Change your iPhone name in Settings > General > About

Your iPhone has a name that appears when you connect it to a computer, use AirDrop, or set up a new device from a backup. To change it, open Settings, tap General, then tap About. At the top of the screen, you'll see a field with your current iPhone name — tap it, delete the old name, type a new one, and tap Done. The change takes effect immediately.

The name you choose appears to other people when they use AirDrop to send you files, when your iPhone shows up in Bluetooth device lists, and in iCloud if you have multiple devices. It does not change your Apple ID, your phone number, or anything visible on your home screen.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to Settings > General > About and tap the name field at the top to edit your iPhone's name directly.
  • Your iPhone name is what others see in AirDrop, Bluetooth menus, and iCloud — not what appears on your home screen.
  • You can use any name you want, including spaces and emoji, and the change happens right away.
  • If you cannot tap the name field, make sure you are signed into iCloud with your Apple ID.

What the iPhone name actually controls

The iPhone name is separate from your Apple ID, your phone number, and your contact name in other people's phones. It is the identifier that shows up in specific places: when someone near you opens AirDrop and sees available devices, when you pair your iPhone with a Bluetooth speaker or car stereo, when you back up to iCloud, and when you set up a new iPhone from a backup of this one.

The name does not appear on your lock screen, home screen, or in your own Settings app. Other people cannot see it unless they are actively looking at a device list or using a feature like AirDrop. If you share an Apple ID with family members, each person's iPhone still has its own separate name.

How to pick a new name

You can use any combination of letters, numbers, spaces, and emoji. Common choices are "[Your Name]'s iPhone", "iPhone 15 Pro", or something more personal like "Midnight Runner" or "The Blue Phone". The name can be up to 32 characters long.

If you have multiple Apple devices — an iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — you might name them all similarly so you can tell them apart in iCloud or when setting up backups. For example, "Sarah's iPhone", "Sarah's iPad", and "Sarah's Mac" makes it obvious which device is which when you see them listed together.

Troubleshooting if you cannot edit the name

If the name field in Settings > General > About is grayed out or will not let you tap it, the most common reason is that you are not signed into iCloud. Go to Settings > [Your Name] at the top and make sure you are signed in with your Apple ID. If you are already signed in, try signing out and back in.

If the field is still locked after signing in, restart your iPhone: press and hold the power button and volume down button together, slide to power off, wait a few seconds, then press and hold the power button again until you see the Apple logo. After the restart, go back to Settings > General > About and try again.

Changing the name on a family member's iPhone

If you are setting up an iPhone for a child or another family member, you can change the name during setup or afterward using the same method: Settings > General > About, tap the name field, and edit it. The person whose Apple ID is on the device can change the name themselves at any time using the same steps.

If you are the parent managing a child's account through Family Sharing, you can change the device name from your own iPhone by going to Settings > [Your Name] > Family Sharing, selecting the child, and tapping their device — but it is usually faster to just change it directly on their iPhone if you have access to it.

Why you might want to rename your iPhone

Renaming is useful when you get a new iPhone and want to keep the old name, when you inherit a device from someone else, or when you have multiple iPhones and need to tell them apart. It is also helpful if your current name has a typo or if you simply want something that feels more personal.

If you use AirDrop frequently with friends or colleagues, a clear name makes it easier for them to find your device in the list. If you use your iPhone with a car that connects via Bluetooth, a descriptive name can help you remember which device is which if you have multiple phones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my iPhone name change my Apple ID?

No. Your Apple ID is your email address or phone number used to sign into iCloud and the App Store. The iPhone name is only a label for the device itself. Changing one has no effect on the other.

Can I use emoji in my iPhone name?

Yes. You can include emoji along with letters and numbers. Just tap the name field in Settings > General > About and use your keyboard's emoji button to add them. The name can be up to 32 characters total.

Will changing my iPhone name affect my backups?

No. Your backups are tied to your Apple ID, not to the device name. You can rename your iPhone without affecting any backups you have already made or any future backups.

What happens to the old name if I sell my iPhone?

Before you sell or give away your iPhone, you should erase it completely using Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. This removes the device name along with everything else. The new owner can then set up the iPhone fresh and give it their own name.

Can I change my iPhone name from my Mac or iPad?

No. You have to change the name on the iPhone itself by going to Settings > General > About. You cannot change it remotely from another device, even if they share the same Apple ID.