Change your iPhone's name through the Settings app on your device
Your iPhone has a name that appears when you connect it to Wi-Fi networks, pair it with Bluetooth devices, or sync it with a computer. By default, Apple sets this to something like "John's iPhone" based on your account. You can change it to anything you want in about two minutes using the Settings app.
The name is separate from your Apple ID or phone number. Changing it does not affect your account, your data, or how anyone contacts you. It only changes what other devices see when they look for your iPhone to connect to.
Key Takeaways
- Open Settings, tap General, then About, and select the name field to edit it directly.
- Your iPhone's name appears to other devices when they search for Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connections, not to people calling or texting you.
- You can use any name up to 32 characters, including spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes.
- The change takes effect immediately and applies across all your connections.
- Devices already paired under the old name will keep showing the old name until you unpair and reconnect them.
Step-by-step: renaming your iPhone
Open the Settings app on your home screen. Tap General, then scroll down and tap About. At the top of the About screen, you will see a field labeled Name with your current iPhone name in it.
Tap the name field once. The text will highlight and a keyboard will appear. Delete the current name and type the new one you want. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes. Tap Done in the top right corner of the keyboard. The change saves immediately.
Your new name will show up the next time another device searches for your iPhone over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. If you have already paired your iPhone with a car, speaker, or computer under the old name, that device will still show the old name in its paired devices list until you unpair and re-pair it.
What the name does and does not do
The iPhone name is what appears in the Bluetooth menu on your car's dashboard, on your wireless headphones, or on your computer when you are trying to connect. It is also the name that shows in your Wi-Fi settings when you are looking at available networks. It is not your phone number, your contact name, or anything that affects how people reach you.
Changing the name does not change your Apple ID, your iCloud account, your phone number, or any of your data. It does not affect your contacts, your messages, your photos, or your backups. It is purely a label for device-to-device connections and has no impact on your personal information or account security.
Renaming after you have already paired devices
If you have already connected your iPhone to a Bluetooth device like a car or speaker under the old name, that device will continue to show the old name in its list of paired devices. The connection will still work, but the label will not update automatically.
To see your new name on the other device, you can unpair your iPhone and pair it again. Go to that device's Bluetooth settings, find your iPhone's old name in the paired devices list, and select the option to forget or remove it. Then go back to Settings > Bluetooth on your iPhone, find the device in the available list, and tap it to pair again. It will now show your new iPhone name.
Choosing a name for your iPhone
You can use up to 32 characters, so you have room for a descriptive name. Common choices are "John's iPhone," "Work iPhone," "Kitchen iPad," or just a single word like "iPhone." Some people use their name, their location, or a combination that helps them identify which device is which when multiple phones or tablets are in the same room.
Avoid names that are too long or confusing, since you will see them in small text on other devices. Keep in mind that anyone nearby can see your iPhone's name when they search for Bluetooth or Wi-Fi devices, so do not include sensitive information like passwords or account numbers. A simple, clear name works best for everyday use.
Troubleshooting name change issues
If you change your iPhone name but it does not appear on a connected device, try turning Bluetooth off and back on. Go to Settings > Bluetooth, toggle it off, wait a few seconds, then toggle it back on. This forces your iPhone to re-broadcast its name to nearby devices.
If a paired device still shows the old name after you have changed it, the device may have cached the old name in its memory. The most reliable fix is to unpair and re-pair the devices as described in the earlier section. Some devices also have their own settings menu where you can manually edit the name of paired devices, though this varies by manufacturer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my iPhone name affect my Apple ID or iCloud account?
No. Your Apple ID and iCloud account are separate from your device name. Changing the name only changes the label that appears when other devices search for your iPhone over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Your account, data, and settings remain unchanged.
Can I change my iPhone name from my computer or another device?
No. You must change the name directly on the iPhone itself through Settings > General > About. You cannot change it remotely from another device or through iCloud.
What happens if I change my iPhone name while it is connected to Bluetooth?
The change takes effect immediately, but the other device may not see the new name right away. It will show the new name the next time you disconnect and reconnect, or the next time the other device refreshes its list of available devices.
Can I use special characters or emoji in my iPhone name?
You can use letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes. Most special characters and emoji are not supported and will not appear in the name field. Stick to standard keyboard characters for best results.
Does my iPhone name show up in my contacts or when I call someone?
No. Your iPhone name is only visible to other devices when they are searching for Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connections. People who call or text you see your phone number or contact name, not your device name.