Apple Wireless Keyboard name change?

Question

Level 1

9 points

Apple Wireless Keyboard name change?

Hello. I borrowed my Apple Wireless Keyboard A1314 to my brother and when I got it back I noticed something. The name of the Bluetooth Keyboard had changed, that is, what comes up when I select the name from the list. Now it says "My brother's full name`s keyboard" and not "Apple Wireless Keyboard as before". This name appears on all my Apple devices (I only have Apple).

Not exactly a big problem as the keyboard works properly. But a little annoying. I have tried many different "tricks" without success. I can rename my Macbook and iPhone by following guides like https://www.howtogeek.com/712257/how-to-rename-a-bluetooth-device-on-your-mac/. Note that the name will be "My brother's full name`s keyboard" again if I choose to reset the keyboard to factory settings.

I have an Apple TV3 and an Ipad 4 (Retina) I can not choose the name of the Bluetooth keyboard and therefore get "My brother's full name`s keyboard". I have an iWatch that was named "My first name`s IWatch" that I could easily change.

I have also tried

1. http://isource.com/2012/03/30/how-to-rename-your-apple-wireless-keyboard

2. https://www.mac-forums.com/threads/unable-to-rename-apple-wireless-keyboard.354936/

Could the solution be that I just gave the keyboard a new "nickname" as mentioned here, and did not change the name? But how do I solve this problem? How do I change the name and not the "nickname"? https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251660290

Can anyone tell me how Bluetooth devices are named? Why does my Keyboard change from "Apple Wireless Keyboard" to "My brother's full name`s keyboard"? Has this been created by him connecting this keyboard to a device that has his name (My brother's Ipad or Mabook)? Could this name be given after he has connected this keyboard with a device associated with an Apple ID with his name?

Does anyone have a "fix" on this "first world problem"? Or do I have to hope that this fixes itself when I one day buy myself a new Apple TV and Ipad?

Thanks for all the answers!

MacBook

Posted on Sep 25, 2021 4:47 AM

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Answer 1

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,710 points

Sep 25, 2021 6:25 AM in response to ourkid81

The Bluetooth preferences by default will take the current user's plural name upon pairing with the device — if it is an Apple device, and the product name if a third-party BT device. This information is apparently stored within the devices non-volatile RAM too.

You can rename the Bluetooth device in the Bluetooth preference panel by right-clicking on the device name and choosing Rename. Uncertain if this will provide a permanent name fix, or if you need to unpair the device, power it off, and on, and then pair it again with your Mac.

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Answer 2

leroydouglas

Level 10

199,728 points

Sep 27, 2021 7:33 AM in response to ourkid81

ourkid81 wrote:

Hello. Thank you for your reply. Hope you can clarify something for me.

What do you mean by "current user»? Do you mean the name that is often found in Settings - General - About on an ipad / iphone? Often the owner's name, such as "John Smith`s ipad». Or do you mean the name of the apple id user who is currently logged in to Ipad / iphone / Macbook when you choose to connect Bluetooth accessories?

I have tried several possible fixes on this without success. I have also tried your method several times without success. Could it be as it is mentioned in the forum post regarding "nicknames". That by making your suggestion / fix you are just giving the Bluetooth accessory a new nickname on the individual device. If you connect the Bluetooth accessory to a new device that cannot create a new nickname (such as ipad or apple tv) will the "old" name reappear?

Does anyone have a fix on this? Do you just have to accept that if you connect an Apple wireless keyboard, this will eventually change its name from «Apple Wireless Keyboard» to "John Smith`s keyboard"? And that this is not reversible. Your Bluetooth accessory will be named "John Smith`s keyboard" on all devices you connect from now on?

See if there is any additional information here:

Apple bluetooth devices will NOT rename

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250736148

if no resolve you can file a bug report or you can submit your Apple Feedback http://www.apple.com/feedback

Call Customer Support (800) MY–APPLE (800–692–7753)

or on line https://getsupport.apple.com/

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Answer 3

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,710 points

Sep 27, 2021 11:39 AM in response to VikingOSX

What I meant to state was that it is likely getting the full name from the Contacts application data, and not Mail information.

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Answer 4

ourkid81 Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 27, 2021 12:05 PM in response to VikingOSX

In this case, it is highly possible. Both me and my brother who have borrowed the keyboard use the official app for e-mail (Apple Mail) and have our full names as users both here and in the contact list

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Answer 5

ourkid81 Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 26, 2021 1:22 PM in response to VikingOSX

Hello. Thank you for your reply. Hope you can clarify something for me.

What do you mean by "current user»? Do you mean the name that is often found in Settings - General - About on an ipad / iphone? Often the owner's name, such as "John Smith`s ipad». Or do you mean the name of the apple id user who is currently logged in to Ipad / iphone / Macbook when you choose to connect Bluetooth accessories?

I have tried several possible fixes on this without success. I have also tried your method several times without success. Could it be as it is mentioned in the forum post regarding "nicknames". That by making your suggestion / fix you are just giving the Bluetooth accessory a new nickname on the individual device. If you connect the Bluetooth accessory to a new device that cannot create a new nickname (such as ipad or apple tv) will the "old" name reappear?

Does anyone have a fix on this? Do you just have to accept that if you connect an Apple wireless keyboard, this will eventually change its name from «Apple Wireless Keyboard» to "John Smith`s keyboard"? And that this is not reversible. Your Bluetooth accessory will be named "John Smith`s keyboard" on all devices you connect from now on?

Reply

Answer 6

ourkid81 Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 27, 2021 11:55 AM in response to leroydouglas

Thanks for the link. Looks like people with more technological competence than me have tried to find a solution without success and that the official answer from Apple is that they have no fix on this :(

Unfortunately, I do not think Apple cares about such "small flaws"

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