Change your iPhone name in Settings, under General, then About
Your iPhone has a name that other devices see when you try to connect via Bluetooth. By default, it's something like "John's iPhone" or "iPhone 14 Pro". You can change this name to anything you want — a shorter version, a nickname, or something descriptive — and the change takes effect immediately for all Bluetooth connections going forward.
The name you set here is what appears on car stereos, wireless headphones, smartwatches, and any other Bluetooth device when you pair them. It's also the name other people see if they're searching for your phone to connect to.
Key Takeaways
- Open Settings, tap General, then tap About to find the Name field at the top of the screen.
- Tap the current name, delete it, type your new name, and tap Done to save the change.
- The new name appears on all Bluetooth devices within seconds — you don't need to re-pair anything.
- Your iPhone name is visible to anyone searching for Bluetooth devices nearby, so avoid names that reveal personal information.
- If you forget what you named your phone, you can always return to Settings > General > About to check.
Step-by-step: Finding and editing your iPhone name
Start by opening the Settings app on your home screen. Tap the gray gear icon if you don't see it in your dock.
Once Settings opens, scroll down and tap General. This is the second option in most cases. Then tap About — it's usually near the top of the General menu. You'll see a list of information about your phone: model, storage, iOS version, and at the very top, a field labeled Name.
Tap on the Name field. The current name will highlight and become editable. Delete the old name by selecting all the text and pressing delete, or just start typing your new name — the old one will disappear automatically. Type whatever you want: keep it short for easier reading on device screens, or make it descriptive so you know which phone is yours if multiple iPhones are nearby.
When you're done typing, tap the Done button in the top right corner of the keyboard. The name saves immediately.
When the new name appears on other devices
The change takes effect right away. If you have a Bluetooth device already paired to your iPhone — like a car or headphones — the new name will show up the next time that device searches for available connections. You don't need to unpair and re-pair anything.
If you're pairing a new device to your iPhone for the first time after changing the name, the new name will appear in the device's Bluetooth search list immediately.
What name should you choose
Keep the name short and simple. Device screens often show only 15 to 20 characters, so long names get cut off. Something like "Sarah's iPhone" or "Work Phone" is clearer than "Sarah Michelle's iPhone 14 Pro Max that I bought in 2023".
Avoid names that reveal personal information like your full name, address, or phone number. Your iPhone name is broadcast to any Bluetooth device searching nearby, and anyone in range can see it. A generic name like "iPhone" or "My Phone" is safer if you're concerned about privacy in public spaces.
If you have multiple iPhones or share devices with family members, use a name that makes it obvious which phone is which — like "Mom's iPhone" or "iPhone Work" — so there's no confusion when pairing.
Troubleshooting: Name won't change or doesn't appear on devices
If you change the name but it doesn't show up on a paired device, restart both your iPhone and the Bluetooth device. Turn off Bluetooth on your iPhone (Settings > Bluetooth, toggle off), wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on. The device should now see the new name.
If the name field in Settings > General > About appears grayed out or won't let you edit it, your iPhone may be in a restricted mode. This sometimes happens if the device is managed by an organization or school. Contact your IT administrator or the organization managing the device to request permission to change the name.
If you've changed the name but a specific device still shows the old name, forget that device from the Bluetooth list and re-pair it. Go to Settings > Bluetooth, find the device, tap the info icon next to it, and select "Forget This Device". Then search for it again and pair it fresh — it will now show your new iPhone name.
Changing the name on different iPhone models
The process is identical on all iPhone models running iOS 15 or later: Settings > General > About > Name. Older iPhones running iOS 14 or earlier use the same path, so the steps don't change based on which iPhone you own.
If you're using an iPad or Mac, the process is similar but the menu location differs slightly. On iPad, it's Settings > General > About > Name. On Mac, it's System Preferences > General > Sharing, where you'll see a field labeled "Computer Name" at the top.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use special characters or emojis in my iPhone name?
Yes, you can type letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks. Some Bluetooth devices may not display special characters correctly, so stick to standard letters and numbers if you want the name to look the same on all devices.
Will changing my iPhone name affect my Wi-Fi or cellular connection?
No. Your iPhone name only affects Bluetooth connections. Wi-Fi and cellular networks use different identifiers and won't be affected by changing this name.
What happens if I change my iPhone name while a device is actively connected?
The connection stays active. The new name will appear the next time the device searches for your iPhone or the next time you disconnect and reconnect.
Can I change my iPhone name back to the default?
Yes. Go back to Settings > General > About > Name and type the default format: "[Your Name]'s iPhone" or just "iPhone". There's no automatic reset button, so you'll need to type it manually.
Does my iPhone name show up on iCloud or in Find My iPhone?
Your device name in Find My iPhone is separate from your Bluetooth name. You can change the Find My name in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Find My iPhone, but that won't change your Bluetooth name.