Where to find the device name setting on your iPhone

Your iPhone's device name is the label it uses when connecting to Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth devices, and iCloud. You change it in the Settings app under a section called "General." Open Settings, tap General, then scroll down and tap "About." At the very top of the About screen, you'll see a field labeled "Name" — that's your device name, and it's editable.

The name appears in full when you pair your iPhone with AirPods, connect to a Mac, or show up in a shared iCloud Family Library. It's also what other people see when they try to connect to your iPhone's Personal Hotspot. Changing it is straightforward and takes about 30 seconds.

Key Takeaways

  • Your device name lives in Settings > General > About, in the "Name" field at the top of the screen.
  • Tap the name field, delete the old name, type a new one, and tap "Done" to save the change.
  • The new name takes effect when ready and will show up the next time you connect to a Bluetooth device or share your hotspot.
  • Device names can be up to 32 characters and can include letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks.
  • If you restore your iPhone from a backup, the device name will restore along with it unless you choose to set it up as new.

Step-by-step instructions for renaming your iPhone

Start by opening the Settings app on your home screen. Tap the gray gear icon if you're not sure which one it is. Once Settings opens, look for "General" — it's usually near the top of the list — and tap it.

Scroll down to the bottom of the General menu and tap "About." The first field on the About screen is "Name." Tap directly on the text next to "Name" to enter edit mode. The keyboard will appear and the current name will be highlighted. Delete the old name and type your new one. When you're done typing, tap the "Done" button in the top right corner of the keyboard. The change saves when ready.

What happens after you change the device name

The new name takes effect right away, but you won't see it change everywhere at once. When you next connect to a Bluetooth device like AirPods or a car stereo, that device will show the new name in its pairing list. If someone tries to connect to your Personal Hotspot, they'll see the new name instead of the old one. On your Mac or iPad, your iPhone will appear with the new name in the Bluetooth menu and in iCloud settings.

If you're signed into iCloud, the name change syncs across your devices within a few minutes. Your Mac, iPad, and Apple Watch will all know your iPhone by the new name. This is helpful if you have multiple Apple devices and want them to have consistent, recognizable names.

Naming rules and what characters work

Your device name can be up to 32 characters long. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks, including hyphens, underscores, periods, and apostrophes. Avoid using only numbers or special characters — a name like "iPhone" or "Sarah's iPhone" works fine, but something like "12345" or "!!!!" may cause issues with some Bluetooth devices.

Some older Bluetooth devices have trouble displaying names with certain special characters or emoji. If you're having trouble pairing with an older car stereo or speaker, try simplifying the name to letters and numbers only. Most modern devices handle any standard character without a problem.

Reasons to change your device name

The most common reason is clarity. If you have multiple iPhones in your household, naming them "Sarah's iPhone," "Dad's iPhone," and "Mom's iPhone" makes it obvious which device is which when you're pairing AirPods or connecting to a hotspot. Without distinct names, you might accidentally connect to the wrong phone.

Another reason is privacy. The default name is usually "FirstName's iPhone," which broadcasts your first name to anyone looking at available Bluetooth devices or hotspots nearby. If you prefer not to share your name, you can change it to something generic like "iPhone" or a nickname. You might also change the name if you've inherited or received a used iPhone and want to personalize it to yourself.

What to do if the name won't change or won't stick

If you tap "Done" and the name doesn't save, make sure you're connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data. Device name changes sync to iCloud, so a connection is required. If you're offline, the change may not stick. Connect to Wi-Fi, go back to Settings > General > About, and try again.

If the name reverts after you restart your iPhone, you may have a syncing issue with iCloud. Sign out of iCloud (Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out), wait a minute, then sign back in. Go back to Settings > General > About and change the name again. This usually resolves the problem. If it still doesn't work, restart your iPhone by holding the power button and sliding to power off, then turning it back on.

How device name changes affect backups and restores

When you back up your iPhone to iCloud or a computer, the device name is included in that backup. If you restore from that backup on the same iPhone or a new one, the old device name will restore along with everything else. This is usually what you want — your settings come back exactly as they were.

If you restore from a backup but want a fresh device name, you can change it when ready after the restore completes. Just go back to Settings > General > About and update the name. Alternatively, when setting up a new iPhone, you have the option to "Set Up as New iPhone" instead of restoring from a backup. This gives you a blank slate, including a default device name that you can customize right away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use emoji in my iPhone's device name?

Yes, you can type emoji into the name field, and most modern Bluetooth devices will display them. However, some older devices may not show emoji correctly or may have trouble pairing if the name contains them. If you're pairing with an older car stereo or speaker, stick to letters and numbers to be safe.

Will changing my device name affect my phone number or iCloud account?

No. The device name is purely a label for identification. It has no connection to your phone number, Apple ID, or iCloud account. Changing it won't affect any of your data, contacts, or services.

What's the difference between device name and phone number?

Your device name is what shows up when you pair with Bluetooth devices or share your hotspot — it's just a label you choose. Your phone number is assigned by your carrier and is used for calls, texts, and cellular service. They're completely separate.

If I change my device name, will my AirPods still connect?

Yes. Your AirPods are paired to your iPhone, not to a specific name. When you change the device name, your AirPods will still connect automatically. The new name will just show up in the AirPods settings and in Bluetooth menus.

Can I change my device name on a shared family iPhone?

Only the person signed into the iPhone with their Apple ID can change the device name. If multiple people use the same iPhone with different Apple IDs, whoever is currently signed in can change the name, but it will explore to the whole device, not just their account.