Rename Your Apple TV in Settings

You can change the name of your Apple TV directly from the device itself using the Settings app. This name is what appears on your home network, in AirPlay menus, and in your iCloud account when you sign in with the same Apple ID. The process takes about two minutes and requires only your remote.

Start by opening Settings on your Apple TV. Use your remote to navigate to AirPlay and HomeKit, then select AirPlay. You will see a field labeled Apple TV Name with the current name displayed. Press the touchpad or select button on your remote to edit the field, then use the on-screen keyboard to type a new name. Press Done when finished. The change takes effect when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • The Apple TV name is changed through Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit > AirPlay on the device itself, not through a separate app or website.
  • You can use any name you want—there is no character limit beyond what the on-screen keyboard allows, and special characters are permitted.
  • The new name appears on your home network, in AirPlay menus on other Apple devices, and in HomeKit if you have set up home automation.
  • If you have multiple Apple TVs on the same network, giving each one a distinct name makes it easier to select the right device when casting video or audio.

What the Apple TV Name Controls

The name you set in Settings is the identifier that appears whenever another device on your network tries to connect to your Apple TV. When you use AirPlay to send video, music, or photos from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you will see this name in the AirPlay menu. If you use HomeKit to automate your TV or control it remotely, the name also appears there.

The name does not affect your Apple ID, your iCloud account, or your subscription services. It is purely a label for the hardware device. If you sign out of your Apple ID and sign back in with a different account, the device name stays the same unless you manually change it again.

Using the On-Screen Keyboard

When you select the Apple TV Name field, an on-screen keyboard appears. The keyboard works the same way as other text entry on Apple TV—use your remote's touchpad to move between letters, or use the arrow buttons to navigate. Swipe or tap to select each letter, number, or symbol you want to type.

If you make a mistake, use the delete button (usually marked with an X or backspace symbol) to remove the last character. Once you have typed the name you want, select Done to save it. If you change your mind before selecting Done, you can press the Menu button on your remote to cancel without saving.

Renaming Multiple Apple TVs on One Network

If you own more than one Apple TV, you should give each device a unique name so you can tell them apart when casting. A common naming scheme is to use the room where the TV is located—for example, "Living Room Apple TV," "Bedroom Apple TV," or "Kitchen Apple TV." You can also use descriptive names like "Main TV" and "Guest Room TV."

Repeat the Settings process on each Apple TV to set its individual name. Each device stores its own name locally, so changing one does not affect the others. When you use AirPlay from your iPhone or Mac, you will see all the names listed, making it straightforward to choose which device you want to send content to.

What Happens After You Change the Name

The new name takes effect when ready on your Apple TV. If you have HomeKit set up, the device name may take a few seconds to update in the Home app on your iPhone or iPad. If you are currently using AirPlay on another device, you may need to close and reopen the AirPlay menu to see the updated name.

The old name will no longer appear on your network or in any menus. If you have bookmarked or saved the Apple TV under its old name in any app, that reference will not automatically update—you may need to remove the old entry and add the device again using the new name.

Troubleshooting Name Changes That Do Not Appear

If you change the name but it does not show up in AirPlay menus on your other devices, restart your Apple TV first. Unplug the power cable for 10 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for the device to fully boot. This clears the network cache and forces your other devices to refresh their connection list.

If the name still does not appear, restart the device you are trying to cast from—your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Sometimes the sending device caches the old name and needs to reconnect to the network to see the update. If you are still having trouble, check that all your devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and that your Apple TV has a stable connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use special characters or emoji in the Apple TV name?

Yes, the on-screen keyboard allows letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks. Emoji are also supported on newer Apple TV models. Keep the name under 50 characters so it displays fully in AirPlay menus and HomeKit.

Will changing the Apple TV name affect my subscriptions or sign-in?

No. The device name is separate from your Apple ID and has no effect on your streaming services, iCloud account, or any subscriptions. You can change the name as often as you want without impacting your access to any content.

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 the Home app on your iPhone or iPad if you have HomeKit set up—it will list all your Apple TVs by their current names.

Do I need to change the name on my Apple ID account separately?

No. The name you set in Apple TV Settings is the only place you need to change it. Your Apple ID account itself does not have a separate field for the device name—the Settings change is all that is needed.