How to Change Your AirDrop Name

Open Settings to General > About to edit how your device appears to others in AirDrop

By
Sam Costello
Sam Costello
Sam Costello
Writer
  • Ithaca College
Sam Costello has been writing about tech since 2000. His writing has appeared in publications such as CNN.com, PC World, InfoWord, and many others.
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Updated on April 9, 2024
Reviewed by
Jessica Kormos
Jessica Kormos
Reviewed by Jessica Kormos
  • Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Jessica Kormos is a writer and editor with 15 years' experience writing articles, copy, and UX content for Tecca.com, Rosenfeld Media, and many others.
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What to Know

  • iPhone & iPad: Go to Settings > General > About > Name. Erase the current name and type a new one.
  • Mac: From the Apple menu, select System Settings > General > About. Edit the Name text.

This article explains how to change your AirDrop ID on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. You can edit your AirDrop name at any time and as often as you like.

How to Change Your Name in AirDrop on iPhone or iPad

The setting for how you're identified when you're sharing with AirDrop is identical on iOS and iPadOS. This process changes the name of your device. Here's how it works:

  1. Tap Settings.

    iPad home screen with Settings highlighted

  2. Tap General.

  3. Tap About.

    iPad General settings with About highlighted

  4. Tap Name.

  5. Tap the x to delete the current name for your iPad and type the new one that you want.

  6. When you're finished, tap done on the keyboard. The new name you've given your iPhone or iPad will now show up in AirDrop.

    iPhone settings with new name and Done highlighted

    This name is used in all instances in which your iPad name appears, not just AirDrop. For instance, that name appears in Find My and, if you sync your device to a computer, the new name is what shows in Finder or iTunes.

How to Change Your Name in AirDrop on Mac

Changing your AirDrop name on a Mac works in much the same way that it does on a phone or tablet. Follow these steps:

This will not change your username, just your device's name.

  1. In the top left corner of the screen, click the Apple menu and then select System Settings or System Preferences.

    The macOS Apple menu

  2. Go to General > Sharing. Or, on some versions of macOS, select Sharing from the System Preferences screen.

    The general settings on a MacBook Pro

  3. Next to Name or Computer Name, delete your computer's current name and enter the new text you want to appear when using AirDrop. When you're done, you can close the window.

    The About screen on a MacBook Pro with a new name entered in the Name box

    This changes the name of the computer for all networked sharing purposes, not just AirDrop.

FAQ
  • How do I turn on AirDrop on an iPhone?

    To turn on AirDrop on an iPhone, open the Control Center and press and hold the section that displays various icons to expand it. Tap the AirDrop icon to turn on the feature. Select Contacts Only or Everyone for 10 Minutes. Or, go to Settings > General > AirDrop to turn it on.

  • How do I turn on AirDrop on a Mac?

    To turn on AirDrop on a Mac, open Finder and click Go > AirDrop. At the bottom of the window, choose who you wish your Mac to be discovered by, e.g., Contacts Only or Everyone. You can now share and receive files using AirDrop.

  • Where do AirDrop photos go?

    On an iPhone, AirDropped photos will go to your Photos app. Similarly, all files sent to you via AirDrop will be stored in their corresponding app on your iPhone. On a Mac, AirDropped files, including photos, are stored in the Downloads folder.

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