How to change the name of an Android device: step-by-step guide

Changing the name of your smartphone is not just a matter of aesthetics, but a useful feature for those who actively use wireless interfaces. When you connect to public Wi-Fi or transfer files via Bluetooth, other users see exactly the name that is set in the system by default. Often it looks like a dry set of characters, for example, SM-G991B or M2102J20SG, which is completely uninformative and boring.

In addition, the correct name helps to instantly identify your gadget among dozens of other devices in the office or home. Imagine a situation where you want to send a photo to a friend, and in the list of available receivers you see three phones with the same name “Android Phone”. Changing this parameter will eliminate confusion and increase security, since it will be more difficult for attackers to understand which model is in front of them.

In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods for changing the identifier on different versions of the operating system. You will learn how to rename Android a device for networks, Bluetooth pairing, and even for display when connected to a computer via a USB cable.

Why you need to rename a smartphone

The main reason lies in the ease of use of wireless technologies. When you distribute the Internet or connect to a smart speaker, the device name plays the role of a business card. Standard names assigned by manufacturers often contain technical information about the model that does not mean anything to the average user.

It is also a matter of personal safety and confidentiality. If your phone is called "Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra", any hacker within Bluetooth range will immediately know what operating system and what vulnerabilities they are dealing with. By calling the device “Calculator” or “Printer”, you can scare away the curious.

Do not forget about the banal comfort in a house with many gadgets. A smart home consisting of light bulbs, sockets and phones named “Device 1”, “Device 2” and “Unknown” turns into chaos when controlled. A clear naming system makes life easier for all family members.

• 📶 Instant identification in the lists of available Wi-Fi and Bluetooth networks.
• 🔒 Hiding the real phone model from prying eyes in public places.
• 🏠 Convenient device management in smart devices at home.

It is worth noting that changing the name does not affect the operation of applications or Internet speed. This is purely a cosmetic edit and changes how the device appears to the outside world. However, in some corporate networks, administrators can block devices with incorrect characters in the name.

Universal method through Android settings

Starting with version Android 10, Google has standardized the settings menu, making the renaming process uniform for most manufacturers. This method is the most reliable and does not require the installation of additional software. You do not need root access or access to system files.

First, you need to open the main settings menu of your gadget. The interface may differ depending on the shell, but the logic remains the same. Look for the section responsible for general information about the system or device status.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices, the name entry field may be hidden if the "Simple Interface" mode is enabled or if the phone is in guest mode. Make sure that you are using the main administrator profile.

Next, the algorithm of actions is as follows. Find "About phone" or "About device". Inside this menu there is often an "Edit" button or a pencil icon next to the current title. By clicking on it, you can enter new text.

After entering the desired name, the system will ask you to confirm the action. In some cases, a reboot will be required for the changes to take effect for all communication modules. Usually, just closing the settings menu is enough.

• 📱 Open Settings on the main screen.
• ℹ️ Scroll down and select the section About phone (or System).
• ✏️ Click on the line with the current device name.
• 💾 Enter new text and click Done or Save.

It is important to understand that this method changes the name for most services, but not always for Bluetooth. In modern versions of Android, Bluetooth settings are placed in a separate subsection, which we will discuss below.

Changing the name for Bluetooth connections

The visibility setting in Bluetooth deserves special attention, even if you have renamed the phone in general. menu, when searching for wireless headphones or a car radio, it may appear under the old name. This is due to the fact that the Bluetooth module has its own identifier settings.

To fix this, go to the Bluetooth section in the settings. Usually it is in the “Connected devices” or “Connections” group. Here you need to find the “Device name” or “Visible name” item that your friends will see when they try to pair. gadgets.

There is a nuance with cars. Some head units cache the phone name when you first connect it. If you changed the name, but in the car it remains the same, try removing the device from the radio's memory and running it. pairing again.

It is also worth remembering the limitations on length and characters. Some older Bluetooth receivers do not display emoji or Cyrillic characters correctly. If you notice crappy characters on your TV screen or in your car, try using only Latin letters.

• 🎧 Go to Settings → Bluetooth.
• ⚙️ Click on the three dots in the corner of the screen or find the item Device name.
• 🔤 Enter a new name, preferably without special characters.
• ✅ Save changes and check visibility from another gadget.

After changing the name in this section, the phone will become invisible for search for a couple of seconds, and then will appear in the list of available devices under the new brand.

Features for Samsung, Xiaomi and Huawei

Large manufacturers often modify the interface Android, adding their shells, such as One UI, MIUI or EMUI. Because of this, the path to the settings may differ from the standard. Let's look at the specifics for the most popular brands.

