Change the name in Settings on your Apple TV box

Open Settings on your Apple TV device. Go to AirPlay and HomeKit, then select AirPlay. You will see a field labeled Name with your current device name — usually something like "Living Room" or "Apple TV." Tap that field, delete the old name, type the new one, and press Done. The change takes effect when ready.

The name you set here is what appears on other devices when you AirPlay content to your Apple TV, and it is also the name HomeKit uses if you have set up home automation. Changing it does not affect your Apple ID, your iCloud account, or any of your saved passwords and preferences.

Key Takeaways

  • The device name is found in Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit > AirPlay on your Apple TV box.
  • You can use any name you want — it only affects how the device appears to other devices on your network.
  • The change is when ready and does not require a restart or sign-out.
  • If you use HomeKit, the new name will update there automatically.
  • Renaming your Apple TV does not erase any shows, apps, or account information.

Why you might want to rename your device

If you have more than one Apple TV in your home, giving each one a descriptive name makes it much easier to find the right one when you AirPlay from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Instead of seeing two devices both labeled "Apple TV," you can name them "Bedroom" and "Kitchen" so you know exactly where your content is going.

A clear name also helps if you use HomeKit to automate your TV — you can create scenes like "Movie Time" that turn on the living room TV and dim the lights, and HomeKit needs to know which device you mean. If you rename your device after setting up HomeKit automations, those automations continue to work without any changes on your part.

What happens if you do not see the AirPlay and HomeKit option

If you have an older Apple TV model (tvOS 10 or earlier), the settings menu is organized differently. Look for Settings > AirPlay instead. The name field is in the same place, just under a slightly different menu structure.

If you cannot find the name field at all, restart your Apple TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting for it to fully boot. Then try the Settings path again. A restart sometimes fixes display issues in the settings menu.

Changing the name on an older Apple TV model

For Apple TV 3rd generation and earlier, go to Settings > General > About. You will see the device name listed there, but you cannot edit it directly from that screen. Instead, go back to Settings > AirPlay and look for the name field in that menu.

If you are using an Apple TV with tvOS 12 or later, the process described in the first section applies. Apple consolidated these settings in tvOS 12, so the AirPlay and HomeKit menu is the standard place across all newer models.

How the device name appears on your other devices

When you open Control Center on your iPhone or iPad and tap AirPlay, you will see a list of available devices. The name you set on your Apple TV is exactly what appears in that list. The same name shows up in the AirPlay menu on your Mac under System Preferences > Sound or in any app that lets you send audio or video to another device.

If you change the name on your Apple TV, the new name appears on all your other devices within a few seconds — you do not need to restart anything or refresh any menus. The change syncs across your network automatically.

Renaming does not affect your account or content

Changing your device name is purely cosmetic. It does not sign you out of your Apple ID, does not delete any apps or shows you have downloaded, and does not change any of your preferences or settings. Your Apple TV will continue to show you the same recommendations, keep your watch history, and remember your passwords for streaming apps.

If you have set up HomeKit on your Apple TV, renaming the device updates its name in HomeKit automatically. Any automations or scenes you created will continue to work with the new name — you do not have to recreate them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use special characters or spaces in the device name?

Yes. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks. Avoid very long names — Apple TV displays the full name in AirPlay menus, and extremely long names can look cut off on smaller screens. A name like "Living Room Apple TV" or "Bedroom-4K" works well.

What if I forget what I named my Apple TV?

Go back to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit > AirPlay to see the current name. You can also check your HomeKit app if you have set up home automation — the device name appears there under your home settings.

Do I need to restart my Apple TV after changing the name?

No. The name change takes effect when ready. You do not need to restart, sign out, or do anything else — just set the new name and you are done.

Will changing the name affect my HomeKit automations?

No. HomeKit automatically updates to use the new name. Any scenes, automations, or routines that reference your Apple TV will continue to work without any changes on your part.

Can I change the name from my iPhone or iPad?

No. You must change the device name directly on the Apple TV itself using the Settings menu. You cannot rename it remotely from another device, but you can see the current name in your HomeKit app under home settings.