What AirDrop shows when you send files

AirDrop displays your device name to people nearby when you send or receive files. On iPhone and iPad, this is usually "FirstName's iPhone" or "FirstName's iPad". On Mac, it shows your computer name. When someone receives a file from you through AirDrop, they see this name in their notification and in their AirDrop history.

Changing this name is straightforward and takes less than a minute. The steps differ slightly between iPhone, iPad, and Mac, but the principle is the same: you are editing your device name in the Settings or System Preferences, and AirDrop automatically uses whatever name you set there.

Key Takeaways

  • Your AirDrop name comes from your device name, which you can change in Settings on iPhone and iPad or in System Preferences on Mac.
  • 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 Preferences, click General, and change the computer name in the field labeled "Computer Name".
  • The new name takes effect when ready and will appear to other people the next time you use AirDrop.
  • You can use any name you want — it does not have to include your real name or the word "iPhone".

Changing your AirDrop name on iPhone and iPad

Open the Settings app and tap General. At the top of the screen, you will see a blue section with your device name — usually something like "Sarah's iPhone" or "James's iPad". Tap directly on that name to edit it.

A text field will appear with your current name highlighted. Delete the existing text and type the new name you want. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation. Tap Done when you are finished. The change takes effect when ready.

The next time you use AirDrop to send a file, the recipient will see your new name instead of the old one. If you are receiving files, your device will still appear under the new name in other people's AirDrop menus.

Changing your AirDrop name on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Preferences (on older Macs) or System Settings (on newer Macs running Monterey or later). Then click General.

Look for the field labeled Computer Name near the top of the window. Click on it and type your new name. Press Enter to save the change. Your Mac will update its AirDrop name when ready.

If you do not see a Computer Name field, your Mac may be running an older version of macOS. In that case, open System Preferences, click Sharing, and change the name in the field at the top labeled Computer Name.

What name to choose

You can set your AirDrop name to anything you want. Many people use their first name, a nickname, or a combination like "Sarah's Work Mac". Some people prefer a generic name like "My iPhone" or "Home iPad" to avoid sharing their real name with strangers.

Keep in mind that anyone nearby with AirDrop turned on will see this name when you send them a file. If you are in a public place and want privacy, a generic name is a better choice than your full name. You can always change it again later if you want.

When the change takes effect

The new name is active as soon as you save it. You do not need to restart your device or turn AirDrop off and back on. If you are currently in the middle of an AirDrop transfer, the name will update for the next transfer.

Other people's devices will see the new name the next time they look at their AirDrop menu or receive a file from you. They do not need to do anything on their end — the change is automatic.

Troubleshooting if the name does not change

If you changed the name but it still shows the old one, make sure you tapped Done on iPhone or iPad, or pressed Enter on Mac. Sometimes the change does not save if you close Settings or System Preferences without confirming.

If the name still has not updated after a few minutes, try turning AirDrop off and back on. On iPhone and iPad, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, long-press the network card in the top-left, and tap AirDrop to toggle it. On Mac, click the AirDrop icon in Finder's sidebar, then click Allow Me to Be Discovered to turn it back on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my device name affect anything else besides AirDrop?

Yes. Your device name also appears in Bluetooth settings, on your Wi-Fi network, and in iCloud. Changing it will update all of these places. If you are connected to a shared network or Bluetooth device, the new name will show there too.

Can I have different names for AirDrop and Bluetooth?

No. AirDrop uses your device name, and you cannot set a separate name just for AirDrop. If you want different names for different purposes, you would need to change your device name each time, which is not practical.

What if I want to hide my real name from AirDrop?

Set your device name to something that does not include your real name, like "iPhone" or "Work Device". You can also turn off AirDrop entirely in Control Center on iPhone and iPad, or in System Preferences on Mac, if you do not plan to use it.

Will people I have already sent files to see the new name?

No. The old name will remain in their AirDrop history for files you sent before the change. Only new files you send after the change will show your new name.