How to Change iPhone Name in 30 Seconds ( Fix It When It Will Not Update)

September 28, 2026

You can change your iPhone name in 30 seconds through the Apple Support guide by going to Settings > General > About > Name, entering a new name, and tapping Done.

Steps to Change Your iPhone Name

Open the Settings app on your iPhone
Tap General.
Tap About.
Tap Name at the top of the screen.
Delete the old name using the clear button or keyboard.
Type your new [iPhone Name, (index:0.6.3].
Tap Done on your keyboard to save.

How to Fix It When It Will Not Update

If your new name does not show up on other devices or connected services, try these fixes:

Restart both devices: Turn your iPhone and the connecting device (like a Mac, PC, or Bluetooth speaker) off and back on.
Toggle Bluetooth/Wi-Fi: Turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi in Settings, wait 10 seconds, and turn them back on to refresh local device discovery.
Force restart your iPhone: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, press and quickly release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side/Power button until you see the Apple logo.
Rename via computer: Connect your iPhone to a Mac using Finder (or a PC with iTunes), select your device in the sidebar, click the device name at the top to edit it, and click Sync.

Pro Tip

Rename your iPhone before you first use a public hotspot, an airport AirDrop or a shared workspace. The default name often contains your real first name, which tells strangers exactly who owns the device.

That is the whole process, but the name shows up in more places than most people realise, and sometimes the old name refuses to disappear. This guide covers the quick steps, every place your iPhone name appears, and the fixes for a name that will not update.

Where Your iPhone Name Appears

Knowing this helps you choose a name you are comfortable sharing.

Personal Hotspot: other people see it as the WiFi network name when they connect to your hotspot.
AirDrop: people who are not in your contacts can see your device name when you are discoverable.
Bluetooth: it appears in the Bluetooth lists of your car, speakers and laptop.
Find My and your Apple Account: it labels the device in your list of devices.
Mac and PC: it shows up in Finder or iTunes when you plug in your iPhone.

If you pair earbuds with a laptop often, you may also like our guide on how to connect AirPods to laptop setups, where the device name matters.

iPhone Name vs Apple Account Name

These are two separate settings, and mixing them up is a common mistake.

iPhone name: the label for the device. Change it in Settings, General, About, Name.
Apple Account name: the name attached to your Apple Account, used in Messages and FaceTime. Change it in Settings, tap your name at the top, then open the Personal Information or Name section, depending on your iOS version.
Contact card name: what your contacts see. Edit it in your own contact card in the Contacts app.
AirPods name: open Settings, tap your AirPods, tap the name and rename them.

How to Choose a Good iPhone Name

Skip your full name. Anyone nearby can see it on a public hotspot or AirDrop list.
Use something short so it fits in car screens and Bluetooth menus.
If you own several devices, add the type and a number so you can tell them apart in Find My.
If you run a team, use a naming pattern such as the department and a number. Businesses that use iPhone rental for businesses often name each handset this way so staff and IT can identify it quickly.

Why Your iPhone Name Will Not Change or Update

The hotspot still shows the old name

Turn Personal Hotspot off and on again. On the other device, forget the old network and reconnect.

The car or speaker still shows the old name

Bluetooth remembers old names. In your iPhone Bluetooth settings, tap the info icon next to the car and choose Forget This Device. Remove the iPhone from the car menu as well, then pair again.

AirDrop or Finder shows the old name

Switch WiFi and Bluetooth off and on, or restart the iPhone. On a Mac, unplug and reconnect the cable so Finder refreshes.

The name is locked or keeps reverting

A work or school iPhone can have its name controlled by the organisation. Devices managed this way follow rules set by IT, which is explained in our article on MDM for rented devices. Ask the administrator to change it.

Nothing works

Restart your iPhone, install the latest iOS update and try again.

Rename Before You Sell, Gift or Return an iPhone

Your device name can identify you to the next owner, so reset the phone properly first. Follow our guide to factory reset an iPhone, which also covers the case where you forgot the passcode. Remove the device from your Apple Account list at the same time.

Naming a Fleet of Rented iPhones and iPads

If you hire devices for a conference, a training week or a marketing campaign, a clear naming pattern saves hours. Give every device a name that shows its job and number, such as Registration 01 or Stand 04, so staff and your IT contact can find the right one in Find My, AirDrop and the hotspot list.

Before you hand rented devices to your team:

Rename each one in Settings, General, About, Name
Keep names free of personal details, because rented devices are handed back
Ask your rental company to pre name devices before delivery

Want to send files quickly after renaming? Learn how to scan on your iPhone and share the result. Another quick privacy step is to withhold number on iPhone when you make calls. Once your device has a clear name, you can also learn how to edit videos on iPhone and AirDrop them to friends in seconds.

Need iPhones or iPads for Your Team?

Need multiple devices for an event, training programme, exhibition or temporary team? Hire Tablets supplies iPhones and iPads for short-term business use across the UK, helping you avoid the cost and administration of purchasing devices for a temporary requirement.

Choose the number of devices and rental period that suits your project, with options for configured equipment and nationwide delivery. Explore our tablet rental in London options or read about iPad hire UK costs when planning your requirements. Contact Hire Tablets for a quote for your event, project or business team.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my iPhone name change my Apple Account name?

No. The iPhone name only labels the device. Your Apple Account name is a separate setting that you edit at the top of Settings.

Does changing the name also change my hotspot name?

Yes. Personal Hotspot uses your iPhone name as its WiFi network name, so people will see the new name the next time they scan for networks.

Can other people see my iPhone name?

They can when you use AirDrop with people outside your contacts, when you run a hotspot and when your Bluetooth is discoverable. That is why a nickname is safer than your full name.

Why is the Name option not letting me edit?

Managed devices can have the name locked by an administrator. If the phone is personal, restart it and update iOS, then try again.

Does the name change on my iPad the same way?

Yes. Go to Settings, General, About and tap Name on an iPad too.

Will renaming my iPhone affect backups or apps?

No. Your backups, apps and settings stay exactly the same.

Can I rename a rented iPhone or iPad?

Usually yes, unless the rental company manages the device and locks the name. For events and teams it is better to ask for devices to be named before delivery, so each one is easy to identify.