What "your name on your phone" means and why it matters
Your phone stores your name in two separate places, and changing one does not change the other. The first is your device name — the label that appears when you connect to Wi-Fi, pair with Bluetooth speakers, or back up to cloud storage. The second is your account name — the profile tied to your Apple ID, Google Account, or Samsung account. If you want your phone to show a different name to other people or devices, you need to know which one to change.
Most people need to change their device name when they buy a used phone, set up a new device, or want their phone to show something other than "John's iPhone" on shared networks. Your account name matters less often, but changing it affects how your cloud backups, app purchases, and recovery options are labeled.
Key Takeaways
- Your device name (what shows on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) and your account name (tied to your Apple ID or Google Account) are separate and require different steps to change.
- On iPhone, change your device name in Settings under General, then About; on Android, go to Settings, then About Phone, then Device Name.
- Changing your account name requires logging into your Apple ID or Google Account settings, not your phone's Settings app.
- Your device name can be anything you want and takes effect when ready; your account name change may take a few hours to appear everywhere.
How to change your device name on iPhone
Open Settings and tap General. Scroll down and tap About. At the top of the About screen, you will see "Name" with your current device name next to it. Tap on the name field, delete the existing text, and type the new name you want. Tap Done in the keyboard. The change takes effect when ready.
Your new device name will now appear when you connect to Wi-Fi networks, pair with Bluetooth devices like headphones or car stereos, and show up in iCloud backups. Other people on the same Wi-Fi network will see this name if they look at connected devices, so choose something you do not mind others seeing.
How to change your device name on Android
Open Settings and scroll to find About Phone (the exact location varies by manufacturer — Samsung, Google Pixel, and others place it differently, but it is always in Settings). Tap About Phone, then look for Device Name or Phone Name. Tap the field, clear the current name, and type your new one. Tap Save or OK.
On some Android phones, the option may be under Settings > System > About Phone > Device Name or Settings > Device Information > Device Name. If you cannot find it in About Phone, use your phone's search function: open Settings, tap the search icon at the top, and type "device name." The change takes effect right away.
How to change your Apple ID name
If you want to change the name associated with your Apple ID account itself, you cannot do it from your phone's Settings app. Go to appleid.apple.com on any web browser, sign in with your Apple ID and password, and click Personal Information. You will see your first and last name. Click Edit, change the names, and click Save.
This change affects how your name appears in the App Store, in iCloud, and to other people who look you up by your Apple ID. It does not change your device name — that remains whatever you set it to in Settings > General > About. The name change may take a few hours to show up everywhere Apple uses it.
How to change your Google Account name
Open a web browser and go to myaccount.google.com. Sign in if needed, then click Personal info on the left side. Click Name, edit your first and last name, and click Save. This changes how your name appears in Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube, and other Google services.
Like Apple ID changes, this does not affect your Android device name. Your device name stays what you set it to in Settings > About Phone > Device Name. The Google Account name change usually appears within a few hours but can take longer in some services.
What happens when you change your device name
When you change your device name, it when ready shows up on Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth devices you connect to. If you have already paired your phone with a car stereo, smart speaker, or other Bluetooth device, that device may still show the old name until you forget and re-pair it. To force an update, go to your Bluetooth device's settings, forget or unpair your phone, then pair it again.
Your cloud backups will use the new device name going forward. If you back up to iCloud or Google Drive, the backup will be labeled with your new device name. Old backups keep their original names, but new ones use the updated name.
Common reasons to change your device name
If you bought a used phone, it may still have the previous owner's name. Changing the device name removes that label and makes the phone feel like yours. If you set up a new phone and the automatic name (often something like "iPhone 15 Pro" or "Pixel 8") is not descriptive enough, you can change it to something like "Work Phone" or "Home iPad" to keep track of multiple devices.
Some people change their device name for privacy — instead of showing "Sarah's iPhone" on public Wi-Fi networks, they use something generic like "iPhone" or "Device." Others use their device name to identify which phone belongs to which family member when multiple devices are on the same network.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use special characters or emojis in my device name?
Most phones allow letters, numbers, spaces, and hyphens. Emojis and special characters like @ or # may not work or may cause problems with some Bluetooth devices or networks. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, and hyphens to avoid connection issues.
If I change my device name, will my apps and data be affected?
No. Changing your device name does not touch your apps, photos, messages, or any other data. It only changes the label your phone uses on networks and Bluetooth connections. All your data stays exactly where it is.
Why does my Bluetooth device still show the old name after I changed it?
The Bluetooth device has a memory of your phone's old name. Go into that device's Bluetooth settings, forget or unpair your phone, then pair it again. It will now recognize the new name.
Is changing my device name the same as changing my account name?
No. Your device name is just a label for your phone on networks. Your account name (Apple ID or Google Account) is tied to your online services, purchases, and backups. You can change one without changing the other.
What if I cannot find the device name option on my Android phone?
Try opening Settings and using the search function at the top — type "device name" and it should take you directly to the right place. If that does not work, check your phone manufacturer's support site, as some phones hide this option in different locations.