How To Change AirDrop Name On IPhone, IPad, & Mac (2022)

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How to Change Your AirDrop Name & What to Do If You Can't Change It

By Olena Kagui October 10, 2023 Updated October 10, 2023 checkmark-shield icon Editorial Ethics Olena Kagui profile image

By Olena Kagui October 10, 2023 Updated October 10, 2023 Get iPhone Tips content icon Table of Contents chevron-down icon

What to Know

To change the AirDrop name on Mac or to change your iPad AirDrop name, just rename your iPad or Mac in Settings.
Changing your iPhone name will not change your iPhone AirDrop name for your contacts.
To change your AirDrop name on iPhone, go to Contacts and add your new AirDrop name to your contact card.

How do you change your AirDrop name? It’s easy and only takes a few seconds but will differ slightly between your Apple devices. You can change your AirDrop name to something more personalized to help you easily distinguish between devices. Below, we'll cover how to change your AirDrop name on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

How to Change Your AirDrop Name on iPhone

If you're already in the receiver's contacts and you've tried to change your AirDrop name by changing your iPhone name in Settings, you've probably noticed that your iPhone AirDrop name remains unchanged. Here's why changing your AirDrop name didn't work and what to do instead: While changing your device name works for your Mac and iPad, your iPhone AirDrop name is linked to your contacts. So to change the AirDrop name on an iPhone, you'll actually need to change the name listed in your contact card. Here's how to change AirDrop name on your iPhone:

Open the Contacts app.
Tap your contact card.
Tap Edit.
Enter your new AirDrop name in the fields to update how your name is listed.
Tap Done to save your changes.

Note: The steps above are only applicable if the person sending you photos or files over AirDrop already has your contact card saved. For iPhones that don't have your contact saved, changing your iPhone name is enough.

That's how to change your AirDrop name on iPhone! You will now see the updated name when AirDropping files. Just keep in mind that when you change the name in your contact card, this will also be the name displayed if you share your contact card with a new acquaintance. To learn more about your Apple device features and handy shortcuts, like how to silence contacts, sign up for our free Tip of the Day Newsletter.

How to Change AirDrop Name on iPad

If you want to know how to change AirDrop name on your iPad, you can do so by simply changing your iPad device name. Just keep in mind that changing your iPad device name will also change the name displayed on Wi-Fi networks, in Find My, and when you connect your iPad to your computer. Here's how to change your AirDrop name on your iPad:

Open the Settings app and tap General.
Tap About.
Tap Name.
Type the new AirDrop name.

You will now see the new name of your iPad when AirDropping files!

How to Change AirDrop Name on Mac

As someone who owns several MacBooks and works with other MacBook owners, it can be confusing to figure out which MacBook I am AirDropping files to. Luckily, it is easy to change your MacBook name, so you can easily distinguish between devices when trying to AirDrop a file. Here's how to change the AirDrop name on your Mac:

Click the Apple icon in the top-left of your screen.
Select System Settings.
Click General.
Click About.
Click Name.
Type a new name for your Mac. Your changes will save automatically.

Note: You may need to restart your Mac before the new AirDrop name takes effect.

Now you know how to change the AirDrop name displayed on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Just remember that changing your AirDrop name can also change how your device is listed in other places, so this will be the name of your device on Find My and everywhere else as well.

FAQ

How do I find my AirDrop name? On your Mac and iPad your AirDrop name is the same as your device name, which you can see by going to general settings and tapping About. Your iPhone Airdrop name is the name on your contact card.

Why can’t I change my AirDrop name? Because changing the name of your iPhone will not change your iPhone AirDrop name for people who have your contact saved. You have to change your contact information.

How do I change my AirDrop picture? If you follow the steps above for how to change AirDrop name on iPhone, once you reach step 4, you can simply tap your profile picture to edit it. This picture will be used for AirDrop.

How do I change AirDrop Settings? Go to Settings > General > AirDrop to change your AirDrop settings.

How to turn off AirDrop? If you no longer wish to recieve photos or files over AirDrop, you can turn it off. Simply open the Control Center, tap the upper left control group, tap the AirDrop icon, and tap Receiving Off.

written by

Olena Kagui

Olena Kagui is a Feature Writer at iPhone Life. In the last 10 years, she has been published in dozens of publications internationally and won an excellence award. Since joining iPhone Life in 2020, she has written how-to articles as well as complex guides about Apple products, software, and apps. Olena grew up using Macs and exploring all the latest tech. Her Maui home is the epitome of an Apple ecosystem, full of compatible smart gear to boot. Olena’s favorite device is the Apple Watch Ultra because it can survive all her adventures and travels, and even her furbabies.

Learn about Olena