If you’re trying to AirDrop a file and see a bunch of vague names like “iPhone” or “John’s iPhone,” it can be hard to tell which device is actually yours — especially in a crowded place or shared workspace. Changing your AirDrop name makes it easier for you and others to quickly identify your iPhone during transfers. Here’s how to do it on the iPhone 14.
Change Your iPhone’s Name (This Is Your AirDrop Name Too)
AirDrop uses your iPhone’s device name, so changing that will also change what people see when they try to AirDrop something to you.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap General.
- Select About.
- Tap Name.
- Enter the new name you want to use (like “Sarah’s iPhone 14” or “iPhone 14 Pro – Work”).
- Tap Done on the keyboard.
That’s it — this new name will now show up for AirDrop, hotspot connections, and when connecting your iPhone to other devices.
Check If the Name Change Updated for AirDrop
After renaming your iPhone:
- Ask someone nearby to open their AirDrop sharing panel and look for your new name.
- If you don’t see it right away, try toggling AirDrop off and on again:
Go to Settings > General > AirDrop and switch to Receiving Off, then turn it back to Everyone or Contacts Only.
Bonus Tip: Set Different Names for Multiple Devices
If you have multiple Apple devices like an iPad or Mac, make sure each one has a unique name:
- On Mac: Go to System Settings > General > About and edit the Name field.
- On iPad: Go to Settings > General > About > Name and update it just like on iPhone.
That way, you won’t accidentally send files to the wrong device.