Changing your AirDrop name on your Apple device is easily done through your various system settings. No matter which mobile devices you use, updating your name is fast and easy. We’ll go through all the steps, so you know exactly what to do. In the meantime, if you want more iPhone tips, here’s how to schedule a text message on an iPhone.
What is AirDrop?
AiDrop is a feature on Apple devices, such as your iPhone or iPad. It allows you to share data with other Apple devices by using the same Wi-Fi network and Bluetooth technology. There is a catch, generally these devices must be close to each other to be successful, but under this circumstance AirDrop lets users share locations, documents, and photos with each other.
There are certain conditions that must be met in order to successfully AirDrop data to another person:
They must both be on the same Wi-Fi
Bluetooth must be turned on
Personal Hotspot must be turned off
You must have the other person’s contact information and have the permissions set accordingly. You can receive AirDrop from Contacts but they’ll need your Apple ID’s email address or cell number in your contact card for it to work.
If you’re not one of their Contacts, you can set the AirDrop settings to receive from “Everyone.”
Apple users can share and receive Apple files and data through iPhones, iPads, iPods, and even their Mac computer.
How to change your AirDrop name on iPhones
Changing your name on AirDrop can make it a great deal easier for other users to find you, as it can make you stand out better. The default names that come with your iPhone won’t be nearly as effective in setting you apart. One thing to know is that changing your iPhone name via the Settings “About,” section won’t actually change your AirDrop name. This must be done through Contacts. Here are the steps:
Tap the Phone app on your iPhone
Tap on the Contacts app icon
Tap and open the “My Card,” icon on the top left corner of the screen
Tap “Edit,” on the upper right corner
Enter or replace the information in the various text boxes. This includes first and last name, company, email, even your photo if you choose to include it.
Tap “Done,” to save your changes.
Your new AirDrop name should now show up when other Apple devices try to AirDrop something to you. If not, you can go to “Settings,” then “General,” then “Reset,” then “Reset Network Settings.” This will nudge your iPhone to refresh its AirDrop sender’s list.
How to change your AirDrop name on your iPad
Changing your AirDrop name on iPads is a little different than it is for your phone. Still, it’s fast and easy, regardless. Here are the steps:
Open the device’s Settings app
Tap “General”
Tap “About”
In the About menu, tap “Name”
You can change your AirDrop name here and save the changes by tapping “Done”
Note, the changes should appear faster on your iPad than on your iPhone so you probably won’t need to do any nudging to refresh the AirDrop list.
How to change AirDrop name on iPods
As of 2022, Apple has decided to stop making iPods, saying that the advancements of the iPhone has rendered it less useful. Still, there are plenty of people who still have their iPods and if you’re one of them, here’s how to change your AirDrop name:
Connect the iPod to your computer
Start iTunes from your computer
Click on the device to see the display name
Click on the display name
Type your new AirDrop name and press Enter
The iPod will sync with iTunes automatically and your iPod will soon show your new name
How to change your AirDrop name on Mac: 2 ways
Another Apple device you’ll likely need to update your AirDrop name on is your Mac. It’s luckily just as simple as it was on other such Apple products, though it may be slightly different depending on the model of Mac you’re using. Here’s the first way:
Find and click the Apple logo on the upper left of the screen
Click System Preferences, depending on which model of Mac you own
Click Sharing
This will open up text fields, including “Computer Name.” You’ll fill in this field to update, not only your AirDrop name, but your computer name for all sharing situations. This name change will save automatically.
From there, simply close out the menu by clicking X
Second method to Change your AirDrop name on MacBook
Click on the Apple icon on the upper left of your screen
Select System Settings
Scroll down to find the General section and click to open up the General menu
Click “About”
There will be a Name field with general Apple id for your system. You can delete this and replace it with something more unique and recognizable. This way, when you transfer files to some other device, the other user can identify you much more easily.
Your changes will again save automatically, though you may need to restart your Mac to have your new AirDrop name to take effect. Just remember, this change may also appear in other places your device is listed, not just AirDrop.
From there, you can select if you want to turn off Receiving, have it in Contacts only mode, or allow Everyone for 10 minutes.
Another way to access AirDrop is through your Control Center, which you can get to by swiping down from your home screen. For more logistics on how to use AirDrop, here’s the iPhone guide to using AirDrop.
What can I send over AirDrop?
Airdrop is incredibly handy to send files and such to other devices. Here is a list of some of the options you can send:
Photos
Locations
Videos
Websites
Files
Passkeys and Passwords
Text messages
Pinned locations in Apple Maps
Playlists
Contact information
Is AirDrop safe to use?
The answer to this is…safe-ish. A lot of this depends on your personal security practices and how well you keep your privacy controls up to date. Here’s some background. In the past, Apple had a pretty significant risk via AirDrop in regard to user privacy and data. Here’s a great article from Forbes about an AirDrop security flaw in 2019. It seems that, since then, Apple has tried to tighten their safety measures. For instance, now the default is “contacts only,” mode, which helps lessen who has access to AirDrop request you. Also, this peer-to-peer connection uses encryption and identity hashes created by using email addresses and phone numbers associated with the user’s Apple id. This helps be sure that you’re only AirDropping with the person you’re intending to. The requirement of being within 30 feet of the person you’re exchanging files with is another way of keeping you safe.
Besides these tactics, you can turn off AirDrop completely, only using it as needed, which adds a good layer of prevention. Other ways to protect yourself include only sharing data that isn’t overly sensitive and making sure your settings, contacts, and devices are regularly checked for accuracy and are set the way you prefer them. Lastly, Apple ios frequently comes out with security updates whenever they discover vulnerabilities. Usually they have pop up alerts, telling you to download these. Don’t ignore this. Regardless of what system, most tech giants have unknown security vulnerabilities that rear their ugly heads out of the blue. Keeping up to date with your operating system ensures you have the latest patches and fixes for these situations. Apple, especially, has been pushing a lot of these out lately, so stay on top of it.
If you’re using your iPhone or iPad, AirDrop files go to the app that correlates with their file type. For instance, photos will go into your photos, contacts to contacts, notes to notes, etc. Be sure to check in the expected location once the transfer is complete. It should be sent and saved in that location automatically but you’ll want to be sure.
For your Mac, these files will go to your Downloads folder. Regardless of the Apple device you’re using, be sure to have AirDrop enabled first or it won’t work.
Tamal is a freelance writer at AddictiveTips. After gaining substantial experience in technology, finance, and business processes in his previous job in an IT consulting company, he adopted writing as a full-time profession 3 years ago. While not writing about the latest technology, he loves to play COD and binge-watch
