Change Your AirPods Name in Settings

You can rename your AirPods directly from your device's Bluetooth settings. The name you choose appears whenever you connect to that device, and you can use different names on different phones or computers if you want. The process takes about a minute and requires no special tools or apps.

On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings, then tap Bluetooth. Find your AirPods in the list of connected devices. Tap the information icon (a small circle with an "i") next to the AirPods name. At the top of the screen, you'll see the current name in a text field. Tap it, delete the old name, type your new one, and tap Done. The change takes effect when ready.

On a Mac, go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), then click Bluetooth. Find your AirPods in the list, click the three dots or gear icon next to them, and select Rename. Type the new name and press Enter. If you don't see a rename option, right-click directly on the AirPods name and look for Rename in the menu that appears.

Key Takeaways

  • You rename AirPods through your device's Bluetooth settings, not through the AirPods app or any special menu.
  • Each device you own can have a different name for the same AirPods, so you might call them "Gym AirPods" on your phone and "Work AirPods" on your Mac.
  • The name change happens when ready and doesn't affect how your AirPods work or their connection quality.
  • You can use any name up to 32 characters, including spaces, numbers, and most symbols.

Why You Might Want to Rename Your AirPods

If you own multiple pairs of AirPods or share devices with family members, renaming them makes it much easier to pick the right pair from the Bluetooth menu. Instead of seeing "AirPods Pro" or "AirPods Max" repeated three times, you could name them "Sarah's AirPods," "Gym Pair," or "Office Headphones." This is especially useful if you have AirPods Pro and regular AirPods, since the Bluetooth list shows them by model name alone.

Renaming also helps if you're troubleshooting connection problems and need to tell someone which pair you're using, or if you want to keep track of which AirPods you use for specific activities. Some people name them by location (Kitchen, Bedroom, Car) or by person (Mom's, Dad's, Kids').

What Happens When You Rename Your AirPods

The new name appears only on the device where you changed it. If you rename your AirPods on your iPhone, they'll still show as "AirPods Pro" on your Mac or iPad until you rename them there too. This means you can customize the name for each device based on how you use them.

The rename doesn't affect pairing, battery life, or any other function. Your AirPods will still connect to all your devices the same way, and you can switch between them without any issues. The name is purely for your own organization in the Bluetooth menu.

Renaming AirPods on Older Devices

If you're using an older iPhone, iPad, or Mac, the steps are slightly different but just as straightforward. On older iPhones running iOS 12 or earlier, go to Settings > Bluetooth, find your AirPods, tap the "i" icon, and look for a name field at the top. On very old Macs, you may need to go to System Preferences > Bluetooth, then right-click your AirPods and select Rename.

If you can't find a rename option on an older device, the simplest workaround is to forget the AirPods entirely and re-pair them with a custom name during setup. To forget them, go to Bluetooth settings, tap the "i" icon, and select Forget This Device. Then open the AirPods case near your device, and when the pairing screen appears, you'll have the option to name them before confirming the connection.

Renaming AirPods Max or AirPods Pro

AirPods Max and AirPods Pro use the same renaming process as regular AirPods — there's no special procedure for either model. The steps are identical whether you're renaming AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Pro 2, or AirPods Max. The only difference is the model name that appears in your Bluetooth list before you rename them.

If you have multiple generations of the same model (for example, two pairs of AirPods Pro), renaming them is the only way to tell them apart in your Bluetooth menu. You might name one "AirPods Pro (Original)" and the other "AirPods Pro 2" to keep track of which is which.

Troubleshooting Rename Issues

If you can't see the rename option, make sure your AirPods are connected to the device you're trying to rename them on. Disconnected AirPods sometimes don't show the full menu. Put your AirPods in your ears or in the case, wait a few seconds for them to connect, then try again.

If the name field appears but won't let you type, try closing the Settings app completely and reopening it. On Mac, restart the Bluetooth service by turning Bluetooth off and on again in System Settings. If you're still stuck, you can always forget the AirPods and re-pair them, which usually clears up any glitches with the naming process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my AirPods name from the AirPods app?

No. There is no AirPods app on iPhone or iPad. You must rename them through Bluetooth settings. On Mac, there is no dedicated AirPods app either. The only way to rename any AirPods model is through your device's Bluetooth menu.

Will renaming my AirPods change the name on all my devices?

No. Each device has its own name for the same AirPods. If you rename them on your iPhone, they keep their old name on your Mac, iPad, and any other device until you rename them there too. This lets you use different names depending on which device you're using.

What if I forget what I named my AirPods?

Open Bluetooth settings on the device where you renamed them. The current name appears in the list next to your AirPods. If you want to change it again, tap the "i" icon and edit the name field. You can rename them as many times as you want.

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

Most special characters work, but emojis usually don't appear correctly in the Bluetooth menu on all devices. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, and underscores for the clearest result. Names are limited to 32 characters total.

Does renaming my AirPods affect how they connect to my devices?

No. Renaming is purely cosmetic and changes only what appears in your Bluetooth menu. Connection quality, pairing, battery life, and all other functions remain exactly the same. You can rename them back to the original name anytime without any impact on performance.