To change your iPhone’s device name, open Settings > General > About > Name, clear the current name, type a new one, and tap Done. The new name shows up right away for AirDrop, Bluetooth, your Personal Hotspot, Find My, and on your computer. The steps are the same on the iPhone 14 and every other iPhone running a recent iOS version.
Quick Answer
Settings > General > About > Name, type a new name, and tap Done.
Change Your iPhone’s Name
- Open Settings and tap General.
- Tap About.
- Tap Name at the top.
- Tap the x to clear the old name and type the new one.
- Tap Done. The name saves automatically.
Where the Name Appears
| Place | What people see |
|---|---|
| AirDrop | The name nearby people see when sharing |
| Personal Hotspot | The Wi-Fi network name other devices join |
| Bluetooth | The name on cars, speakers, and computers |
| Find My and iCloud | The device name in your Apple Account device list |
| Computer | The name in Finder or the Apple Devices app |
Rename It From a Computer
- Mac: Connect the iPhone, select it in Finder, click its name at the top, and type a new one.
- Windows: Connect the iPhone, open the Apple Devices app (or iTunes), select the device, and click its name to edit it.
Tips for Choosing a Name
- Avoid your full name if you use AirDrop or Personal Hotspot in public places.
- Make it easy to tell devices apart, such as “Sam’s iPhone 14” and “Sam’s iPad.”
- Emoji work, but some cars and older Bluetooth devices show them as boxes.
Tidying up your iPhone? Here’s how to get the Contacts icon back on your Home Screen.
The same name is used for your hotspot. See how to change the hotspot name on iPhone.
Troubleshooting
- The old name still shows on another device: Turn Bluetooth off and on, or forget the iPhone on the other device and pair again.
- Hotspot name didn’t change: Turn Personal Hotspot off and back on.
- Can’t edit the name: A Screen Time or work profile restriction may block changes. Check Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions, or ask your organization.
- Name changed by itself: This can happen after restoring from a backup of another iPhone. Rename it again.
Apple’s guide to changing your iPhone’s name confirms the steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing the name affect my Apple Account or backups?
No. Backups and data stay the same. Only the label changes.
Can I change my name for iMessage instead?
That’s a different setting. Go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Share Name and Photo.
Summary
- Open Settings > General > About > Name.
- Type a new name and tap Done.
- Toggle Bluetooth or Hotspot if other devices still show the old name.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.