Change Your iPad's Name Through Settings

Your iPad has a device name that appears when you connect it to Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth devices, and your Apple account. You can change this name at any time through the Settings app on your iPad. The process takes about two minutes and requires no technical knowledge.

Open Settings on your iPad, then tap General. Scroll down and tap About. At the top of the About screen, you will see a field labeled Name with your current iPad name. Tap that field, delete the existing text, type your new name, and tap Done. The change takes effect immediately.

Key Takeaways

  • Your iPad's name is found in Settings > General > About, in the field labeled Name at the top of the screen.
  • You can use any name you want, including spaces and special characters, up to about 30 characters.
  • The new name appears on Wi-Fi networks, when pairing with Bluetooth devices, and in your iCloud account within a few seconds.
  • Changing the name does not affect your data, apps, or any files stored on your iPad.
  • If you share your iPad with others, they will see the new name on any device they connect to yours.

What Your iPad's Name Controls

The name you set in Settings is the identifier that other devices see when they look for your iPad. When you connect to a Wi-Fi network, the network router logs your iPad under that name. When you pair your iPad with a Bluetooth speaker, headphones, or car stereo, those devices display your iPad's name in their pairing list.

Your iPad's name also appears in your iCloud account settings and in the Finder on a Mac if you have file sharing turned on. If you use AirDrop to send files to other people's devices, they see your iPad's name as the source of the file. Changing the name does not change your Apple ID, email address, or any account information — it only changes how your device identifies itself to other devices and networks.

Naming Your iPad: Practical Choices

Choose a name that helps you recognize your device and makes sense to anyone else who might see it. Common choices include "[Your Name]'s iPad", "iPad", "Kitchen iPad", or "Work iPad". If you have multiple iPads, using descriptive names like "iPad Pro" or "iPad Air" followed by a location or purpose makes it easier to pick the right device when pairing or troubleshooting.

Avoid names that are very long or contain only numbers, as they can be harder to spot in a list of devices. You can use spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes in your iPad's name. Special characters like @ or # may work but are not necessary and can sometimes cause confusion when connecting to older devices.

When the Name Change Takes Effect

The new name appears on your iPad immediately after you tap Done in Settings. However, other devices may take a few seconds to a few minutes to recognize the change. If you are currently connected to a Wi-Fi network, you may need to disconnect and reconnect for the network to display the new name. If you are paired with a Bluetooth device, that device may continue showing the old name until you unpair and re-pair it.

If you are signed into iCloud, the new name syncs to your Apple account within a few minutes and will appear in Settings on any other Apple devices you own. You do not need to restart your iPad or sign out of your account for the name change to work.

Changing Your iPad's Name on a Mac or iPhone

If you own a Mac or iPhone as well as an iPad, you can also change your iPad's name from those devices. On a Mac, open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), click General, then About, and look for your iPad in the list of devices. Click Edit next to your iPad's name to change it. On an iPhone, open Settings, tap General, then About, scroll to find your iPad, and tap the name to edit it.

Changes made from a Mac or iPhone sync back to your iPad through iCloud, so you will see the new name appear in your iPad's Settings > General > About screen within a few minutes. This method is useful if you want to manage all your device names from one place or if you are having trouble accessing Settings on your iPad itself.

Troubleshooting Name Changes That Do Not Appear

If you changed your iPad's name but it is not showing up on other devices, first check that the change was saved in Settings. Go back to Settings > General > About and confirm the new name is there. If it is, restart your iPad by holding the top button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears, then slide to power off and turn it back on.

If you are trying to connect to a Bluetooth device and it still shows the old name, unpair the device completely and pair it again. On your iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth, find the device, tap the info icon next to it, and tap Forget This Device. Then put the Bluetooth device back into pairing mode and pair it fresh. For Wi-Fi networks, forget the network in Settings > Wi-Fi, then reconnect and enter your password again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my iPad's name to anything I want?

Yes, you can use any name up to about 30 characters, including spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes. Avoid very long names or names with only numbers, as they can be harder to identify in device lists. Special characters like @ or # may work but are not necessary.

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

No. Your iPad's name is separate from your Apple ID. Changing the device name does not affect your email, password, data, or any files stored in iCloud. Your account information stays exactly the same.

Do I need to restart my iPad after changing its name?

No restart is required. The new name takes effect immediately. However, if other devices are not recognizing the new name, restarting your iPad can help them sync the change faster.

What if I share my iPad with family members?

Everyone who uses the iPad will see the same device name on Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth devices. If you want different names for different users, you would need to change the device name each time, which is not practical. Consider using a neutral name that works for all users.

Can I change my iPad's name from my iPhone?

Yes. On your iPhone, open Settings, tap General, then About, find your iPad in the device list, and tap its name to edit it. The change syncs to your iPad through iCloud within a few minutes.