Change an app's display name using the Rename feature
You can change the name that appears under any app icon on your iPhone home screen without affecting the app itself or how it works. Apple added this feature in iOS 16, and it takes about 10 seconds per app. The new name appears only on your phone — other people won't see it, and the app's actual name stays the same in the App Store and in Settings.
To rename an app, press and hold the app icon on your home screen until a menu appears. Tap Rename from the menu. A text field will open showing the current name. Delete the old text and type your new name, then tap Done or press the return key. The change takes effect when ready.
You can use any text you want — a nickname, an emoji, a shorter version of the name, or something completely different. There is no character limit enforced by Apple, though very long names will be cut off with an ellipsis (…) under the icon.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold an app icon, then tap Rename to change only the display name on your home screen.
- The app's actual name in the App Store and Settings does not change, only what you see under the icon.
- You can rename any app, including built-in Apple apps like Mail or Calendar.
- The new name appears only on your iPhone — it does not sync to other devices or affect how other people see the app.
Renaming built-in Apple apps works the same way
Apple's own apps — Mail, Calendar, Reminders, Notes, Maps, and others — can be renamed just like third-party apps. The process is identical: press and hold the icon, tap Rename, type the new name, and tap Done.
Some people rename built-in apps to make their home screen more organized or to use shorter names that take up less space. For example, you might rename "Health" to "H" or "Stocks" to "Market." The renamed app will still open the same app and work exactly as before.
What happens if you want to undo a name change
If you change your mind about a new name, you can change it back at any time. Press and hold the app icon again, tap Rename, clear the current text, and type the original name or a different one. There is no limit to how many times you can rename an app.
If you cannot remember the original name, you can look it up in the App Store by searching for the app. Open the App Store app, tap the search tab at the bottom, search for the app by its function (for example, "email" or "weather"), and the official name will appear in the results.
Renaming does not affect app folders or Siri
If you have placed an app inside a folder on your home screen, you can still rename it. Press and hold the app icon inside the folder, tap Rename, and change the name. The folder name itself does not change — only the individual app name changes.
Renaming an app also does not change how Siri recognizes it. If you rename "Maps" to "Navigation," you can still say "Hey Siri, open Maps" and Siri will open the app. Siri uses the app's actual name, not the display name you created.
The difference between renaming and offloading an app
Renaming an app is different from offloading it. When you rename an app, it stays on your phone and works normally — you are only changing what the label says. Offloading removes the app from your phone to free up storage space, though you can reinstall it later from the App Store.
If you want to hide an app instead of renaming it, you can move it to the App Library (the last screen of your home screen) or place it in a folder. You can also hide apps from your home screen entirely by going to Settings > Home Screen and unchecking the apps you want to hide.
Renaming apps on different iOS versions
The Rename feature is available on iOS 16 and later. If you have an older iPhone running iOS 15 or earlier, this feature is not available, and you cannot rename apps from the home screen.
To check your iOS version, open Settings, tap General, and tap About. Look for the "Software Version" line. If you see iOS 16 or higher, you can rename apps. If you see iOS 15 or lower, you will need to update your iPhone to use this feature. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to install the latest version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rename an app to something with special characters or emojis?
Yes. You can use emojis, numbers, symbols, and any characters your keyboard supports. Many people use a single emoji as an app name to save space on their home screen — for example, renaming Notes to just a notepad emoji.
Will my renamed apps show the new name on my iPad or Mac?
No. App names are specific to each device. If you rename an app on your iPhone, the name stays the same on your iPad, Mac, or other Apple devices. Each device keeps its own home screen layout and app names.
What if I rename an app and then update it from the App Store?
The app will keep your custom name. Updates do not reset app names to their defaults. Your renamed app will update normally and continue to display the name you gave it.
Can I rename apps in the App Library?
Yes. You can rename an app whether it is on your home screen or in the App Library. Press and hold the app icon in either location and tap Rename. The process is the same.