Change your AirDrop name in Settings on any Apple device

Your AirDrop name is the label other people see when they try to send you files wirelessly. By default, Apple sets it to something like "James's iPhone" or "James's MacBook Pro" — using your first name and device type. You can change it to anything you want, and the change takes effect when ready.

The process is different depending on whether you use an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, but all three take less than a minute. You do not need to restart your device or turn AirDrop off and back on.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > General > About and tap the name field at the top to edit it directly.
  • On Mac, open System Settings > General > About and click the device name field to change it.
  • Your AirDrop name updates when ready — other devices will see the new name the next time they look for AirDrop recipients.
  • Changing your device name also changes how it appears in Bluetooth settings and on your home WiFi network.
  • You can use any name you want, including spaces and special characters, though very long names may be cut off on some screens.

Change your name on iPhone or iPad

Open the Settings app and tap General. At the very top of the General screen, you will see your device name — it looks like a text field with a blue border around it. Tap on that field to edit it.

Delete the current name and type the new one. Tap Done when you finish. The change is saved when ready, and your device will now appear under the new name when someone nearby tries to send you a file via AirDrop.

If you do not see an editable name field at the top of General, scroll up — it may be above the fold on your screen. On some iPad models, you may need to tap About instead, where the name field appears in the same way.

Change your name on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Click General in the sidebar, then click About. You will see a field labeled "Computer Name" with your current device name in it.

Click on that field to edit it, type your new name, and press Enter. The change takes effect right away. Your Mac will now show the new name in AirDrop, Bluetooth settings, and on your WiFi network.

What name should you use

You can use any name you want — there are no restrictions on length, characters, or content. Some people use their own name, others use a nickname, and some use something descriptive like "Living Room iPad" or "Work Laptop." The name you choose is purely for your own organization and for other people to recognize your device.

Keep in mind that this name appears in several places: when someone tries to AirDrop to you, in your Bluetooth settings, and on your WiFi network. If you use a very long name (more than 30 characters), it may be truncated or cut off on some screens, so shorter names are usually easier to read.

Your AirDrop name is different from your Apple ID

Changing your device name does not change your Apple ID, your iCloud account, or anything related to your account security. It only changes the label that appears when people nearby try to send you files. Your Apple ID remains the same across all your devices.

If you want to change your actual Apple ID name or account information, that is a separate process done through Settings > [Your Name] > Name, Phone, Email on iPhone or iPad, or System Settings > [Your Name] > Name, Phone, Email on Mac.

Why you might want to change your AirDrop name

The default name includes your first name, which means anyone nearby who uses AirDrop can see it. If you prefer privacy, you can change it to something generic like "Device" or "Laptop." If you have multiple devices, changing each one to something descriptive makes it easier to send files to the right device when you are in a room with several people.

You might also change your name if you share a device with someone else, or if you sell or give away a device and want to remove your name before handing it over.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my device name affect my iCloud or Apple ID?

No. Your device name is only a label for AirDrop, Bluetooth, and WiFi. Your Apple ID, iCloud account, and all your data remain unchanged. You can change your device name as many times as you want without affecting your account.

Will people see my old name if I change it while they are trying to AirDrop to me?

No. The change takes effect when ready. If someone is actively looking for AirDrop recipients, they may need to refresh their list or close and reopen the share menu to see the new name, but it will be updated within seconds.

Can I use special characters or emojis in my device name?

Yes, you can use most special characters and emojis. However, very long names or names with many special characters may display oddly on some screens or in some apps, so keep it reasonably short and readable.

If I change my device name, will my files or settings be affected?

No. Changing your device name only changes the label — it does not touch your files, photos, apps, settings, or any data on your device. Everything else stays exactly as it was.

Does my device name need to match my Apple ID name?

No. Your device name and Apple ID name are completely separate. You can have an Apple ID named "James Smith" and a device named "Kitchen iPad" — they do not need to match at all.