Change Your iPad Name Through Settings

You can change your iPad's name—the one that appears when you connect to Wi-Fi, pair with other devices, or show up in AirDrop—by going into the Settings app. The name is stored in your device information and takes effect when ready after you save it. This is different from changing your Apple ID or iCloud account; you are only renaming the device itself.

Open Settings on your iPad, then tap General. Scroll down and tap About. At the top of the About screen, you will see a field labeled Name with your current iPad name in it. Tap that field, delete the old name, type your new name, and tap Done. The change saves when ready.

Your new name will show up the next time another device searches for your iPad over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. If you are already connected to another device—like a Mac or iPhone—you may need to disconnect and reconnect for the new name to appear there.

Key Takeaways

  • Your iPad name is changed in Settings > General > About, in the Name field at the top of the screen.
  • The change takes effect when ready and will show on other devices the next time they search for your iPad.
  • Changing your iPad name does not affect your Apple ID, iCloud account, or any of your data.
  • You can use any name you want, including spaces and special characters, though shorter names are easier to spot in device lists.
  • If another device still shows the old name after you change it, disconnect and reconnect that device to refresh the name.

What Your iPad Name Controls

Your iPad name is the identifier that appears when you use AirDrop to send files to other people, when you pair your iPad with a Bluetooth speaker or headphones, or when you connect to a Mac or iPhone using Handoff. It is also the name that shows up in your Wi-Fi router's list of connected devices and in the Finder on a Mac when you plug in your iPad with a cable.

This name is separate from your Apple ID (the email address you use to sign into iCloud and the App Store) and separate from any nickname you set in the Contacts app. Changing the device name does not change any of those other identifiers and does not affect your data, backups, or account settings.

Naming Your iPad for straightforward Recognition

Choose a name that will help you recognize your iPad quickly when you see it in a list of devices. If you have multiple iPads, iPhones, or Macs, naming them by location or owner makes it easier to pick the right one—for example, "Sarah's iPad" or "Kitchen iPad" or "iPad Pro 12.9".

Avoid names that are very long or contain only special characters, because some devices may truncate them or have trouble displaying them. Most systems handle spaces and hyphens without issue, so "Sarah's iPad" or "Sarah-iPad" will work fine. If you later want to change the name again, you can return to the same Settings screen and repeat the process.

When the Name Does Not Update on Other Devices

If you change your iPad name but another device still shows the old name, the most common reason is that the connection is cached. Disconnect the two devices and reconnect them. For Bluetooth devices like speakers or headphones, go to Settings > Bluetooth on your iPad, tap the information icon next to the device name, and tap Forget This Device. Then pair them again.

For a Mac connected by cable, unplug the iPad and plug it back in. For AirDrop, make sure both devices have AirDrop turned on (swipe down from the top right on your iPad to open Control Center, tap and hold the AirDrop icon, and select Everyone or Contacts Only). The new name should appear within a few seconds.

Changing Your iPad Name on Older iPad Models

The steps are the same on all iPad models running iOS 5 or later, which covers every iPad still in use. Older iPad models that can no longer update to current versions of iPadOS may have slightly different menu layouts, but the Settings > General > About > Name path remains the standard location.

If you are using an iPad with an older operating system and cannot find the Name field in About, check whether your iPad can update to a newer version. You can see your current iPadOS version in Settings > General > About, in the line labeled Software Version. If an update is available, Settings will show an option to install it.

Renaming Your iPad After Setup

If you did not name your iPad during the initial setup process, you can do it at any time using the method above. During setup, Apple typically suggests a default name based on your Apple ID and device type—for example, "Sarah's iPad" or "iPad Air". If you accepted that name and now want to change it, the process is identical to renaming an iPad you have owned for years.

You can also rename your iPad if you have transferred it to a new owner or are preparing to sell or give it away. Changing the device name does not erase any data; it only changes the identifier that other devices see. If you are transferring the iPad to someone else, you should also sign out of your Apple ID in Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out before handing it over.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my iPad name affect my Apple ID or iCloud account?

No. Your iPad name is only the device identifier. Your Apple ID, iCloud account, and all your data remain unchanged. You can rename your iPad as many times as you want without affecting your account or any of your files.

Will changing my iPad name delete any of my data?

No. Renaming your iPad does not delete, modify, or back up any data. It only changes the name that appears when other devices search for your iPad over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

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

Most special characters and spaces work fine. Emoji may work depending on your iPadOS version, but some devices may not display them correctly, so plain text names are more reliable. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, and hyphens if you want the name to display consistently across all your devices.

Why does my Mac still show my iPad's old name after I changed it?

The Mac is using a cached version of the name. Disconnect the iPad from the Mac (unplug the cable or turn off Bluetooth), wait a few seconds, and reconnect. The new name should appear within a few seconds of reconnecting.

Can I change my iPad name from another device like my iPhone?

No. You must change the name on the iPad itself through Settings > General > About. Other devices cannot remotely change your iPad's name, and there is no way to do it through iCloud or the Find My app.