How to Change Your iPhone's Name

This article explains how to change your iPhone's name to something other than the name entered when you set up the device. Instructions cover iPhones with iOS 11 or later.

How to Change the iPhone Name on the iPhone

You can change your iPhone name directly on the phone by following these steps:

1. On the iPhone Home screen, tap Settings.

2. Select General.

3. Tap About.

4. Tap Name.

5. Tap the x next to the current name.

6. Type in a new name. Whatever you enter is automatically saved.

7. Return to the Home screen to keep using your iPhone with its new name.

How to Change an iPhone Name Using iTunes

If you sync your iPhone with iTunes, you can also change your iPhone's name using that program. Here's how:

1. Connect your iPhone to the computer you normally sync it to. Open iTunes if it doesn't open automatically.

2. In the upper-left corner, select the iPhone icon to go to the iPhone management screen.

3. In the left pane, select the name of your iPhone.

4. In the field with the old name, enter the new iPhone name you prefer.

5. ITunes automatically re-syncs the phone and saves the new iPhone name.

   These steps work for iPads and iPod touch devices, too.

Where You See Your iPhone Name

You won't see your iPhone name too often, and the name doesn't affect how you use the phone. The only instances in which you're likely to see the iPhone name include:

• Syncing in iTunes. You see the name of your iPhone whenever you sync with iTunes.
• Connecting to Personal Hotspot. This might be the most common reason to rename your iPhone. When you or others try to connect to your iPhone's Personal Hotspot feature, you do it using the name of your iPhone. If you commute regularly and use the feature, you've probably seen other people who have given their iPhone amusing names—"FBI Surveillance Van" seems to be a common one.
• Using Find My iPhone. If you need to use Find My iPhone to track a lost or stolen device, select the phone's name to track it.
• Using AirDrop. When someone is sending you a file via AirDrop and your name isn't in their Contacts list, they'll see your iPhone name.
• Viewing Apple ID Online. If you're looking at your online Apple ID account, you'll see a list of all the active devices associated with your Apple ID. These devices each list their name.