iPhone Name Changed by Itself? Find Out Why and Fixes

Have you ever encountered the situation where your iPhone seems to have a mind of its own, changing its name without any apparent reason?

The issue of an iPhone altering its name autonomously can be both baffling and frustrating for users. However, fear not, as this article aims to unravel the mystery behind such occurrences.

Join us as we explore the potential causes behind an iPhone renaming itself and, more importantly, discover effective fixes to regain control of your iPhone's identity.

What is iPhone name changed by itself?

Over the past few years, numerous users have reported a peculiar issue related to their iPhone name. It started off with iOS 15.4.1 and remains to this day on newer operating systems as well. However, it's not as dire as one may assume.

The recurring problem involves the iPhone automatically renaming itself by adding a number after the original iPhone name. Initially starting with names like "iPhone (1)," users have attempted to reset it back to the default "iPhone." However, the issue persists, with the number around the name changing randomly every few days.

To quickly solve the issue is to use a unique name for your device and avoid anything generic that includes the words 'phone' or 'iPhone'. To change the name of your device, follow these simple steps:

Navigate to the Settings app on your iPhone.

1. Tap on "General."
2. Scroll down and select "About."
3. Look for and tap on "Name" to access the current name of your iPhone.
4. To modify the existing name, tap the "Clear Text" button.
5. Enter the new desired name for your iPhone.
6. Once you've entered the new name, tap "Done" to save the changes.

If the problem persists, or you want to delve deeper into the causes and solutions of iPhones changing their names on their own, please continue reading.

iPhone changes its name when using Bluetooth or public Wi-Fi

When you assign a name to your iPhone, such as 'iPhone,' it tends to alter its identification in the device list when connected to Bluetooth or public Wi-Fi. This helps distinguish your phone from other connected devices. To resolve this issue, consider changing your iPhone's name to something unique, like 'David's iPhone,' for example.

One of the main reasons why this happens is to differentiate your device from any other connected devices on the same BlueTooth or Wi-Fi network. If all the connected iPhones were named 'iPhones' then managing them would be a hassle.

The number assigned to each name changes depending on when you connect to the network and if some devices left or joined later. The only reason this happens is to give your device a unique identifier as opposed to all others.

iPhone changes its name after restore

Using third-party tools, iTunes or iCloud to restore your iPhone can potentially lead to changes in the device's name. Here's how these scenarios may impact the iPhone's nomenclature:

Third-party Tools:

1. Customization Tools: Some third-party applications or tools designed for customizing or modifying iOS settings may inadvertently alter the device's name. These tools might not always adhere to Apple's standard naming conventions.
2. Incompatibility: Certain third-party tools may not be fully compatible with iOS updates, leading to unexpected changes in device settings, including the device name.

iTunes or iCloud Restoration:

1. Backup Settings: When restoring your data from an iTunes or iCloud backup, the device settings, the name of the device, and a few other things are changed when the backup is made. So if you change your device name after the backup, it will be altered.
2. Software Glitches: Similarly, some glitches during the restoration process can also change your iPhone's name without you knowing.

iPhone changes its name because of network's mDNS issue

If you've noticed peculiarities in your network's mDNS (Bonjour) implementation, fret not; it's not uncommon and can often be attributed to specific factors.

The mDNS system may encounter issues, especially when the Wi-Fi signal strength is weak, potentially causing confusion that manifests as multiple devices sharing the same name. To address this, the network adjusts the device names to resolve any conflicts and ensure smooth communication.

If the issues mentioned above are something you've been experiencing, check your router to see if it's working. Be diligent in updating its firmware so you can enjoy quality at home without it changing your iPhone's name.

You also need to check your connection for mDNS problems by first seeing if you have a private connection to your home or work Wi-Fi. In many cases, turning the private connection feature off will prevent your device's name from being changed again and again. Here's how to do it:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on the "Wi-Fi" option.
3. Once you have connected to a network, find the "More Info" button.
4. Tap the "More Info" button to learn more about the network.
5. Now find a button called "Private Wi-Fi Address"  and turn it off.

In a work setting, you should notify your network administrator about any recurring problems with the mDNS implementation. They can investigate the issue further and adjust to maintain seamless connectivity across the workplace network.

iPhone changes its name after reseting network settings?

When you reset your network settings, you also reset the iPhone's name. So, please recall whether you have reset all network settings. Here's a breakdown of how network resets are supposed to go:

1. To reset network settings entirely, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
2. This reset encompasses Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings that you've used before.

To Conclude

Well, now that you know how to prevent your iPhone from changing its name by itself, whats stopping you from having a unique name for your device? In the long run, it saves you so much hassle since a unique name isn't generically adjusted by network resets or new network connections. Plus, who wants to be known as iPhone(x) anyway, certainly not you!