When you first purchased your new iPhone or Android phone — or other mobile device — it came with a generic name, which likely mirrors the device itself. If you have multiple devices or if you want to give your phone a more personal touch, you can rename it whatever you want. There’s always a time when you’re trying to connect your phone to a Bluetooth device, but the names on the availability list are indistinguishable. Naming your device is a good idea because it eliminates ambiguity over which device you are handling at any given time. Here’s how to do it with both iOS and Android.
Change your iPhone name
Your iPhone’s default name is iPhone. So it’s likely you’ll want to change the name of your iPhone to avoid confusion and distinguish it from all the other iPhones of the same name — especially if you or family members have purchased multiple handsets. And because services like Find My and iCloud also identify devices by name, it’s useful to know which iPhone is which.
Changing your iPhone name requires a couple of easy steps. This example uses iOS 13, though the steps should work the same way for every iPhone.
- On your device, go to Settings > General, then tap About.
- Tap the first line, which shows the name of your device.
- Rename your device, and tap Done.
Change your Android phone name
Changing your Android phone’s name may be a bit more ambiguous, depending on your phone model and the Android operating system it uses. It’s safe to say that the vast majority of phone name changes start with Settings. The following sequence uses a Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus running Android 10, but most other Android smartphones should be similar. All you have to do is open Settings. Look for About Phone, and select Edit. You can then enter a new name for your phone and confirm it by selecting Done. There is a limit on the number of characters you can use, but you should have enough room for the name you picked.
As another example, here’s how to change the name of a Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ running Android 6.0.1.
Tap the following sequence: Settings > Quick settings >About device >Device name. Alternatively, you can go to System instead of Quick settings, and it will take you to the same place.
We recommend giving your smartphone a new name that distinguishes it as uniquely yours. Renaming your phone is a smart idea for security reasons in case you lose it or leave it somewhere and need to reclaim it. It also helps you discern your phone from the many devices you and your family members use around the house. There is no downside to changing your smartphone’s name, and you can always mix things up over time.
We have covered a tiny fraction out of the countless ways you can personalize your smartphone. For more fun tweaks, check out our guides on the most useful tips and tricks for iOS 13 and Android 10.
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