Sometimes simple and obvious things are difficult to accomplish. Even such a simple action as renaming your iPhone may not be clear immediately. At least, I have seen a number of people asking this on different forums. Generally, Apple software is one of the best in terms of usability. Most of the aspects are well thought out and designed. Unfortunately, renaming iPhone is an exception.
It turns out that renaming your iPhone is very easy but this functionality is not apparent and visible immediately. Simply, start iTunes and double-click your phone in the DEVICES area. Most people right click the phone and then expect to see the rename command in the shortcut menu. It is a bit disappointing that we don't see a command to rename the phone in the short-cut menu. But again, double clicking does the job.
If you liked this tip, you may like to check out a post listing all of my beginner tips.
25 comments
Thanks for the simple answer. Just got the new iPhone 3GS and wanted to rename our old iPhone to something new so that we could keep them straight.
Jeff
Oh bless you!! I have never worked with anything apple before (unless we are talking fruits here) and I've had my phone 2 days when I realised I felt I landed on another planet. So this clear and easy answer was just what I needed. Thank you thank you thank you!!
Bless you!! I have never worked with anything apple before (unless we are talking fruits here) and I was starting to feel I had landed on another planet with my new phone. This clear, short and to the point answer was just what I needed. Thank you thank you thank you!!!
I'm glad you've found this post useful. Yes, that's the exact feeling one gets when first moving to Apple products. But once you get accustomed to it, you'll love it.
My saviour! I renamed my 1st Gen iPhone and have been pulling my hair out trying to remember how to do the same for my new 3GS. Thanks very much!
thanks a lot. May God bless you!
Thank you!
I wonder if Windows users have this issue more than Macboys... Right clicking to access options such as rename is second nature for Windows folks.
Thank you so much for the clear and helpful advice.
Just renamed my phone,thank you for a useful post.I must admit i was having this problem until i came across your post and the rest is history.
Just another thank you for your time, your care, and your willingness to share your knowledge.
So easy! Wow, I really feel like I put way too much effort into this.
helped a tonnnn!! thnx!!
Very useful tip.
But I disagree with your point of view about Apple software.
In my experience, Apple's usability is crippled with 'awkwardisms' such as this one.
It is not just that they do things differently than Windows. They stubbornly cultivate these differences as if it was a shame to adopt a good idea from the non-Apple world.
They have a history of trying to ignore or counteract foreign technologies and habits, to the great despair of the user.
As the time goes, they eventually adopt good foreign things, with years of delay. Be it PCI, USB, IDE/SATA, you name it.
The right mouse button (and its associated context menu) is another example of Apple's stupid protectionism and childish resistance.
Today I bought a Magic Mouse for my Mac and guess what, the right mouse button behaviour is disabled by default ! This is on the latest OS (Snow Leopard, fully updated).
Thanks so much! I did know this but had forgotten. Buggering about for 30mins before typing 'Rename my old iphone' into google. First match - well done!
Thanks! You're a lifesaver! Almost restored my iPhone to factory settings to do this!
Hey thanx. Got lazy to do it myself and didn't know how.
Life can be so simple indeed. Just doubleclicking the iPhone's name in iTunes did the job. Thanks!
Thank you! I was going nuts with all these vague "iPhones" running around!
I drove myself crazy trying to figure this one out, thank you so much!!
thanks for your help
I have renamed my iphone 4 sucessfully in itunes but can't rename it in explorer on my laptop. I'm on windows 7. When I right click on the old phone name it just won't let me change it. Any ideas?
I rejoiced when I saw your post ..but when I got into itunes, and double clicked the existing name of my iphone, it would not let me change it. As a result, my old iphone, which I want to use as an ipod (3gs) is being treated as if it were my new iphone. The two appear to be treated as one and the same device. I want different content on the old 3gs. help.
hahhah thanks
@Sunshine
The only way that I found to edit it's name in Windows explorer was to edit the registry and it was in there in several places.
:(
This is cool. Thanks
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