How to change the name of your Airdrop

AirDrop is a feature on Apple devices that allows a sender to quickly send data to another Apple device. As long as the recipient's device is within range of the sender, AirDrop will work properly. Used to send images, screenshots, and other forms of information such as documents, this feature makes transfers quick and easy.

Through the use of Bluetooth LE technology, AirDrop can broadcast, discover, negotiate connections and point-to-point Wi-Fi to transfer your data. This allows all your photos, videos, contacts, etc. to be easily transferred to another storage area via a fast and secure connection.

For more help with AirDrop check out our other articles.

When using AirDrop to transmit data between iPhones and iPads, you might notice an abundance of other Apple IDs to choose from crowding yours. This can become a problem when every device around you has the same default name, like "iPhone" or "iPad."

Change the AirDrop name on your Apple iPhone or iPad

AirDrop can be incredibly handy for sharing files between your Apple devices, but that's only if you can differentiate yours from the many that may be sharing the same WiFi space around you. To make sure all the files you want to transfer go to the correct device, you'll need to change the name.

To change the name of your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, follow these steps:

1. Go to or press your Parameters icon of your iOS device.
2. De Parameters, head toward General.
   
3. Then press to Public chat.
   
4. Tap on the name of your device which should be the very first line on this screen.
   
5. From here you can change your device name which will be the same device name used when trying to AirDrop files on multiple devices.
   
6. When the renaming process is complete, tap the arrow to go back. There is no need to save your changes as they take effect automatically.

To change the name of your iPod classic, iPod nano, or iPod shuffle:

1. You will need to connect your iPod, regardless of version, to your computer.
2. Launch iTunes from your computer.
3. Locate and click on your device.
4. You should now see your device name located at the top of the left sidebar. Click on it.
5. Type in your new device name, which will be used for your AirDrop, then tap Enter (To recover).
   • Your device and iTunes will be automatically synced, so the new name you chose for your iPod will now be displayed on your iPod.

AirDrop for your Mac

If you want to send a document from a smaller Apple product to your iMac or Macbook, you can do it with AirDrop.

If you've ever tried to transfer data between mobile devices near your Mac, you might have noticed a device with the display name "Unknown." It was probably your Mac.

Before trying to send AirDrop data to and from your Mac, you must first give it an appropriate name. This will allow you to easily recognize it on your local network when you perform the transfer. The steps to set or change the name of a Mac are as easy and quick as on an iPhone, iPad or iPod.

To change your Mac's name to something more appropriate:

1. On your Mac, click the Apple icon in the upper left corner. Then click on System Preferences.
2. Then click Follow us!.
3. Type the name you want to use for your computer in the "Computer name" box provided to you.
4. Finally, after typing the name, simply close the window.

Now you can easily wirelessly send documents, photos, videos, websites, map locations and more to any nearby iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or other Mac using AirDrop.

That is, of course, as long as you know how to use AirDrop from your Mac. Allow me to give you a little reminder.

The first option is to share Finder content. To do this:

1. Open the Researcher And click Go > AirDrop. It's in the menu bar.
   • AirDrop can also be found in the sidebar of a Researcher the window.
   • You'll see all nearby AirDrop users right in the AirDrop window.
2. Drag one or more documents, photos or other files to the intended recipient in the window. Then, drop them directly into it.

The second option would be to use the Share feature:

1. Open the photo, document, or file you want to send.
2. Click on Share in your app (it looks like a little box with an arrow pointing up).
3. Du Share menu, choose AirDrop among the many options available.
4. Find and select a recipient in the AirDrop sheet.
   • You will have to wait for the other device I accept before the file can be sent.
5. Once the file(s) have been sent, click on Completed.

Likewise, whenever someone else on the same local network attempts to AirDrop content, it will be up to you to deny or grant their request. This request will appear as a notification as well as in the AirDrop window.

Clicking "Accept" will give you the option to save downloads or add to a specific folder such as Photos. Any data you receive on your Mac is automatically saved to your Downloads folder.

Unable to see other devices

Now you know how to change the name of your device so that it is not lost among other devices when trying to AirDrop. You even know how to do it on your Mac. But what happens when a device does not appear in the AirDrop window?

If you are trying to stream content from a device but the name of the receiving device cannot be found, you must first ensure that WiFi and Bluetooth are enabled on both devices. You will also want both devices to be within 9 feet of each other.

That's usually all that needs to be done, but there are times when the basics won't solve the problem. We will need to change the device settings.

Troubleshooting tips for iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch:

• Head to Control Center to check your AirDrop settings. If you've set up AirDrop to receive content from "Contacts Only," both the sending and receiving devices must be connected to iCloud. Also, the email address or phone number associated with the sender's Apple ID must be in the Contacts app on your iOS device.
• If you don't see the AirDrop option for the device, you may need to switch from "Contacts Only" to "Everyone" in order to be discoverable.
• Disable Personal Hotspot when trying to use AirDrop. You can disable it by going to Settings > Cellular of the recipient's iOS device.

Troubleshooting on Mac:

• Make sure AirDrop is enabled by going to Finder and clicking Go > AirDrop from the menu bar.
• Check the "Allow me to be discovered by" setting at the bottom of the AirDrop window.
• Older Macs (2012 or earlier) should click "Don't see who you're looking for?" in the AirDrop window or the share sheet of the sharing Mac. Follow this by clicking "Find an older Mac".
• If the receiving Mac is using OS X Mavericks or earlier, make sure an AirDrop window is open on that Mac: choose Go > AirDrop from the Finder menu bar.
• Make sure "Block all incoming connections" is disabled in the Security & Privacy preferences of the receiving Mac.