Open Settings and Find Your AirPods

To change your AirPod name on iPhone, start by opening the Settings app on your home screen. Tap Bluetooth from the main menu — this is where your iPhone lists all connected wireless devices.

Look for your AirPods in the list of devices. They will show a blue dot next to the name if they are currently connected. Tap the information icon (the small circle with an "i" inside it) next to your AirPods name. Do not tap the name itself — that will just connect or disconnect them.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, tap Bluetooth, find your AirPods, and tap the information icon next to their name.
  • Tap the current AirPod name at the top of the details screen to edit it directly.
  • Type your new name and tap Done — the change takes effect when ready across all your Apple devices.
  • If you cannot find the information icon, make sure your AirPods are powered on and in range of your iPhone.
  • The new name will sync to your Mac, iPad, and Apple Watch if they use the same Apple ID.

Tap the Name Field and Type Your New Name

Once you are in the AirPods details screen, you will see the current name displayed at the top in a text field. Tap directly on that name to select it. The text will highlight, and a keyboard will appear at the bottom of your screen.

Delete the old name by pressing the delete key repeatedly or by selecting all the text and typing over it. Type your new name — you can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks. Keep it short enough to read easily in your Bluetooth menu, though there is no strict character limit.

Save Your New AirPod Name

After you finish typing, tap the Done button in the top right corner of the keyboard. Your iPhone will save the new name when ready. You will be returned to the Bluetooth settings screen, and your AirPods will now display under their new name.

The change takes effect right away on your iPhone. If you own other Apple devices — a Mac, iPad, or Apple Watch — signed into the same Apple ID, the new name will sync to those devices within a few minutes. You do not need to rename your AirPods on each device separately.

Rename AirPods Pro or AirPods Max

The process is identical for AirPods Pro and AirPods Max. Open Settings, go to Bluetooth, tap the information icon next to your model, and edit the name field. The only difference is that AirPods Max may take a few extra seconds to appear in your Bluetooth list if they have been in standby mode.

If you have multiple pairs of AirPods, each pair will have its own entry in your Bluetooth settings. You can rename them all independently — for example, "My AirPods Pro" and "Work AirPods" — so you can tell them apart when switching between pairs.

What to Do If You Cannot Find the Information Icon

If the information icon does not appear next to your AirPods name, your AirPods may be powered off or out of range. Make sure they are in their case with the lid open, or wearing them with Bluetooth turned on. Wait a few seconds for them to appear in your Bluetooth list.

If your AirPods still do not show up, try forgetting them and reconnecting. In the Bluetooth settings, tap the information icon next to your AirPods, scroll down, and tap Forget This Device. Then place your AirPods in pairing mode (hold the setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds until the light flashes white) and reconnect them to your iPhone.

Rename AirPods on Other Apple Devices

If you want to use a different name on your Mac, iPad, or Apple Watch, you can rename them separately. On a Mac, open System Settings, click Bluetooth, find your AirPods, click the information icon, and edit the name. On an iPad, the process mirrors your iPhone: Settings > Bluetooth > information icon > edit name.

Apple Watch users can rename AirPods through the Watch app on their paired iPhone. Open the Watch app, go to Bluetooth, tap your AirPods, and edit the name there. However, most people keep the same name across all devices for consistency, since the name syncs automatically when devices share an Apple ID.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common mistake is tapping the AirPods name directly instead of the information icon. Tapping the name itself will only connect or disconnect them — it will not open the editing screen. Always look for the small "i" icon to the right of the name.

Another mistake is trying to rename AirPods while they are powered off or disconnected. Your iPhone needs to communicate with your AirPods to save the new name, so make sure they are on and in range before you start. If the rename does not seem to save, disconnect and reconnect your AirPods, then try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use special characters or emojis in my AirPod name?

You can use most punctuation marks and numbers, but emojis are not supported in AirPod names. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes for the clearest results. Names with special characters may not display correctly on older devices or in some apps.

Will renaming my AirPods affect their sound quality or settings?

No. Renaming your AirPods changes only the label that appears in your Bluetooth menu. It does not affect sound, noise cancellation, transparency mode, or any other feature. All your audio settings remain exactly as they were.

What happens if I rename my AirPods and then forget them?

When you forget your AirPods and reconnect them, they will revert to their original factory name (like "John's AirPods Pro"). You will need to rename them again using the same process. To avoid this, only forget your AirPods if you are troubleshooting a connection problem.

Can I rename my AirPods if they are not connected to my iPhone right now?

Your AirPods need to be powered on and in range, but they do not need to be actively playing audio. If they are in pairing mode or have been previously connected, they should appear in your Bluetooth list. If they do not show up, turn them off and on again, or place them back in their case for a few seconds.

Do I need to rename my AirPods on my iPad and Mac separately?

Not necessarily. If your iPad and Mac use the same Apple ID as your iPhone, the new name will sync automatically within a few minutes. However, you can give them different names on each device if you prefer — just repeat the renaming process on each device separately.