With AirDrop, you can quickly transfer files wirelessly between iPhones, iPads, and Macs. The receiver will see the name of the person sending device. If you will like to change your AirDrop name, it only takes a few steps. Here’s how to do it.
Before we start, it is very important to know that your device’s AirDrop name is the same as the general device name that you might see while backing up your iPhone or iPad or in a list of devices in your iCloud account. By default, this name will be your first name and the model name, such as “Benj’s iPhone 8” or “Linda’s iPad Pro.”
How to Change the AirDrop Name on Your iPhone
AirDrop can be very useful for sharing files between your Apple devices,but that is only if you can differentiate yours from the lot that may share the same WiFi space around you. You will be required to change the name to ensure that all of the files you want to transfer go to the correct device.
In settings of your iPhone, You can change your device’s name .(Settings>General>About), but you will quickly notice that your AirDrop name is unchanged. This is because your AirDrop feature works with your contacts. So, you will need to update your contact card instead. Here’s how:
- On your iPhone, Open the Dialing app. Click on Contacts at the bottom.
- Click on the contact card at the top.
- Tap edit In the upper right corner.
- Type the name you want others to see when the AirDrop you files. Then, click Done in the upper right.
Now, when others attempt to AirDrop something to you, they will see the new name you have created. You can even add a profile picture to your Contact Card by tapping on Add Photo.
Note: It may take a while for your device to appear in others’ AirDrop selection after making these changes. If your name doesn’t appear, go to Settings>General>Reset and reset your Network Settings. Your phone will restart and appear in the sender’s AirDrop list.
How to Change Your Name in AirDrop on iPad
The steps in changing your name on AirDrop on an iPad is different from changing it on an iPhone. It does not involve changing your name in contacts. Instead, you change the name of your iPad itself (which is good; it’s definitely less disruptive than changing your contact info). Here’s what to do:
- Click Settings.
- Click General.
- Select About.
- Select Name.
- Tap the x to delete the current name for your iPad and type the new one that you want.
- When you’re done, click Done on the keyboard, tap the back arrow in the top left, or both. The new name that you’ve given your iPad will now show up in AirDrop.
This name is used in all instances in which your iPad name appears, not just AirDrop. For example, that name shows in Find My and, if you sync your iPad to a computer, the new name is what shows in Finder or iTunes.
How Do I Change My AirDrop Name on Mac?
It might be difficult for someone who owns various MacBooks and confusing to figure out which MacBook Air I am AirDropping files to. Fortunately, it is not difficult to change your MacBook name, so you can easily differentiate between devices when trying to AirDrop a file. Here’s how to change the AirDrop name on your Mac:
1. Select the Apple icon in the top-left of your screen.
2. Click System Preferences.
3. Select Sharing.
4. Next to Computer Name, you can type a new name for your Mac.
5. Your changes will save automatically. You can exit System Preferences by clicking the red circle in the upper-left corner of the window.
Remember that changing your Airdrop name can also change how your device is listed in other places since you already know how to change the AirDrop name displayed on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac, so if you use my silly “Send Me Dog Pics” example, this will be the name of your device on Find My and everywhere else as well.
In Conclusion, The steps explained above for changing your Airdrop name on all the 3 Apple devices are straightforward. I hope this guide save you from all the confusion you’d have had because of the same Airdrop names while transferring files.
