How To Rename Your Apple Products So You Can Tell Them Apart

Having multiple Apple devices can be a challenge when it comes to organisation. Renaming your Apple products helps you easily identify each one, enhancing your user experience. In this article, we’ll explore why renaming your devices is beneficial, the default names they start with, and a step-by-step guide on how to rename your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch.

Why Rename Your Apple Products?

Renaming your Apple devices provides several advantages. Personalisation allows you to add a personal touch to your devices with custom names. It also enhances organisation, making it easier to differentiate between multiple devices. Convenience is another benefit, as managing devices in iCloud, AirDrop, and Bluetooth becomes simpler. Moreover, unique names improve security by making it harder for unauthorised users to access your devices.

How to Rename Your Devices

iPhone

You can easily rename your iPhone through the Settings app. By default, iPhones are named after their model, such as “iPhone 13.”

How to Rename Your iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to General.
3. Tap on About.
4. Tap on the Name field.
5. Enter the new name for your iPhone.
6. Tap Done to save the changes.

iPad

To rename your iPad, simply go to the Settings app. iPads usually start with the model name, like “iPad Pro.”

How to Rename Your iPad:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to General.
3. Tap on About.
4. Select the Name field.
5. Enter your desired name.
6. Tap Done to confirm.

Apple Watch

It’s easy to change the name on your Apple Watch using the Watch app on your iPhone. The default name on Apple Watch is the users name and the model, like “John’s Apple Watch”.

How to Rename Your Apple Watch:

1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
2. Go to the My Watch tab.
3. Tap on General.
4. Select About.
5. Tap on the Name field.
6. Enter the new name for your Apple Watch.
7. Tap Done to save the changes.

AirPods

It’s easy to change the name of your AirPods using your iPhone or iPad. The default name for AirPods is the user’s name followed by “AirPods”, like “John’s AirPods.”

How to Rename Your AirPods:

1. Open your charging case.
2. With your AirPods in your ears and connected to your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth. Alternatively, you can go to Settings > [your AirPods].
3. Tap the More Info button next to your AirPods.
4. Tap the current name.
5. Enter a new name for your AirPods.
6. Tap Done to save the changes.

Renaming Your Mac

Renaming your Mac is straightforward via System Preferences or System Settings. Macs are typically named with the user’s name followed by the model, for example, “John’s MacBook Pro.”

How to Rename Your Mac:

1. Click on the Apple menu () and select System Preferences.
2. Choose Sharing.
3. In the Computer Name field, enter the new name.
4. Close the window to save your changes.

Change Your Computer’s Local Hostname

The local hostname, or local network name, is displayed at the bottom of the Sharing settings window. It identifies your Mac to Bonjour-compatible services. The local hostname is your computer’s name with .local added, and any spaces are replaced with hyphens. For example, if your computer’s name is My Computer, your local hostname is My-Computer.local. Local hostnames aren’t case sensitive, so my-computer.local is the same as My-Computer.local.

On your Mac, choose the Apple menu () > System Settings, click General in the sidebar, then click Sharing on the right. (You may need to scroll down.) Click Edit in the “Local hostname” section at the bottom of the window, then enter a new local hostname. If needed, turn on the “Use dynamic global hostname” option. See Use a dynamic global hostname. Click OK.

If your Mac has the exact name of another Mac on your local network, a number is added to the local network name. If your computer name is not recognised by Bonjour, the local network name is Macintosh.local.

Additional Tips

Using a consistent naming convention across all your devices ensures each name includes clear identifiers such as location or usage, for example, naming your devices by name, area used, and product such as “John’s Home iPad” or “Office MacBook Pro.” Regularly update these names if the primary use of the device changes or if ownership is transferred.

Simple Way To Personalise Your Devices

Renaming your iPhone, Mac, iPad and other devices is a simple way to manage and personalise your collection. With these steps, you can easily rename your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch, ensuring each device stands out.