Why you might want to change your device name

Your device name is the label that appears when you connect to Wi-Fi networks, when other devices search for yours on Bluetooth, and sometimes in your router's list of connected devices. By default, manufacturers assign names like "iPhone-7A2B" or "DESKTOP-ABC123" — generic strings that don't tell you anything useful about which device is which.

Changing it to something you recognize — like "Priya's Laptop" or "Kitchen Tablet" — makes your own life easier when you're managing multiple devices. It also makes it slightly harder for strangers on a public network to guess what kind of device you're using or build a profile of your habits. A device named "iPhone 14 Pro Max" tells someone more than one named "Kitchen Device" does.

The trade-off is that a custom name can make your device more identifiable to people who already know you — if you name it "Priya's Work MacBook," anyone on your office network will know it's yours. For most people at home, this is not a real concern. On public networks, a generic or vague name is slightly safer than a descriptive one.

Key Takeaways

  • Device names appear on Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth searches, so changing yours from the default makes it easier to identify your own devices.
  • On Windows, you change the device name in Settings under System > About, then restart your computer for the change to take effect.
  • On Mac, go to System Settings > General > About and click Edit next to the computer name field.
  • On iPhone and iPad, open Settings > General > About and tap the name field to edit it directly.
  • On Android, the process varies by manufacturer, but usually lives in Settings > About Phone or Settings > Device Information.

How to change your device name on Windows

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the app that appears. Go to System in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click About. You'll see a section labeled "Device name" with your current name displayed.

Click the Rename this PC button. A dialog box will appear with a text field containing your current device name. Delete the existing text and type the new name you want. Device names can include letters, numbers, and hyphens, but not spaces or special characters like @ or #. Click Next, then Rename to confirm.

Windows will ask you to restart your computer for the change to take effect. You can restart when ready or delay it until later, but the new name won't show up on networks until you do restart. After the restart, your device will appear under the new name on Wi-Fi networks and when other devices search for it.

How to change your device name on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click General in the sidebar, then click About. At the top of the window, you'll see "Computer Name" with your current device name.

Click the Edit button next to the computer name. A text field will become editable. Delete the current name and type the new one. Mac names can include letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation, though some special characters may cause issues with network visibility. Click Done to save the change.

The change takes effect when ready on your Mac. Your device will appear under the new name the next time it connects to a Wi-Fi network or when other devices search for it on Bluetooth. You do not need to restart.

How to change your device name on iPhone and iPad

Open the Settings app and tap General. Scroll down and tap About. At the top of the screen, you'll see "Name" with your current device name — usually something like "Sarah's iPhone" or "iPad Pro."

Tap the name field directly. The keyboard will appear and the current name will be highlighted. Delete it and type the new name you want. Tap Done in the top-right corner of the keyboard to save. The change takes effect when ready and will show up on Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth searches right away.

How to change your device name on Android

The exact location varies depending on your phone's manufacturer and Android version, but the process is similar across devices. Open Settings and look for a section called About Phone, About Device, or Device Information. On Samsung phones, this is usually under Settings > About Phone. On Google Pixel phones, it's Settings > About Phone. On other brands, check the main Settings menu or search for "device name" in Settings.

Once you find the About section, look for a field labeled Device Name, Phone Name, or Bluetooth Name. Tap it to edit. Delete the current name and type the new one, then tap Save or OK. The change takes effect when ready on most Android devices.

If you cannot find the device name setting in your About section, try opening Settings > Connected Devices > Bluetooth and look for your device name there — some Android phones let you rename the device from the Bluetooth settings instead.

What happens after you change your device name

Once you've changed the name, it will appear under the new label on any Wi-Fi network you connect to. If you open your router's admin page (usually by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a web browser), you'll see your device listed under the new name instead of the old one. Other people on the same Wi-Fi network can see this name, so avoid including personal information like your full name or address.

The new name will also show up when other devices search for yours via Bluetooth. If you're pairing a speaker or smartwatch to your phone, for example, the phone will appear under its new name in the Bluetooth search list. This makes it easier to identify which device is yours if multiple people are pairing devices at the same time.

Changing the device name does not affect your data, passwords, or security settings. It is purely a label for identification. You can change it back to the original name or to something else at any time using the same steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

On Mac and iPhone, yes — spaces and most punctuation work fine. On Windows, you can use spaces but not special characters like @, #, or &. On Android, spaces usually work but some special characters may cause issues. If you're unsure, stick to letters, numbers, and hyphens.

Will changing my device name affect my Wi-Fi connection?

No. Your device name is separate from your Wi-Fi password or network settings. You'll stay connected to the same networks with the same passwords. The name change only affects how your device appears to other devices and networks.

Do I need to change my device name for security reasons?

Not required, but a generic or vague name offers slightly more privacy on public networks than a descriptive one. A name like "Device" or "Tablet" reveals less than "John's iPhone 15 Pro Max." At home on your own network, the security difference is minimal.

What if I forget what I named my device?

You can always check by going back to the same settings location where you changed it. On Windows, that's Settings > System > About. On Mac, it's System Settings > General > About. On iPhone, it's Settings > General > About. The current name will be displayed there.

Can other people see my device name on public Wi-Fi?

Yes. Anyone connected to the same Wi-Fi network can see your device name in their available networks list or in the router's connected devices page if they have access to it. This is why avoiding personal details in your device name is a good practice on networks you don't control.