iPhone and Mac users can easily change their AirDrop name from the default device name. There can be a few reasons why an iPhone or Mac user might want to change the name, including protecting their privacy by hiding their real name or making it easier to distinguish between multiple Apple devices. Users may also simply want to use their nicknames instead of the default name.
Apple has developed many smart features over the years and most of them help to improve the overall Apple ecosystem. With the ability for so many devices to be connected to the same iCloud account, the seamless relationship between devices is of great benefit. For example, when iPhone users receive a call, they can take it on their Apple Watch, iPad, or even on their Mac. Apple has worked hard on these features, which is why the Apple Ecosystem is arguably the best out there.
Every Apple device does have its own name and it is this name that's visible to others when sharing a file through AirDrop or when sharing media through AirPlay. This name is also associated with the user's iCloud account. In addition, the device's name appears as a Wi-Fi network name when the user activates their personal hotspot. There is a default formula for Apple device names, which uses the user's name and the type of device. For example, if 'John' sets up an iPhone, it appears as ‘John's iPhone.’
Changing The Default AirDrop Name
Changing the iPhone's name is pretty straightforward. Users just need to open the Settings app and navigate to ‘General’ and then to the ‘About’ section. Users can then change their device's name by editing the ‘Name’ field. For reference, names don't have to stick with Apple's formula and can be changed to pretty much anything. However, it is worth keeping in mind that the name will be visible to others when sharing files and media. Changing the AirDrop name on an iPad or an iPod works the same way as on iPhone.
Things are slightly different when it comes to a Mac device as it is possible to change multiple names including the computer name and local hostname. To get started, users should click on the Apple menu icon and then on 'Preferences' followed by 'Sharing.' Users can then click on the lock button in the bottom-left corner to unlock this specific preferences page. Once done, the Mac name can be changed by typing the new name in the 'Computer Name' field. Within the same section of the settings, users can also change their device's hostname, which appears on the local network. While it is easy to change the AirDrop name on both iPhone and Mac, the process is slightly different.