iPhone (iOS) · System Info
Change how your iPhone identifies itself to other devices
The device name is what appears to others over AirDrop, Bluetooth pairing, and on the local Wi-Fi network, and can be personalized separately from the Apple ID name.
How to open iPhone Device Name
- Open Settings and tap General.
- Tap About, then tap Name.
- Clear the existing name and type a new one.
- Tap Done to save.
What you should know
- Found in Settings > General > About > Name.
- Defaults to a name based on the Apple ID or the phrase 'iPhone' during initial setup.
- Visible to nearby people during AirDrop transfers and to other devices during Bluetooth pairing.
- Also appears in Wi-Fi router device lists and in Find My for locating this specific device among others on the account.
Why it matters
A generic device name like 'iPhone' becomes ambiguous the moment a household or workplace has more than one, making it hard to tell devices apart in AirDrop sheets, paired Bluetooth lists, or Find My. A distinctive but non-identifying name, avoiding a full real name for strangers to see over AirDrop, strikes a balance between usability among people you know and privacy from strangers nearby. It's a small setting, but one that affects a surprisingly wide range of everyday interactions across Apple's ecosystem.
Best practices
- Choose a name that distinguishes the device without including a full real name, especially for AirDrop use in public.
- Update the name after buying a used iPhone so it doesn't still reflect the previous owner's naming choice.
- Keep names consistent across a household's devices, like 'Alex's iPhone,' to make sharing and pairing easier to navigate.
Common problems and fixes
- The old owner's name still shows after a factory reset.
- Rename the device manually in Settings > General > About > Name after setup, since a reset doesn't always change this.
- Multiple devices show as just 'iPhone' when sharing.
- Rename each device individually to something unique to avoid confusion during AirDrop or Bluetooth pairing.
Tips and tricks
- Renaming can also be done through the Files app or Finder/iTunes when the device is connected to a computer.
Frequently asked questions
Does changing the device name affect the Apple ID?
No, they are independent; changing one doesn't change the other.
Is the device name visible to everyone nearby at all times?
It's only broadcast during active discovery processes like an open AirDrop sheet or Bluetooth pairing mode, not continuously.
Related settings
- General & AboutThe About screen lists identifying and technical details about your iPhone — name, iOS version, model and serial numbers, storage capacity, and carrier information — that support staff and other apps often need.
- Control CenterControl Center gives you one-swipe access to frequently used toggles and shortcuts — Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, brightness, Flashlight, and more — and can be fully customized with the specific controls you personally rely on.
More System Info guides for iPhone (iOS)
- Date & TimeDate & Time settings normally keep your iPhone's clock accurate automatically using your current location and cellular network, but they can also be set manually and switched between 12-hour and 24-hour display.
- Legal & RegulatoryLegal & Regulatory, tucked under General, lists the legal notices, open-source license acknowledgments, and regulatory certification numbers (like FCC ID) tied to your specific iPhone model.
- CarrierThe Carrier entry (and the Carrier section under General → About) shows which cellular carrier your SIM or eSIM is currently registered with, along with the installed Carrier Settings update version.
- System Diagnostics InfoThe About screen under General is the definitive source for an iPhone's exact model name/number, serial number, IMEI/MEID, modem firmware version, and other identifiers often needed for support, insurance, or trade-in.
- Model, Serial Number & IMEISettings > General > About lists the exact model name and number, serial number, and IMEI/MEID identifiers needed for warranty checks, carrier activation, and insurance claims.
- Certificate Trust SettingsCertificate Trust Settings lets users enable or disable full trust for root certificates that were manually installed via a configuration profile, separate from Apple's built-in trusted certificate list.