Change Your iPad's Name Through Settings

You can change your iPad's name by opening Settings, tapping General, then About, and selecting the name field at the top. Type the new name you want and tap Done. The name you set here is what appears when you connect to Wi-Fi networks, pair with Bluetooth devices, or share files with other Apple devices.

The process takes less than a minute and works the same way on any iPad running iOS 16 or later. Older iPad models use the same steps but the menu layout may differ slightly — if you cannot find About under General, scroll down in the General menu to locate it.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, go to General, then tap About to find the name field at the top of the screen.
  • Your iPad's name is what other devices see when you connect to Wi-Fi or pair via Bluetooth.
  • You can use any name up to 32 characters, including spaces and most punctuation.
  • The change takes effect when ready and does not require a restart.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Start by opening the Settings app on your home screen. Tap the gray gear icon if you have not used Settings recently — it is usually on the first or second page of apps.

Once Settings opens, look for General in the left sidebar (on iPad) or scroll down to find it (on smaller screens). Tap General. Then scroll down and tap About. At the very top of the About screen, you will see a field with your current iPad name — it may say something like "Sarah's iPad" or just "iPad".

Tap that name field once. The text will highlight and a keyboard will appear at the bottom of the screen. Delete the old name and type the new one. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, and most other characters. When you are done typing, tap the Done button in the top right corner of the keyboard. The name saves when ready.

What Your iPad's Name Controls

The name you set in Settings is the identifier other devices see when you are nearby. When you turn on Bluetooth, nearby devices will see this name in their list of available devices to pair with. If someone wants to AirDrop a file to you, your iPad appears in their AirDrop menu under this name.

Your iPad's name also appears in your Wi-Fi network list if you use your iPad as a personal hotspot. When you sign into iCloud, this name tags your device in your Apple account, so you can locate it using Find My iPad if it gets lost. Changing the name does not affect your iCloud account, passwords, or any data on the device.

Choosing a Name That Works

Pick a name that is straightforward for you to recognize but does not reveal sensitive information. "Sarah's iPad" or "Home iPad" are clear and safe. Avoid names that include your full address, phone number, or financial details, since the name is visible to other devices on the same network.

The name can be up to 32 characters long. If you use special characters like apostrophes or hyphens, most devices will still recognize it, but keeping it straightforward makes it easier to spot in a crowded list of nearby devices. You can change the name as many times as you want — there is no limit to how often you update it.

Troubleshooting Name Changes That Do Not Stick

If you type a new name and it reverts to the old one after you tap Done, the most common cause is that you did not fully tap the Done button. Try again: open Settings, go to General, tap About, tap the name field, type the new name, and press Done firmly. Wait a few seconds to confirm the change appears on the screen.

If the name still does not change, restart your iPad. Hold the top button and one of the volume buttons until the power-off slider appears, then slide it to turn off the iPad. Wait 10 seconds, then hold the top button again until the Apple logo appears. Once the iPad restarts, go back to Settings and check whether the name has updated.

On very old iPad models (iPad 2 or earlier), the name field in About may not be editable. If you cannot tap the name field at all, your iPad model does not support changing the name through Settings. In that case, you can change the name through iTunes on a computer by connecting your iPad and editing the device name in the summary tab.

How the Name Appears on Other Devices

When you pair your iPad with a Mac, iPhone, or Apple Watch, the name you set appears in the Bluetooth settings on that device. If you use AirDrop, the name shows in the recipient's AirDrop menu. When you create a personal hotspot, the name appears in the Wi-Fi network list on phones and computers nearby.

Third-party devices like Bluetooth speakers or printers will also see your iPad under this name when you pair them. Some devices may shorten the name or display only the first part of it if the name is very long, but the full name is always stored in your iPad's settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my iPad's name without going to Settings?

No. The only way to change your iPad's name is through Settings > General > About. Some apps may let you set a display name for your account, but that is different from your device name and does not change how other devices see your iPad.

Will changing my iPad's name affect my iCloud account or data?

No. Your iCloud account, photos, apps, and all other data remain exactly the same. Changing the name only changes the label that appears when you connect to other devices or networks. Your account login and passwords are not affected.

What happens if I use the same name for two iPads?

Both devices will appear with that name on nearby devices and networks. This can cause confusion when pairing or using AirDrop. It is best to give each device a unique name so you can tell them apart — for example, "Sarah's iPad" and "Sarah's iPad Pro".

Can I use emoji or special characters in my iPad's name?

Most emoji and special characters will work, but some older devices may not display them correctly. Sticking to letters, numbers, spaces, and hyphens ensures the name displays properly on all devices, including older Bluetooth speakers and printers.