How to Rename Bluetooth Devices in Windows 11

Why Rename Your Bluetooth Device?

Custom names make it much easier to tell devices apart, especially when you own several similar items such as two pairs of headphones or a few speakers. A name like “Office Keyboard” or “Gym Earbuds” saves you from guessing which model number belongs to which gadget.

Before you start, make sure the device is paired with your PC. Turn it on and keep it nearby. Most renaming methods work best when the device is connected, and some options stay greyed out or missing while it is switched off.

What Happens When You Rename Your Device?

When you rename a Bluetooth 🔷 device in Windows 11, your computer stores a new nickname for it. Only you can see that nickname, and only on that specific PC.

• Your phone, another laptop, or the device’s companion app will still show the original factory name.
• The name is stored by Windows, not by the headphones, mouse, or speaker, so a factory reset of the device does not change what Windows shows.
• If you remove the device and pair it again, Windows may go back to the factory name. Be ready to rename it once more.

🪟 Windows 11 22H2/23H2 UI Changes: The Redirection Issue

Newer Windows 11 versions, such as 22H2 and 23H2, may send you to the Settings app ⚙️ instead of the older Devices and Printers window when you try to manage Bluetooth 🔷 devices. You can open the device list in Settings under Bluetooth 🔷 & devices > Devices.

The Settings app does not always offer a rename option, and what you see can vary by Windows 11 build. If you cannot find one for your device, that is normal. Use the Control Panel method below, which works on both Home and Pro editions.

How to Rename a Bluetooth Device in 🪟 Windows 11

If the Settings app does not let you rename your device, you can still use the legacy Control Panel or the Registry Editor. Try the Control Panel first. It is safer and easier to undo. The Registry Editor is a last resort, so follow those steps carefully.

Method 1Using the Legacy Control Panel

Renaming a Bluetooth device in the older Control Panel means finding it under View devices and printers. In short, the route is Control Panel › Hardware and Sound › Devices and Printers.

Once the device is listed, right-click it and choose Properties. On the Bluetooth tab you can type a new name, then click OK or Apply. If the device is not listed or the name box is greyed out, turn the device on, reconnect it, and open the window again. To undo the change, repeat the steps and type the original name.

Method 2Using the Registry Editor (Advanced)

Registry Editor (a database for low-level system settings) lets you rename Bluetooth devices in Windows 11 at the system level when the standard Settings app fails to update the name. To use this method, you open the registry database, locate the specific folder for your paired hardware, and manually edit the name value stored inside.

Be careful here. Wrong edits in the registry can cause problems. Before you change anything, back up the key: right-click the Devices key and choose Export, or use File › Export You also need to be signed in as an administrator. Windows protects the Bluetooth keys, so on some systems you may not be allowed to edit them at all. The Name value is usually stored as binary data rather than plain text, so you may need to enter the new name in that format. If you are not comfortable with that, stick to the Control Panel method.

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter. If Windows asks for permission, click Yes. Registry Editor opens.
2. Navigate to this path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\BTHPORT\Parameters\Devices. You should now see a list of folders, one for each Bluetooth device that has been paired with this PC.
3. Look for the folder that matches your device's unique ID. The folder names are the devices' Bluetooth addresses, not their friendly names. If you are unsure which one is yours, click each folder and check its values on the right.
4. Double-click the Name entry and type your new name. Click OK to save it. If Windows says it cannot edit the value, the key is protected and you should use another method.
5. Restart your computer to apply the changes. After you sign back in, open Bluetooth & devices and check that the new name appears. To undo the change, edit the value back, or import the backup you exported earlier.

Summary

Renaming your Bluetooth devices in Windows 11 keeps your connected gadgets organized and easy to identify on your PC. Start with the Settings app, move to Control Panel if the option is missing, and use the Registry Editor only if you need to and have a backup. Remember that the new name is local to this PC. Other devices, and the hardware itself, keep the original name.