How to rename paired Bluetooth devices within Android

Do you own a JBL Go? As soon as someone else is near you with a JBL Go and you try to connect to your device on your smartphone, you have a problem. Unless.. you make sure to change the name of your Bluetooth device. That is very easily done.

Rename your Bluetooth device

Not many people know that it is possible: change the name of the Bluetooth connection from a certain device. You can then more easily recognize a headset, in-ears, a speaker or a car accessory, because you have given it a recognizable name. You don’t necessarily have to call them ‘JBL Go VAN LAURA’ (or your own name might be more convenient), but you could also opt for a funny name.

Think of people who call their wifi Pretty Fly for a Wifi or Wifi Soerjadi, for example. For example, name your Bluetooth noise canceling earbuds ‘Finally peace’ or ‘Not for a while’ and choose ‘No WiFi’ or ‘Vibrator’ if you want to have fun. Or come up with something that is really funny. Please note: only you see that name, so it is not the case that you change the Bluetooth name of the device itself, you only change on your smartphone which name your phone links to a known Bluetooth device.

Dive into Android Settings

But how do you go about that, changing the name of the Bluetooth of a certain device? You do that within the Android Settings. This is how you get started:

1. Make sure your Bluetooth is on
2. Go to Settings on your Android phone
3. Then choose ‘Bluetooth’ (or first ‘Connections’ and then ‘Bluetooth’)
4. You will then see a list of paired devices
5. On some devices you then have to tap ‘settings’ per device or tap directly on the device of which you want to change the name
6. Tap on ‘Device name’ and a pop-up will open with which you can change the name
7. Enter the desired name and tap ‘Save’
8. Now the name of that Bluetooth connection has been changed

blue tooth

Many phones don’t show ‘rename’ anywhere, so you just have to tap the connection name to change it. It almost seems like you’re doing something secretly, because it’s not indicated at all. Yet it is possible and allowed, because you only change the name that your phone displays when you turn on your Bluetooth and look for connections with known devices. So nobody sees your funny or handy name, which is a shame, isn’t it?

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