Change your AirPod name in Settings on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac
You can rename your AirPods directly from the device they're paired with. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way whether you have AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, or standard AirPods. The new name shows up whenever you connect them, and if you have multiple Apple devices signed into the same account, the name syncs across all of them.
The name you choose appears in your Bluetooth settings, on your lock screen when you connect them, and in the AirPods case battery widget. This is especially useful if you own more than one pair or share devices with family members.
Key Takeaways
- Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad, go to Bluetooth, find your AirPods in the list, and tap the info icon next to them to rename.
- On a Mac, open System Settings, click Bluetooth, right-click your AirPods, and select Rename from the menu.
- The new name syncs automatically across all your Apple devices that share the same iCloud account.
- You can change the name back anytime using the same steps — there's no limit to how many times you can rename them.
Rename AirPods on iPhone or iPad
Start by opening the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap Bluetooth from the main menu. You'll see a list of all your paired devices. Find your AirPods in that list — they'll show the current name and a small icon next to them.
Tap the info icon (the small circle with an "i" inside it) next to your AirPods name. A menu will pop up with several options. Tap Name at the top of this menu. The current name will appear in a text field, highlighted and ready to edit. Delete the old name and type in whatever you want to call them.
When you're done typing, tap Done in the top right corner of the keyboard. The name saves immediately — you don't need to confirm it anywhere else. Go back to the Bluetooth settings and you'll see your AirPods now show the new name in the list.
Rename AirPods on Mac
On a Mac, open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click Bluetooth in the sidebar. Your AirPods will appear in the list of connected devices if they're paired with your Mac.
Right-click directly on your AirPods name in the list. A small menu will appear with several options. Select Rename from this menu. A text field will pop up with the current name highlighted. Type your new name and press Return on your keyboard. The change takes effect immediately.
What happens when you rename them
Once you change the name, it appears everywhere you use those AirPods on your Apple devices. If you're signed into the same iCloud account on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac, the new name syncs to all of them within a few seconds. You won't see the old name anywhere after that.
The name also shows up on your lock screen when you connect the AirPods, in Control Center, and in any app that displays Bluetooth device names. If you share your device with family members, they'll see the new name too.
Common naming mistakes to avoid
Don't use special characters like asterisks, quotation marks, or emoji — while some may appear to work, they can cause problems syncing across devices. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, and basic punctuation like hyphens and apostrophes.
Avoid names that are too long. While there's no hard character limit, very long names can get cut off in some menus and look messy on your lock screen. Something between 10 and 20 characters usually displays cleanly everywhere. If you have multiple pairs, include something that identifies which pair it is — "Marcus's AirPods Pro" or "Bedroom AirPods" works better than just "AirPods."
Rename them back to the default name
If you want to change the name again later, use the exact same steps. You can rename your AirPods as many times as you want — there's no limit. To go back to the original name, just follow the same process and type "AirPods," "AirPods Pro," or "AirPods Max" depending on which model you have.
If you've forgotten what the original name was, you can look it up by checking the box your AirPods came in, or by searching online for your specific model. The default names are always the same for each model.
Troubleshooting if the name won't change
If you tap the info icon and don't see a Name option, make sure you're tapping the small "i" icon and not just the AirPods name itself. On some older iOS versions, you may need to tap and hold on the AirPods name instead of tapping the info icon.
If the name changes on one device but doesn't sync to your other devices, check that you're signed into the same iCloud account on all of them. Go to Settings, tap your name at the top, and verify the account email is the same. If it's not, sign out and sign back in with the correct account. The name should sync within a minute or two after that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use emoji in my AirPods name?
While some emoji may appear to type in, they often don't sync properly across devices and can cause the name to display incorrectly. Stick to letters, numbers, and standard punctuation for the most reliable result across all your Apple devices.
Will renaming my AirPods affect how they connect?
No. Renaming only changes the display name you see in settings and on your lock screen. The connection itself works exactly the same way. Your AirPods will still pair and connect automatically just like they did before.
What if I have multiple pairs of AirPods?
You can rename each pair individually using the same steps. Each pair gets its own entry in your Bluetooth settings with its own name. This makes it easy to tell them apart when you're connecting a different pair.
Does the new name show up on my AirPods case?
No. The physical case itself doesn't display any name. The new name only appears in your device settings, on your lock screen when you connect them, and in the battery widget. The case looks the same no matter what you name them.
Can I rename AirPods on Android or Windows?
No. You can only rename AirPods through Apple devices — iPhone, iPad, or Mac. If you use AirPods with an Android phone or Windows computer, you can't change the name from those devices. You'll need to use an Apple device to make the change.