Owners of Samsung with the One UI shell need to be careful here the device name for Bluetooth and the phone name may be in different places. To change the common name, you need to go to "Settings" → "General" → "About phone". But for Bluetooth, the path is often through "Connections" → "Advanced settings".

Users Xiaomi (Redmi, POCO) with the MIUI or HyperOS shell often encounter even deeper account integration here. synchronized with the name in Mi Account. To change it globally, sometimes you need to go to the settings of your Mi Account and change the device name there. Path: “Settings” → “About phone” → “Device name”.

⚠️ Attention: On Huawei and Honor devices with EMUI/Magic UI shell, after updating to new versions of Android without Google services, the path may be different. move. Look for the “Device name” item directly in the top “Settings” menu, sometimes it is placed at the very top of the list of parameters.

For devices Google Pixel and Motorola running on pure Android, the process is as simplified as possible and corresponds to the universal instructions described above.

Below is a table summarizing the paths. to settings for various manufacturers:

Brand / Shell	Path to setting the name	Nuance
Samsung (One UI)	Settings → General → About phone	Separate setting for Bluetooth
Xiaomi (MIUI/HyperOS)	Settings → About phone → Device name	Linked to Mi Account
Huawei (EMUI)	Settings → System → About phone	Often requires a reboot
Google Pixel	Settings → About phone	Changes everywhere at once

If you do not find the desired item in the specified paths, use the search inside the settings. Enter the word "Name" in the search menu bar, and the system itself will highlight the desired section.

Rename when connecting to a PC (USB)

When you connect your smartphone to a computer via a USB cable to transfer files, Windows displays the device name in "My Computer". Often users want to change it too, so as not to be confused between "Phone (1)" and "Phone (2)".

In most cases, the name that the computer sees is taken from the general system name of the device that we changed. in the first sections. However, if you use the USB “Charge Only” operating mode or specific drivers, the computer may see the default model name.

To be sure to change the display in Windows, sometimes you need to switch the USB mode. Connect your phone, pull down the notification shade, tap the USB Charging notification, and select File Transfer (MTP). After this, the computer will re-read the identification data.

There is also a way to change the name through the Windows registry if you need the phone to be called differently on your computer. To do this, you need to find your phone in the device manager, open properties and find Hardware Ids in the “Details” tab, but this is already a level of advanced PC setup.

In this case, clearing hidden devices in the task manager or simply renaming the shortcut in “My Computer” will help (although this will not change the real name, only the shortcut).

Using ADB for advanced users

For those who are not afraid of the command line, there is a way to change the device name globally through the Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method allows you to make changes to system tables that may not be accessible through the normal interface. This is especially true for custom firmware or older devices.

First, you need to enable “Developer Mode” (click on the build number 7 times in “About phone”) and activate “USB Debugging”. Then connect your phone to a PC with ADB installed.

adb shell settings put global bluetooth_name "NewName"

This command will change the name used for Bluetooth pairings at the system level. However, you should be careful: incorrect use of ADB commands can lead to system instability. Always make backup copies of important data before tampering with system settings.

What to do if the command does not work?

Make sure that the RSA key request confirmation appears on the phone screen. Without confirmation of access from the phone, the computer will not be able to send the command. Also check whether the ADB Interface driver is installed in the Windows Device Manager.

There are also more complex commands for changing net.hostname, but they require root access and overwriting the file build.prop, which we strongly do not recommend for beginners to do, as this can lead to a bricked device or problems with launching applications (especially banking).

Using ADB is justified if standard methods do not work or if you are automating the setup of a fleet of dozens of identical devices. For the average user, standard interface tools are sufficient.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Can I use emoji in the device name?

Technically, Android allows the use of emoji and special characters. However, many devices (especially Windows PCs, older TVs and car stereos) may display them incorrectly, showing boxes or question marks. For maximum compatibility, it is better to use letters and numbers.

Does changing the name affect the operation of Google Pay or banking applications?

No, changing the user name of the device does not in any way affect the operation of financial applications, the NFC module, or the security of transactions. These systems use internal unique identifiers that do not change when renamed.

Why does the name not change after a reboot?

If the name is reset after a reboot, it may be synchronized with the manufacturer's account (Samsung Account, Mi Account). Try changing the name in the account settings itself or disable device name synchronization in the cloud.

Will my contacts see the new phone name?

No, your contacts in the phone book do not see the name of your device. They only see your phone number. The new name will only be visible when connected via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct, or when transferring files via cable.

Is it possible to make the device name completely invisible?

You cannot make the device completely invisible for search, as this will disrupt the operation of communication protocols. However, you can enable the "Invisible" mode in the Bluetooth settings, then the phone will not appear in the search for others, but previously paired devices will be able to connect.