Bluetooth Device Name Change

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Bluetooth Device Name Change

And I do mean "Device Name".

Trying to figure out how to change the device name for a bluetooth device. Now, I know how to change the display name. Select the device in Bluetooth Preferences, click the Gears, and select "Rename." Which is fine. But when you examine the info for the device, their are two names: A "Name" at the top and then a "Display Name."

How do you change the display name? I picked up a refurb trackpad and it still has the previous owners name, Aaron, in the Name block. I can change the Display name to John easy, but I am confounded by the device name.

I tried removing the trackpad, dumping the BT prefs in the library and repairing. Doesn't work.

I even pair it to a Win7 laptop, changed the name there, but Aaron remain when I take it back to the Mac.

So how do you change BOTH names? Is their a way to reset a Trackpad back to factory?

Trackpad-OTHER, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Jan 16, 2013 5:05 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Malcolm J. Rayfield

Level 7

22,945 points

Jan 16, 2013 8:35 PM in response to 68TARDIS

Select the trackpad in the left column of Bluetooth system preference, click the gear at the bottom of the column, and select "Rename"

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Answer 2

68TARDIS Author

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Jan 17, 2013 3:38 AM in response to Malcolm J. Rayfield

I don't think you read my problem. In BT system prefs, if you click on the device and show info: you see that a device has TWO names. A Name and a Display Name. The Rename option you suggest only changes the Display Name. I need to change the actual device name which still shows the previous owner.

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Answer 3

Jan 17, 2013 9:02 AM in response to 68TARDIS

Both names changed when I used "Rename". If you select "Show More Info" below the "Rename" option it will add "Update Name". You could try that. It wasn't needed on my system. You could also try "Update Services".

Whar does it show for "Last Name Update"?

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Answer 4

68TARDIS Author

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Jan 17, 2013 5:50 PM in response to Malcolm J. Rayfield

I tried the update name function. It does nothing. Ii even tried loging as root to see if that helps. Nope. I can only change the display name. Not the name at the top. It is still a prior owner's name. Even tried to change it on a windows machine but that didn't carry over either. I want this guys name gone.

The Last Name Update has today's date. Any other ideas? There should be a way to erase the trackpad.

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Answer 5

68TARDIS Author

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Jan 17, 2013 7:58 PM in response to 68TARDIS

Ok, I solved it. I edited the Bluetooth .plist to remove the offending name. That worked. But come on Apple, that shouldn't be this hard.

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Answer 6

JM128

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Feb 26, 2013 11:00 PM in response to 68TARDIS

Hi I have the same problem, want to know how you edited the plist file?

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Answer 7

Feb 27, 2013 7:06 AM in response to JM128

Dude you'll need to go to "Macintosh HD>Library>Preferences" and looking for a file name "com.apple.Bluetooth.plist"

I've got exactly same problem, try this solution and it's work!

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Answer 8

JM128

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Feb 27, 2013 8:32 AM in response to Thanayu Thanakitworawat

Well I was tired of finding a fix online and ended up calling Apple Care…

Here's is what did the trick:

1. drag the "com.apple.Bluetooth.plist file" and the other 2 .plist files (com.apple.BluetoothXXXX.plist) to your desktop

2. shut down your Mac

3. turn it back on, and quickly press "command+option+p+r", HOLD until there comes the second and third "startup sound"

4. login and rename the magic mouse as usual under Bluetooth preferences

5. dump the old "com.apple.Bluetooth.plist" from your desktop into trash and move the other two .plists back to their original location

Well it worked for me~

Hope this works for those who couldn't find a clue on how to fix the issue (I tried editing the "com.apple.Bluetooth.plist" but couldn't fix it, that's why I had to call Apple Care, you might have to try this if you have no luck editing the "com.apple.Bluetooth.plist" file…)

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Answer 9

Mar 13, 2013 7:18 PM in response to JM128

It works for me!

However, I found the name can only be updated once.

If you change the name again, only Display Name will be updated.

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Answer 10

JM128

Level 1

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Mar 13, 2013 7:43 PM in response to Christopher C. S. Ke

Great to hear that it works for you! Maybe you'll have to repeat the process when changing it the second time.

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Answer 11

Apr 6, 2014 11:40 PM in response to Malcolm J. Rayfield

Malcolm J. Rayfield

100% Best Answer

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Answer 12

Nov 1, 2014 4:03 AM in response to 68TARDIS

In Yosemite,

1. Open the Bluetooth Preferences by choosing either Menu Bar; [Bluetooth icon], "Bluetooth Preferences" or by selecting Menu Bar; [Apple icon]; System Preferences...; "Bluetooth"

2. Hold down the CNTRL key and select your mouse or other bluetooth device...

3. Choose "Rename"...

Not terribly obvious for grandma or first time apple users, but I applaud the clean interface.

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