive it.
The device name is also used when you're sending files to someone else. When you open a photo, document, or other file and tap the Share button, then tap AirDrop, you'll see a list of nearby devices with their names. The names you see are the device names the other people have set in their Settings > General > About screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have different names for AirDrop and Wi-Fi?
No. Your device name controls how your iPhone appears in all Apple systems — AirDrop, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and iCloud. If you change the name in Settings > General > About, it changes everywhere at once. There's no separate AirDrop-only name setting.
What characters can I use in my AirDrop name?
You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks, up to 32 characters total. Avoid very long names or special symbols that might not display correctly on older devices. Stick to standard keyboard characters for the best compatibility.
Will changing my device name affect my iCloud account or backups?
No. Your device name is separate from your Apple ID and iCloud account. Changing it won't affect your backups, photos, or any data stored in iCloud. It only changes how your phone appears to nearby devices.
Can someone else change my AirDrop name without my permission?
Only if they have physical access to your phone and know your passcode or Face ID. The device name is in Settings, which requires authentication to access. If you're concerned about unauthorized changes, make sure your passcode is strong and unique.
Does my AirDrop name show up in my contacts list?
No. Your device name only appears when someone opens AirDrop and looks for nearby devices to send files to. It doesn't show up in the Contacts app or anywhere else on other people's phones unless they've saved your phone number or email address separately.