Where to Find the User Name Setting on Your iPad

Your iPad user name appears in Settings under your Apple ID profile, not in a separate "user name" menu. To change it, open Settings, tap your name at the top of the screen, then look for Name, Phone Numbers, Email. The name you see there is what displays on your device and in shared documents, messages, and FaceTime calls.

If you do not see your name at the top of Settings, you may not be signed into an Apple ID. Tap Sign in to your iPad and enter your Apple ID email and password first. Once you are signed in, your profile card will appear at the top.

Key Takeaways

  • Your iPad user name is stored in your Apple ID profile, found by tapping your name at the top of the Settings app.
  • You can change your display name without changing your Apple ID email address or password.
  • The new name takes effect when ready on your iPad and syncs to other devices signed into the same Apple ID.
  • If you want to change your Apple ID email address itself, that requires a separate process through your account settings.

Step-by-Step: Changing Your Display Name

Open the Settings app on your iPad. Tap your name and profile picture at the very top of the Settings menu—this opens your Apple ID card. You will see several options listed below your current name.

Tap Name, Phone Numbers, Email. On the next screen, you will see your first and last name in separate fields. Tap the first name field, delete the current text, and type your new first name. Then tap the last name field and enter your new last name. When you are finished typing, tap Done in the top right corner.

Your iPad will save the change when ready. The new name will appear the next time you restart an app or sign out and back in. If you have other devices signed into the same Apple ID—an iPhone, Mac, or another iPad—the name change will sync to those devices within a few minutes.

What Changes and What Stays the Same

Changing your display name only affects the name that shows up on your device and in apps. Your Apple ID email address (the one you use to sign in) does not change. Your password stays the same. Any accounts, subscriptions, or purchases linked to your Apple ID remain exactly as they were.

The new name will appear in FaceTime, Messages, shared documents in iCloud, and any apps that pull your profile information from your Apple ID. If you share a family plan with other people, they will see your new name in the Family Sharing settings. Your old name will no longer appear in those places.

If You Cannot Find Your Name in Settings

If you tap your name at the top of Settings and do not see Name, Phone Numbers, Email as an option, check whether you are signed into an Apple ID. Scroll down in your Apple ID card and look for Sign Out. If you see that button, you are signed in. If you see Sign in to your iPad instead, you are not signed in yet.

To sign in, tap Sign in to your iPad, enter your Apple ID email address, and then your password. You may be asked to verify your identity with a code sent to a trusted phone number or email. Once you complete that step, your name will appear in Settings and you can change it using the steps above.

Changing Your Name on a Shared iPad

If your iPad is set up with multiple user accounts (a feature available on iPad with iPadOS 13.5 and later), each account has its own user name. To change the name on a shared iPad, you must be signed into that specific account. Swipe down from the top right corner of the home screen, tap your profile picture, and select the account you want to edit.

Once you are in that account, open Settings, tap your name, and follow the same steps as above. The change will only affect that account's name, not the names of other people who use the iPad. Each person's name is independent.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not confuse your display name with your Apple ID email address. Changing your name in Settings does not change the email you use to sign in. If you want to change your Apple ID email, that is a different process that happens in your Apple ID account settings on iCloud.com, not in the iPad Settings app.

Do not expect the change to appear when ready in every app. Some apps cache your name and may not update until you close and reopen them, or until you sign out and sign back in. Restarting your iPad will force all apps to refresh your profile information.

If you are part of a family group, remember that changing your name will change how you appear to family members in shared calendars, reminders, and photo libraries. Make sure the new name is one you want other family members to see.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name without changing my Apple ID email?

Yes. Your display name and your Apple ID email are separate. You can change your name in Settings without touching your email address. Your email stays the same and is still what you use to sign in.

Will changing my iPad name affect my iPhone or Mac?

Yes, if they are signed into the same Apple ID. The name change will sync across all your devices within a few minutes. If you want different names on different devices, you would need to sign into different Apple IDs on each one.

What if I forgot my Apple ID password and cannot sign in?

You will need to reset your password before you can change your name. Go to Settings, tap Sign in to your iPad, tap Forgot password or don't have an Apple ID, and follow the recovery steps. Apple will send a code to your trusted email or phone number.

Can I change my name back to what it was before?

Yes, anytime. Open Settings, tap your name, select Name, Phone Numbers, Email, and type your old name back in. There is no limit to how many times you can change it.

Does changing my name affect my iCloud storage or files?

No. Your iCloud account, storage plan, and all your files remain the same. Only the name displayed on your device and in apps changes.