Change your iPad's name through the Settings app

Open Settings, tap General, then tap About. At the top of the About screen, you'll see your current iPad name. Tap it once to edit, delete the old name, type the new one, and tap Done. The change takes effect immediately and will show up in Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth device lists, and when you share files with other devices.

Your iPad's name is what appears when someone tries to connect to it via AirDrop, Bluetooth, or when it shows up in their list of nearby devices. Changing it helps you identify your device among multiple iPads or makes it easier to recognize in a shared household.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your iPad's name in Settings > General > About by tapping the current name and typing a new one.
  • The name change appears immediately on your device and in any lists where your iPad shows up to other devices.
  • Your iPad's name is separate from your Apple ID and does not affect your account or data.
  • If you cannot tap the name field, make sure you are running the latest version of iPadOS.

What the name field looks like

When you open Settings > General > About, the very first line shows your device name in large text. On older iPadOS versions, this field may appear as a gray box with white text. On newer versions, it looks like a standard text field. Either way, a single tap on the name itself (not the Settings menu) activates edit mode.

If you see only a model name like "iPad Pro" or "iPad Air" and no custom name, your device is using the default. You can replace it with anything you want — there is no character limit enforced by Apple, though extremely long names may display oddly in some menus.

Why your iPad has a name in the first place

Every iPad gets a default name based on its model and the owner's first name — for example, "James's iPad Pro". This name serves as your device's identifier when it communicates with other devices. When you use AirDrop to send a photo to a friend, they see this name in their list of available recipients. When you pair your iPad with a Bluetooth speaker, that speaker stores this name so it recognizes your device next time.

Changing the name does not affect how your iPad works or what data it stores. It is purely a label for identification. Your Apple ID, iCloud account, and all your personal information remain unchanged.

Troubleshooting if the name field won't edit

If you tap the name and nothing happens, the most common cause is an outdated iPadOS version. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available update, then try again. A restart of your iPad can also help — hold the power button until the slider appears, swipe to power off, wait a few seconds, then power back on.

If you are using a managed iPad through work or school, your organization may have locked the device name to prevent changes. In that case, contact your IT department or administrator. Personal iPads purchased directly from Apple or a carrier should always allow name changes.

How the name appears across your devices

Once you change your iPad's name, it updates everywhere that name is used. In your iPhone or Mac's Bluetooth settings, your iPad will show under the new name. If you have multiple iPads, each one displays its own name, making it easy to pick the right device when connecting. The name also appears in your iCloud account settings under Devices, though that list shows your full device name plus the model type.

If you share your Wi-Fi network with family members, they will see your iPad's new name in their available networks list. Similarly, if you use AirDrop with friends nearby, they see your new device name when deciding whether to accept a file from you.

Changing the name back to default

If you want to restore your iPad to its original default name, go back to Settings > General > About, tap the name field, and type the format Apple uses: "[Your First Name]'s iPad [Model]". For example, "James's iPad Pro" or "Sarah's iPad Air". You can also simply delete everything and let your device revert to its model name alone, though this is less common.

There is no "reset to default" button — you have to type it manually. If you are not sure what the original name was, you can check your iCloud account by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Find My iPad, which shows your device name in that list.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Your iPad's name is only a device identifier. Your Apple ID, password, iCloud data, and all account settings remain exactly the same. Changing the name is purely cosmetic and affects only how the device appears to other devices and people.

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

Yes, you can type emoji, numbers, and most special characters into the name field. However, some characters like forward slashes may cause issues with certain features. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, and common punctuation for the most reliable results across all devices and services.

Will other people see my iPad's name on public Wi-Fi?

Your iPad's name is visible to anyone on the same Wi-Fi network when they look at connected devices, and it appears in AirDrop and Bluetooth lists when those features are active. If privacy is a concern, you can use a generic name instead of one that identifies you personally.

What if I forgot what I named my iPad?

Go to Settings > General > About and look at the top line — that is your current name. You can also check Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Find My iPad, which lists all your devices with their current names.